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Electronic Conveyancing is Just Around the Corner

Caveats and Withdrawals of Caveat

If you are not already aware, all caveats and withdrawals of caveat in Victoria must be lodged through the Electronic Lodgment Network (PEXA) from 1 December 2017. As a result, you will no longer be able to lodge or withdraw caveats directly through the Land Titles Office. All lawyers and conveyancers who need to lodge caveats from 1 December 2017, must either be registered through PEXA, or must have an agent who is able to make the lodgment on their behalf.

Standalone Mortgages, Discharges of Mortgage and Refinances

Also from 1 December 2017, all standalone mortgages, discharge of mortgage and refinances from non-Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (signed and dated after 1 December 2017) must also be lodged through PEXA.

Certifications and Client Authorisation Forms

The transition period for accepting forms without certifications ends on 31 December 2017. Therefore, all forms sent for lodgment at the Land Titles Office that are signed on or after 1 January 2018, must be the new format that contains the certification.

Lawyers and conveyancers acting for a party to a conveyancing transaction will therefore need to ensure:

1. they have signed Client Authorisation Forms;
2. execute the relevant forms required for lodgment on behalf of their client; and
3. the forms contain the certifications required by the Registrar’s requirements.