The ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19) sector-specific guidance: conveyancers’, published last week, sets out how the legal aspects of home moving can take place while complying with social distancing measures and Public Health guidance. It has been drawn up by the Law Society, the Society of Licensed Conveyancers, CILEx, the Bold Legal Group and the Conveyancing Association.
The guide covers the use of electronic and wet ink signatures, ‘Mercury’ style (virtual) execution, ID verification, witnessing and simultaneous exchange and completion. It offers advice on meeting with clients, taking initial instructions, amending undertakings, executing documents, exchanging contracts and dealing with lenders.
Simon Davis, President of the Law Society, said: ‘It will be important for conveyancers and buyers and sellers to remain flexible as the position may change suddenly.
‘Local lockdowns might be imposed that might affect some transactions.’
