The property market has moved decisively into the digital age, but conveyancing hasn’t always kept pace. While buyers can view properties online, arrange mortgages digitally, and transfer deposits electronically, the final signing stage has historically remained frustratingly analogue.  

That is now changing. With HM Land Registry’s full acceptance of eiDAS Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), digital conveyancing has reached a turning point.  For property lawyers, QES is no longer a “nice to have”, it is fast becoming essential. 

The Hidden Costs of Traditional Signature Delays 

Consider a typical £500,000 property transaction. Under traditional methods, completion can be delayed by days or even weeks while parties coordinate witness availability, postal schedules, and physical meetings. These delays don’t just frustrate clients – they introduce genuine financial risk. 

Market conditions can change daily. Interest rates may shift. Chains are more likely to collapse when transactions drag on unnecessarily. With the average property transaction taking around 16 weeks from offer to completion, every additional delay increases the likelihood of failure. 

As Mev Dzihic, CTO at Lawtech, explains: 

“The traditional witnessing process creates unnecessary friction in what should be seamless digital transactions.”  

The witness requirement alone can add between 3-7 days to critical completion deadlines, particularly when dealing with overseas clients, elderly parties, or time-poor professionals. 

Security That Actually Protects High-Value Property Transactions 

Property fraud remains a serious issue in the UK, with losses estimated at £220 million annually.  Criminal methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and traditional wet signatures, even when witnessed, offer limited protection against professional forgery.  

A witnessed signature only confirms that someone was present. It doesn’t conclusively prove who signed the document. 

eiDAS Qualifies Electronic Signatures fundamentally change this. QES is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature, but with far stronger safeguards. Each signature is cryptographically linked to the signer’s verified identity, creating a tamper-proof audit trail.   

The QES process includes biometric identity verification, document integrity checks, and comprehensive evidential records. In legal disputes, QES validity cannot be challenged lightly – the burden of proof rests with anyone claiming the signature is invalid.  

For high-value conveyancing transactions, this level of security isn’t just preferable, it is rapidly becoming the standard clients expect. 

Meeting Modern Client Expectations in Conveyancing 

Today’s property buyers expect digital experiences that are fast, secure and intuitive. They routinely sign employment contracts, open bank accounts, and make major financial decisions online.  

Beyond that backdrop, being asked to attend a physical meeting or coordinate witnesses at the final stage of a property transaction feels outdated. 

HM Land Registry’s adoption of QES reflects this shift, enabling faster, more accessible completions. Transactions that once took days or weeks to finalise can now be completed in hours, or even minutes, with signers able to complete the process securely from their home or office.  

This also improves accessibility. International buyers, clients with mobility challenges, those in remote locations, and busy professionals can all complete property transactions without logistical barriers. The result is a smoother client experience and, critically, fewer dealings falling through due to avoidable delays.  

The Competitive Advantage for Law Firms is Clear 

Law firms adopting Qualified Electronic Signatures are not simply modernising how they are differentiating themselves in a competitive market.  

Early adopters report streamlined workflows, faster document processing and a reduced administrative burden, all while maintaining high levels of compliance and signer assurance. 

For conveyancing practices, this means: 

  • Faster completions 
  • The ability to handle more transactions with existing resources 
  • A more compelling, premium service offering 

 

The eSign365 Advantage 

Not all QES solutions are the same. eSign365 is purpose-built for the legal sector, designed to specifically support the complexities of modern conveyancing.  

Developed with legal professionals and aligned with regulatory bodies such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority and HM Land Registry, eSign365 delivers fully compliant eIDAS Qualified Electronic Signatures from day one. 

Unlike generic e-signature platforms adapted for legal use, eSign365 integrates seamlessly across the conveyancing journey – from onboarding through to completion. Clients can sign securely in minutes rather than days, while law firms benefit from faster turnaround times, reduced administrative effort, and confidence that every signature meets the highest legal and regulatory standards. 

As Mev Dzihic puts it: 

“eSign365 transforms signing from a completion barrier into a competitive advantage, enabling law firms to deliver enterprise-grade security with consumer-friendly simplicity.” 

Implementation Made Simple 

For many firms, perceived complexity has historically been a barrier to adopting Qualified Electronic Signatures. In practice, those barriers have largely disappeared.  

Modern QES platforms integrate seamlessly with existing case management systems, require minimal training, and are designed to fit naturally into established conveyancing workflows. Implementation can typically be achieved without disrupting live matters, supported by onboarding guidance and ongoing technical support, 

HM Land Registry itself is actively encouraging solicitors to adopt QES technology as part of its wider digital transformation. To support firms making the transition, it has even established a dedicated contact point at QES@landregistry.gov.uk , reinforcing just how central Qualified Electronic Signatures have become for the future of conveyancing.  

The Bottom Line 

eiDAS Qualified Electronic Signatures are not simply about keeping pace with digital trends. They address the core demands of modern conveyancing, security, speed, and service quality. 

Firms that implement QES now can complete transactions faster, reduce fraud risk, and deliver client experiences that build trust and long-lasting relationships. 

The question is no longer whether QES will become standard in conveyancing. HM Land Registry has already fully embraced Qualified Electronic Signatures as a cornerstone of its digital transformation strategy. The real question is whether your firm chooses to lead this transformation – or follow it. 

In a market where competitive advantage matters, QES offers something rare: a technology that simultaneously improves compliance, efficiency, and client satisfaction. That is not just progress. It’s the future of professional conveyancing. 

Learn how eSign365 enables compliant, frictionless QES for conveyancing firms.