ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES
By Nicola Laver
HM Land Registry has announced it will accept witnessed electronic signatures from 27 July after gathering feedback from the sector. This practice involves the conveyancer uploading the deed to an online platform which sends a link to the signatories. New practice guidance has also been published. Land Registry, which is already accepting deeds signed using the Mercury signing approach, is now considering introducing qualified electronic signatures and is also looking at digital identity checking technology. Further discussions with the sector are ongoing. 27 July 2020