05 May 2020
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Land Registry is accepting deeds signed using the Mercury signing approach from 4 May.
A signature page must be signed in pen and witnessed in person. This is then scanned or photographed to produce a JPEG or PDF. Each party sends a single email to their conveyancer with the final agreed copy of the document and the copy of the signed signature page.
The Registry has also significantly expanded the professions of people who can verify identity, now including retired conveyancers, chartered legal executives, solicitors and barristers, doctors, dentists, vets, police officers, teachers, MPs, accountants and bank officials.
