Transforming Singapore’s Conveyancing Landscape: Introduction of the Electronic Conveyancing and Other Matters Bill

1.               The Electronic Conveyancing and Other Matters Bill was introduced for First Reading in Parliament today, marking a significant step towards the digitalisation of the property conveyancing process in Singapore.

 2.               The proposed amendments in the Bill will facilitate the implementation of the Digital Conveyancing Portal (DCP) developed by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). The amendments will enable various steps in a property conveyancing transaction to be performed electronically through prescribed electronic transaction systems (PETSs), such as the DCP, subject to certain conditions. When operationalised, the DCP will provide greater convenience to all parties involved in a conveyancing transaction, such as property buyers, sellers, law firms, real estate professionals, financial institutions and developers.

 Key Changes Made by the Bill - Digital Conveyancing

 3.               With the legislative amendments made by the Bill, the steps in a property conveyancing transaction which may be performed electronically through prescribed electronic transaction systems (PETSs) include:

 a)    Electronic execution of a contract for the sale or other disposition of immovable property (e.g. land, houses); [1]

 b)    Electronic execution of a deed for the conveyance of or transfer of any interest in immovable property;[2] and

 c)     Remote witnessing by a witness in Singapore of the execution in Singapore of any document in a PETS for the purpose of carrying out a conveyancing transaction.[3]

 Key Benefits of the DCP

 4.               The DCP initiative will progressively integrate all stages of property transactions, from the signing of a contract for sale and purchase of property to digital payments, creating a seamless end-to-end digital conveyancing journey. The portal marks a significant step towards modernising the conveyancing ecosystem in Singapore.

5.               Aligned with Singapore’s Smart Nation vision, the DCP supports Singapore’s digital transformation efforts by leveraging on technology to enhance service delivery, improve productivity, and ensure that the conveyancing industry is future-ready. When fully implemented, key benefits of the DCP will include:

a)    Increased efficiency and improved productivity: Digital workflows will replace manual processes, paper-based documentation and payment, minimising administrative workload and improving productivity.

b)    Enhanced transparency and security: The DCP enhances transparency by providing stakeholders real-time visibility of transaction milestones through a secure digital platform. Robust authentication protocols and cybersecurity measures are built in to safeguard sensitive data and access.

c)     Improved coordination among stakeholders: The DCP will facilitate seamless communication and coordination amongst lawyers, financial institutions, real estate professionals, and government agencies. This reduces the risk of errors and miscommunication.

d)    Greater convenience for all stakeholders: Stakeholders will benefit from a more streamlined and user-friendly process, with key transaction milestones completed online. The DCP will also provide guided workflows to help stakeholders navigate the conveyancing process with greater ease.

Implementation of the DCP

6.               Given the scale of this initiative, the DCP is being implemented in phases. This will help to ensure a smooth transition for key stakeholder groups involved in the property conveyancing process.

7.               The DCP's initial phase will be launched after Beta testing concludes. The initial phase will focus on private residential resale transactions, beginning with the Option-to-Purchase process. Following successful digitalisation of key transaction milestones, subsequent phases will expand the DCP’s functions to include the complete conveyancing journey and extend to commercial and industrial property transactions.

8.               The electronic transfer of conveyancing moneys will be supported by SLA’s financial institution partner, UOB, who will provide the account and payment services to enable various modes of e-payment in the e-conveyancing process in the DCP for payments such as those for transaction fees and transaction prices.

Supporting Industry Transition

9.               The ongoing development of the DCP is being carried out in close collaboration and continuous engagement with key stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition. Stakeholders will be progressively onboarded to the portal as new functions are rolled out. SLA will continue to seek feedback from stakeholders actively throughout the transition to refine the portal’s features.

25 September 2025

Issued by

Singapore Land Authority

[1] See new section 16U of Electronic Transactions Act 2010, to be inserted by clause 2 of the Bill.

[2] See new section 16W of Electronic Transactions Act 2010, to be inserted by clause 2 of the Bill.

[3] See new section 16X of Electronic Transactions Act 2010, to be inserted by clause 2 of the Bill.

Annex: Key information on the Digital Conveyancing Portal

Digital Conveyancing Portal (DCP) at a glance:

·       Conveyancing, the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from the registered proprietor to another party, is currently a largely manual, paper-based and complex multi-step process.

·       It includes the pre-contract, contract, financing arrangement, pre-completion, legal completion, and post-completion steps. Each step requires the completion of several tasks and involves multiple parties across both public and private sectors, making it a time-consuming process.

·       As a one-stop online portal, when fully implemented, the DCP will streamline the current conveyancing process and transform it into an integrated, efficient, transparent and paperless digital conveyancing process for all property transactions in Singapore. For example, the DCP will support prescribed secure electronic signatures and electronic payment.

·       The DCP aims to improve efficiency for all stakeholders involved in the conveyancing process including lawyers, financial institutions, real estate professionals, developers and property buyers and sellers.

The DCP Journey

The development of the DCP is a multi-agency effort led by SLA, involving consultations with both private and public sector stakeholders, such as the Central Provident Fund Board, Council for Estate Agencies, Government Technology Agency, Housing & Development Board, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, Law Society of Singapore, Ministry of Law, Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (REDAS), Singapore Academy of Law and Urban Redevelopment Authority .

Since 2019, SLA has progressively engaged the key stakeholders in the conveyancing ecosystem, through forums ranging from meetings with individual stakeholders to large-scale dialogue sessions, to obtain feedback on their existing conveyancing experiences. SLA also sought feedback on how each phase of the DCP should be designed and prioritised.

Stakeholders consulted include relevant public sector agencies as well as key industry stakeholders such as law firms, real estate developers, real estate agencies and financial institutions. SLA will continue to engage and seek feedback to ensure the DCP remains relevant for all stakeholders and users.

Many of the stakeholders have welcomed the digital transformation of the conveyancing process and look forward to the efficiencies that a one-stop, transparent, paperless portal can bring.