New electronic signature rule speeds up online conveyancing – Ian Silverblatt quoted in Property Week

Ian Silverblatt, Partner in our Real Estate & Construction team, was quoted by Property Week on 6 August 2020.  As of 27 July, the HM Land Registry will accept witnessed electronic signatures on deeds.

Ian comments on the delay of the introduction of electronic signatures 

The block seems to have been the Land Registry's natural concerns about fraud"

and the potential impact that digitising the process may have

If someone says "I didn't sign that", you can go and find the witness, so there is an element of human contact, which you need to give confidence in the process…But perhaps as the technology develops that will be less of an issue"

The full article by Property Week can be viewed here.

Further information

Should you have an queries regarding the issues raised in this news item please contact Ian or any member of  our Real Estate & Construction team.

About the author

Ian is a Partner in our Real Estate & Construction team.  He has considerable experience in most areas of commercial and residential real estate work. Ian acts for UK and overseas clients, but with a particular focus on investment acquisitions and disposals, corporate lettings and real estate finance.