HM Land Registry has taken a decisive step towards all-digital conveyancing by inviting solicitors and others to start submitting applications that include documents authenticated with so-called qualified electronic signatures. The move follows several years of investigations of the technology for witness-free signatures. 

Qualified electronic signatures are digital signatures complying with the 2014 EU’s eIDAS regulation, adopted in the UK under the  eIDAS Regulation (UK eIDAS). They are signatures authenticated by third-party 'trust services providers' approved by the Information Commissioner's Office.  

Removing the need for a third party to witness the execution of a deed, replacing this step with a secure electronic signature, creates 'greater flexibility and simplicity for all', the registry said. It is 'keen to support interested lawyers, their clients and lenders, as the property market increasingly looks towards the new signature technology for the benefits it offers them and their clients'.

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Announcing the move, Andy Roddy, deputy director – digital services at HM Land Registry, said: 'We are excited to enable our customers the option to use qualified electronic signatures in their land registration applications. This marks another major step forward in our ongoing digital transformation, as we keep pace with – and meet the needs of – our most technologically advanced customers. We hope all of our customers will be able to benefit from this new and valuable technology.'

Anyone interested in using the technology should email  QES@landregistry.gov.uk.