Do away with the pen, enhance your remote working model, communicate effectively and provide faster document execution with Minerva’s eSignature and SMS functionality.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the inevitability of a need to meet the challenges presented, HMLR announced in the summer of 2020 that it would accept witnessed electronic signatures for the execution of deeds. In fact over the course of 2020, electronic signature usage increased five-fold.
The following year HM Land Registry released details of its new guidance on ‘Accepted Signatures’.
Minerva brings eSignature functionality that really works. Powered through the Minerva solution using Yoti, a legally binding eSignature can be executed in a matter of clicks.
This means that it is now possible to have your clients verify their instruction with an e-signature. This feature is enabled on request and attracts a fee per envelope created. An envelope can consist of completed questionnaires (eg on a Sale matter this is likely to comprise: Client, Sale, TA6 and TA10) but can also include your own personal documents such as a Client Care letter or specific Terms.
The e-signing solution also works well to handle multi-party transactions should you need consent from a 2nd, 3rd or 4th client that instructions given from the primary client are accurate.
Why having e-signature helps your processes:
The HMLR guidance define 5 types of signatures:
Wet ink signature: A wet ink signature is a hand-written pen to paper signature.
Mercury signing: A defined process by which parties can sign without being physically in the room; involving the printing, signing and scanning of the documents.
Electronic signature: This can take multiple forms and may involve the use of a digital signing platform. Examples of electronic signatures include:
- facsimile signatures (generated electronically)
- word processed signatures
- advanced electronic signature as defined in the UK Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services (eIDAS) Regulations
Witnessed electronic signature: This is where the deed is signed using an electronic signing portal, but the signature is witnessed in person.
Qualified electronic signature: This type of signature is defined within the UK eIDAS Regulations as:
“data in electronic form which is attached to or logically associated with other data in electronic form and which is used by the signatory to sign… Qualified electronic signatures… are created using more sophisticated technology, meet a higher standard of security, meet stricter validation criteria, and are supported by a more detailed certificate” (https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-eidas/key-definitions/)
Enhanced functionality making clients more accessible and giving them convenience
With Minerva, our eSignature functionality makes your client onboarding even more complete. Add to this the fact that Minerva clients are now enjoying also being able to send reminders and communicate via SMS.
With this component firms can use SMS texting for quotes, ID and Adhoc texts in addition to the auto-reminder process. Texts can be sent to a specific contact or to the client group, meaning all parties can be informed at once. In an age of impatient people who like to do things on the go, an SMS can remove ambiguity and with up to 40% of Brits aged 18- 34 looking to buy a house to develop and 76% of millennials loving the convenience of opening messages at a time of their convenience, being able to communicate quickly is key.
SMS and Esignatures offer an improved customer experience and quicker response time for all, this is being enjoyed by many law firms using the Minerva solution.
