The Land Registry has acknowledged (Landnet Publication No. 9) that electronic conveyancing would require the use of the Internet. The Registry states that this can be done 'without compromising security'.

The Registry's assertion is made regardless of the fact that hardly a week goes by without some fresh Internet virus or hacking crisis being reported; and it is well known that despite having spent vast sums on attempted security solutions, numerous businesses, most banks and even the Pentagon have been subject to viruses, worms, phishing, pharming, spyware, keylogging, serious loss of use and fraud. Internet bank fraud for example has been reported as having reached epidemic proportions, and many banks have been hit by the recent Troj/BankAsh-A virus.


The object of e-conveyancing is simultaneous registration of title on completion day; surely this modest advantage is not worth having if, as is very probable, the way is thereby opened to serious fraud.


The Registry should explain how it will tackle this issue and why it believes it can overcome the sort of security breaches that even the banks, with enormous resources at their disposal, are unable to prevent.




PR Hemelryk, Moore Brown & Dixon Solicitors, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire