MORE EFFICIENT CONVEYANCING WITH NEW WEB-BASED SYSTEM



Link to STARS eLodgement website: http://www.stars.gov.sg

There is usually a mountain load of paperwork in conveyancing.Numerous forms have to be prepared manually (usually with repeat information), multiple signatures obtained, and many parties and authorities involved.

This is starting to change with STARS eLodgment, a project initiated by the Land Registry at the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). "STARS" is an acronym for Singapore Titles Automated Registration System. STARS eLodgment is a web-based system using Java and XML technology which allows a conveyancing lawyer to handle land title instruments and caveats over the Internet with convenience and efficiency.

Why is STARS eLodgment necessary?
The Land Registry is responsible for registering all transactions affecting land in Singapore and maintaining a land register for public examination. In order to protect property owners in Singapore and to facilitate innumerable financial transactions, the Land Registry's role is crucial to maintain an efficient, transparent, accurate and responsive system of land registration.

STARS eLodgment is the electronic version of such a system, paving a painless, paperless way for those involved in land registration and transaction processes.

About STARS eLodgment
Through user-friendly electronic forms, the system enables conveyancing representatives to:
• Prepare, submit, withdraw and amend documents
• Track the status of their documents and be automatically notified of the registration of their documents either via email or fax
• Enquire about their lodgment account
• Request for information (e.g. list of expiring caveats, management corporation certificates, etc)

The system caters to several functions, ranging from the assignment and tracking of lodgments received to a document management system for capturing plans and/or supporting documents that may be submitted by the law firms.

As a fully integrated online system, STARS eLodgment supports online payment via interbank direct debit and pre-paid cashcard and offers authentication via userID / password and Digital Certificates / Signature.

What are the benefits of STARS eLodgment?
The key benefit of the STARS eLodgment system is its capability of intelligent checks that minimises data entry errors and improves the accuracy of the documents submitted for registration. Other benefits include:

Time Savings
• Faster documentation which translates to faster registration overall e.g., similar data across forms can be copied from one form to another, reducing the need for unnecessary data entry.
• No more travel time to SLA for lodgment of caveats.

Cost Savings
• No procurement costs since the law firms no longer need to buy the lodgment forms and need not print the caveats on conveyancing paper.
• No more additional registration fees from clerical errors made in documentation.

More Convenience and Security
• Cashless payment modes like cashcard and inter-bank transfers
• Greater user control in tracking status of their lodgments over the Internet and be automatically notified of the registration via e-mail or fax.
• Secured lodging of documents with digital signature.

When fully implemented, STARS eLodgment will provide an integrative e-solution to the transactions of all land title instruments and caveats in Singapore.

So in the near future, getting that dream home will involve fewer pen-pushing paperwork and all Singaporeans would have to worry about is what wallpaper to choose.

For more information, please visit http://www.stars.gov.sg .