Paperless conveyancing could become a reality sooner than expected.
Officials at the Law Commission are working on plans to expand the government’s E-Commerce Bill, bringing forward the time when exchange of contracts, searches and completions could all take place on-line.
“It is an option that is being considered”, a source close to the Commissioners told EGi. “At the moment the Bill contains a power enabling things done in writing to be done on e-mail. But it is quite restrictive.” Commissioners hope to extend the Bill so that electronic conveyancing would be covered.
The alternative would be to include it in the already long and complex Land Registration Bill, which was not mentioned in last week’s Queen’s Speech. If the government chooses that route, keyboard conveyancing could still be some way off.
References: EGi News 25/11/99
