WIREDGOV

Consultation on new Land Registration triggers

LAND REGISTRY News Release (26/07) issued by The Government News Network on 12 November 2007

Land Registry is seeking views on proposals to introduce two new triggers that would lead to compulsory registration of title. The proposed new triggers are:

* appointment of a new trustee of unregistered land held in trust, where the land vests in the new trustee by deed or other instrument in writing, or by vesting of the court

* partitioning of unregistered land held in trust among the beneficiaries of the trust

An example of an existing trigger for compulsory registration is the transfer of land either by sale or gift. The proposal to introduce additional triggers forms part of Land Registry's drive to achieve a comprehensive land register for England and Wales. It runs alongside efforts to encourage voluntary registration. Around 60 per cent of land in England and Wales is now registered on the national land database. A registered title provides real benefits to the owner, enabling more effective management of land assets and consolidating complex legal and historical data about the land.

Copies of the consultation document are being sent to a wide range of government departments and agencies, representative bodies and individuals. The consultation period runs from 19 November until 29 February 2008.

Interested parties can read and reply to the consultation document online from 19 November at http://www.consultations.landregistry.gov.uk.

Further information can be obtained by emailing the Comprehensive Register Team at comprehensive.register@landregistry.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning 020 7166 4816 or 020 7166 4405.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. With the world's largest property database of over 21 million titles, Land Registry underpins the economy by safeguarding ownership of many billions of pounds worth of property. Around £1million worth of property is processed every minute in England and Wales.

2. As a government department established in 1862, executive agency and trading fund responsible to the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, Land Registry keeps and maintains the Land Register for England and Wales. The Land Register has been an open document since 1990.

3. For further information about Land Registry, please visit http://www.landregistry.gov.uk

Land Registry
Head Office
Lincoln's Inn Fields
London WC2A 3PH
http://www.landregistry.gov.uk