The Land Registry’s New Digital Standards - What They Mean for Conveyancers

Introduction

The Land Registry has now published its new digital identity standards, a stated aim of which is to improve the accuracy in verifying the parties to a conveyancing transaction.

The standards have been developed following public consultation, including with the Law Society, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers and the Chartered Institute for Legal Executives.

The standards are underpinned by HMLR’s belief that ‘cryptographic and biometric checking of identity’ now provide effective and safe ways to verify a client’s identity, thereby providing a viable alternative to more traditional forms of paper documentation.

The Land Registry also states that if conveyancers meet the standards, ‘there is no longer any risk of HM Land Registry seeking recourse for negligence in identity checking.’

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• How COVID-19 accelerated preparations for the standards
• The objectives behind the standards
• Why digital ID verification is considered (by some) to be more reliable and secure than traditional documentary checks
• New Land Registry practice guidance on the standards
• HMLR’s digital mortgage safeguards
• What the Law Society says about digital verification
• Do the standards satisfy lenders’ ID requirements?
• The likelihood of practitioner resistance/scepticism
• The Cabinet Office’s Good Practice Guide

This webinar was recorded on 3rd June 2021