Wards are taking a lead role in the Land Registry’s ‘Chain Matrix’ pilot of its prototype e-conveyancing system, which starts on 29 March 2007 in Bristol, Portsmouth and Fareham and runs for 6 months. Chain Matrix is the first of the Land Registry’s new electronic services, aimed at providing transparency within the conveyancing chain. Wards were one of the early entrants to the scheme and have registered to take part in the full pilot.

The full and up-to-date conveyancing chain will be viewable online via a broadband connection. Everyone involved gets a password, can easily identify others in the chain and can view the current status of the conveyance online.

Susan Ellis, a conveyancing partner with Wards, says: “Chain Matrix will mean it is possible to identify anyone in the chain who is stalling the transaction. The system allows you to add notes at the outset (e.g. on holiday dates or other key factors that might affect progress), meaning that everyone benefits from this information early on and can plan ahead. There will also be an option to receive email messages when key stages are updated in any part of the chain”.

Susan adds: “Our conveyancers have been trained across the firm and we will be liaising closely with clients, estate agents and the Land Registry on the effectiveness of the system. We’re hopeful that it will make buying and selling a house a less stressful, more positive experience”.