They were submitted by conveyancer, The Partnership, using SignIT from InfoTrack using electronic signature software and involved the vendor signing the deeds alongside a witness.
Peter Ambrose, CEO at The Partnership explained the significance of the event. He said: “For us at The Partnership, who for years have offered a truly online approach with our client portal, this isn’t just a historic moment for the conveyancing profession, it also allows us to streamline the process and offer a truly digital experience from start to finish.”
He added: “It has been a long time coming but recent events make this a must for law firms. I am very confident in the security levels provided.
“The technology acts as a witness and the certificates issued upon signing demonstrate a security you just don’t get with wet signatures.”
‘Quick and easy’
According to the client who made the signature, the process was ‘really quick and easy’.
Jeremy Elkes said: “I did everything on my phone and it only took a few minutes – it was so much easier and quicker than having to print out the form, sign it and post it to my lawyer.
“I also like the fact that I had both a text message and an email because that made it feel secure.”
According to the team at InfoTrack, which created SignIT, it had been offering the service for a number of years but during lockdown, when it became essential for law firms, it invested in a number of enhancements.
As such, the firm experienced a 400% increase in usage during May. Following the Land Registry announcement it moved quickly to build a solution with The Partnership.
Scott Bozinis, CEO at InfoTrack said: “There has been a marked shift in the market where firms are now looking at smarter cost savings. SignIT, and our new Client Onboarding Solution, is growing rapidly as clients look to improve their bottom line with less paper, printing and postage while, at the same time, avoid delays in sending and receiving documents without the need to see the client in person.”
