MJP Conveyancing Welcomes the Land Registry’s New Qualified Electronic Signature Scheme

Buying a home is exciting, but it can also feel like a whirlwind of forms, signatures, and deadlines. At MJP Conveyancing, we know that paperwork delays are one of the biggest frustrations for buyers.

That is why we are following the Land Registry’s launch of its Qualified Electronic Signature scheme with great interest and why we are keen to make it part of our service for you as soon as possible.

What is a Qualified Electronic Signature?

A Qualified Electronic Signature is the most secure form of electronic signature available. It is issued by a government-approved Qualified Trust Service Provider, but only after your identity has been confirmed using strict checks  usually including video verification of you holding your ID.

Legally, a Qualified Electronic Signature is exactly the same as signing a document with pen and paper.

In other words:

• Same legal protection as a traditional signature
• No need for printing, scanning, or posting documents
• No need for a witness to watch you sign

How This Could Help You as a Homebuyer

Here is what the scheme could mean in practice when it is available:

• No last-minute scrambles for witnesses
  Imagine you are away for work and your solicitor emails you a contract to sign. Right now, you would need to find someone to witness your signature in person  often at short notice. With a Qualified Electronic Signature, you simply verify your identity online and sign from your laptop or phone.
• Faster moving dates
  Today, some signed documents still need to be posted or scanned before they can be sent to the Land Registry. That can add days to the process. With a Qualified Electronic Signature, the signed document can be lodged with the Land Registry almost immediately meaning exchange or completion could happen sooner.
• Increased security
  Paper documents can be lost in the post or intercepted. A Qualified Electronic Signature uses advanced encryption to lock your signature and prevent any tampering giving you extra peace of mind.
• Sign from anywhere
  Whether you are at home, abroad, or even on holiday, you can still sign your property documents securely.
• Better for the environment
  Less printing, less postage, and fewer trips to sign papers mean a smaller carbon footprint.

Why MJP Conveyancing is looking to Offer This

We have always been early to embrace technology that benefits our clients. Our secure online case tracking and digital ID verification are now standard parts of our service.

The Land Registry’s Qualified Electronic Signature scheme is the next step forward. While we are not yet using it, we are actively preparing so we can introduce it quickly and seamlessly when the time is right.

We believe it will:

• Speed up transactions
• Make signing simpler for you
• Increase security at every stage of the process

Looking Ahead

As the scheme becomes more widely available, we will be ready to guide you through it  step by step. It will not replace the personal service we offer, but it will make the signing stage of buying your home faster, easier, and safer.

MJP Conveyancing getting you moving, and keeping conveyancing moving forward.