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Land Registration Act (Northern Ireland) 1970

1970 c. 18 (N.I.) · Enacted 23 June 1970 · Extends to Northern Ireland

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C1C2An Act to revise the law relating to the registration of the title to land; to extend the compulsory registration of the title to land; to repeal and re-enact with certain amendments the law relating to the registration of statutory charges; and for matters connected therewith.

[23rd June 1970]

M1WHEREAS, pursuant to section 12(2)(b) of the Northern Ireland Act 1962 , the consent of the Lord Chief Justice has been obtained to the provisions of sections 59(1) and (4) and 85(3)( m) of this Act, of which—

(a) section 59(1) and (4) imposes certain duties on the Bankruptcy Registrar; and

(b) section 85(3)( m) authorises the making of Land Registry Rules providing for the taxation of costs by the taxing master of the F1Court of Judicature.

And Whereas the Clerk of the Parliaments has certified accordingly pursuant to section 1 of the Legislative Procedure Act (Northern Ireland) 1933 M2, as applied by section 12(4) of the Northern Ireland Act 1962 for the purposes of the said section 12(2)(b).C3

Annotations to the whole text

Textual amendments

F1

Words in preamble of Act substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59(5), 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 6; S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

Marginal citations

M1

1962 c. 30

M2

1933 c. 4

Modifications

C1

functions transf. by SR 1999/481

C2

Act applied (27.3.2006) by Insolvency Rules (Northern Ireland) 1991 (S.R. 1991/364), rule 229A(3) (as substituted by Insolvency (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/47), rule 9(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 6 para.91)

C3

Act applied (with modifications) (4.1.2024) by S.I. 2021/716, Sch. 3 paras. 2, 3 (as amended by The Payment and Electronic Money Institution Insolvency (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1399), regs. 1(2), 21(2)(a)(4))

Contents

  1. Part I: THE LAND REGISTRY
  2. 1Land Registry.
  3. 2Power of Registrar to summon witnesses.
  4. 3Indemnity of Land Registry officials.
  5. Part II: JURISDICTION OF HIGH COURT AND COUNTY COURTS
  6. 4Jurisdiction of the High Court and county courts.
  7. 5Power of court in action for specific performance.
  8. 6Appeal and reference to the High Court.
  9. 7Appeal from the High Court.
  10. 8Enforcement by High Court of order of Registrar.
  11. 9Registrar to obey order of court.
  12. Part III: REGISTRATION OF OWNERSHIP
  13. Chapter: The registers
  14. 10The title register.
  15. 11Conclusiveness of registers.
  16. Chapter: Owners and classes of title
  17. 12Classes of owners who may be registered.
  18. 13Classes of title with which owner may be registered.
  19. Chapter: Freehold estates
  20. 14Application for first registration of freehold estate.
  21. 15Effect of first registration of freehold estate with an absolute title.
  22. 16Effect of first registration of freehold estate with a good fee farm grant title.
  23. 17Effect of first registration of freehold estate with a possessory title.
  24. 18Qualified title to freehold estate.
  25. Chapter: Leasehold estates
  26. 19Application for first registration of leasehold estate.
  27. 20Effect of first registration of leasehold estate with an absolute title.
  28. 21Effect of first registration of leasehold estate with a good leasehold title.
  29. 22Effect of first registration of leasehold estate with a possessory title.
  30. 23Qualified title to leasehold estate.
  31. Chapter: Compulsory first registration
  32. 24Compulsory first registration.
  33. 25Extension of compulsory registration.
  34. Chapter: Reclassification of title
  35. 26Reclassification of registered titles.
  36. Chapter: Extinguishment of leasehold estates
  37. 27Extinguishment of leasehold estates.
  38. Chapter: Examination of title
  39. 28Examination of title by Registrar.
  40. 29Affidavit required before registration.
  41. 30Production of deeds, etc.
  42. 31Deeds, etc., to be marked with notice of registration.
  43. Part IV: DEALINGS WITH REGISTERED LAND
  44. Chapter: General provisions
  45. 32Dealings with registered land.
  46. 32AValidity of electronic documents
  47. 33Powers of person entitled to be registered.
  48. 34Transfers of registered land.
  49. 35Words of transfer.
  50. 36Defeasance of registered owner's estate.
  51. 37Transmission of registered land.
  52. Chapter: Burdens generally
  53. 38Matters which are burdens affecting registered land without registration.
  54. 39Registration of certain burdens.
  55. 40Priority of registered burdens.
  56. Chapter: Money burdens
  57. 41Creation and effect of charges on registered land.
  58. 42Exercise of power of charging land
  59. 43Priority of registered charge for future advances.
  60. 44Powers with respect to charges under certain statutory provisions.
  61. 45Term of years vested in trustee for raising money out of registered land.
  62. 46Term of years vested in trustee for raising money, or mortgage, prior to first registration.
  63. Chapter: Rights of residence
  64. 47Right of residence on registered land.
  65. Chapter: Modification and discharge of burdens
  66. 48Modification and discharge of burdens other than charges.
  67. 49Discharge, etc., of registered charges.
  68. Chapter: Creation of security by deposit of land certificate, etc.
  69. 50Creation of security by deposit of land certificate or certificate of charge.
  70. VGENERAL PROVISIONS AS TO REGISTRATION
  71. 50ASouvenir land.
  72. 51Entry of rights appurtenant to land.
  73. 53Acquisition of title by possession.
  74. 54Notice of trusts.
  75. 54ALiens
  76. 55Undivided shares and co-owners.
  77. 56Special provisions applicable to settled land and to charitable trusts, etc.
  78. 57Power for trustee to apply to the court for directions.
  79. 58Provisions as to incumbrances created or issued by a body corporate which are not registered or protected.
  80. 59Transmissions on bankruptcy of registered owner.
  81. 59AEffect of transmissions on bankruptcy
  82. 60Minors.
  83. 61Persons suffering from mental disorder.
  84. 61AOverseas entities
  85. Part VI: MAPS AND BOUNDARIES
  86. 62The registry map.
  87. 63Description of registered land.
  88. 64Effect of description of registered land.
  89. Part VII: CAUTIONS AND INHIBITIONS
  90. 65Cautions against first registration.
  91. 66Cautions against registered dispositions, etc.
  92. 67Inhibitions of registered dealings.
  93. 67AProtection of creditors prior to registration of trustee in bankruptcy.
  94. 68Inhibitions in consequence of discovery of error.
  95. VIIIRECTIFICATION AND INDEMNITY
  96. 69Rectification of errors.
  97. 71Claims for compensation.
  98. Part IX: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
  99. 72Exemption from registration in the registry of deeds.
  100. 73Exemption from registration in registry of deeds of documents relating to burdens registered under this Act.
  101. 74Execution of documents containing reservations.
  102. 75Avoidance of stipulations in documents precluding registration of title.
  103. 76Avoidance of certain stipulations in contracts for transfer of, or charge on, registered land.
  104. 77Facilities for registration of Crown Land.
  105. 78Foreshore and seabed.
  106. 79Land certificates and certificates of charge.
  107. 80Special provisions relating to certain vesting orders and fiats.
  108. 81Searches.
  109. 82Penalties for fraud.
  110. 83Effect of fraudulent dispositions and fraudulent acts.
  111. 84Fees.
  112. 85Rules.
  113. 85ADocuments and records.
  114. Part X: THE STATUTORY CHARGES REGISTER
  115. 86The Statutory Charges Register.
  116. 87Matters registrable in the Statutory Charges Register.
  117. 88Provisions as to registration and priority.
  118. 89Priority notices.
  119. 90Use of registers existing on 2nd April 1951.
  120. 91Cancellation and modification of statutory charges.
  121. 92Application of certain other provisions of the Act to statutory charges.
  122. XISUPPLEMENTARY
  123. 93Financial provisions.
  124. 94Interpretation.
  125. 96Transitional provisions and savings.
  126. 98Application to the Crown.
  127. 99Citation and commencement.
  128. Schedule 1: ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS RELATING TO LAND REGISTRY
  129. Part
  130. Chapter: Appointment of Registrar of Titles
  131. 1Paragraph 1
  132. 2Paragraph 2
  133. 3Paragraph 3
  134. Chapter: Other officials
  135. 4Paragraph 4
  136. 5Paragraph 5
  137. Chapter: Functions
  138. 6Paragraph 6
  139. 7Paragraph 7
  140. 8Paragraph 8
  141. 9Paragraph 9
  142. Chapter: The official seal
  143. 10Paragraph 10
  144. 11Paragraph 11
  145. Schedule 1A: ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION
  146. 1Interpretation of this Schedule
  147. 2Validity of electronic documents
  148. 3Formalities of execution of electronic documents
  149. 4Equivalent treatment of electronic documents
  150. 5Presumption as to the authentication of electronic documents
  151. Schedule 2: COMPULSORY REGISTRATION
  152. ICOMPULSORY REGISTRATION AND EFFECT OF NON-REGISTRATION
  153. Part II: POWER TO EXTEND TIME FOR FIRST COMPULSORY REGISTRATION
  154. Paragraph
  155. Part III: INTERPRETATION OF PART I
  156. Paragraph
  157. Part IV: PROVISIONS RELATING TO CERTAIN LEASES
  158. 1Paragraph 1
  159. 2Paragraph 2
  160. 3Paragraph 3
  161. 4Paragraph 4
  162. 5Paragraph 5
  163. Schedule 3: RECLASSIFICATION OF TITLE
  164. Part
  165. Chapter: Reclassification of titles formerly subject to notes as to equities and deemed to be possessory titles
  166. 1Paragraph 1
  167. Chapter: Reclassification of titles on efflux of time
  168. 2Paragraph 2
  169. Chapter: Reclassification of titles in other cases
  170. 3Paragraph 3
  171. Chapter: Adverse claims
  172. 4Paragraph 4
  173. Chapter: Evidence of title and notices
  174. 5Paragraph 5
  175. Schedule 4: TRANSMISSION OF REGISTERED LAND
  176. Part
  177. Chapter: Transmission on death of a full owner in respect of deaths after commencement of Act
  178. 1Paragraph 1
  179. 2Paragraph 2
  180. 3Paragraph 3
  181. 4Paragraph 4
  182. 5Paragraph 5
  183. Chapter: Transmission of estate of limited owner on death, in respect of deaths after commencement of Act, or otherwise
  184. 6Paragraph 6
  185. Chapter: Functions of Registrar in relation to assents or transfers by personal representatives
  186. 6AParagraph 6A
  187. Chapter: Application of paragraphs 1 to 6A
  188. 7Paragraph 7
  189. Chapter: Transmission of registered land in the case of persons dying before the commencement of Act
  190. 8Paragraph 8
  191. 9Paragraph 9
  192. Schedule 5: BURDENS WHICH AFFECT REGISTERED LAND WITHOUT REGISTRATION
  193. Part I: LIST OF BURDENS WHICH AFFECT REGISTERED LAND WITHOUT REGISTRATION
  194. 1Paragraph 1
  195. 2Paragraph 2
  196. 3Paragraph 3
  197. 4Paragraph 4
  198. 5Paragraph 5
  199. 6Paragraph 6
  200. 7Paragraph 7
  201. 8Paragraph 8
  202. 9Paragraph 9
  203. 10Paragraph 10
  204. 11Paragraph 11
  205. 12Paragraph 12
  206. 13Paragraph 13
  207. 14Paragraph 14
  208. 15Paragraph 15
  209. 16Paragraph 16
  210. Part II: PROVISIONS AFFECTING SCHEDULE 5 BURDENS
  211. 1Paragraph 1
  212. 2Paragraph 2
  213. Schedule 6: REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN BURDENS
  214. Part I: LIST OF BURDENS TO WHICH SECTION 39 APPLIES
  215. 1Paragraph 1
  216. 2Paragraph 2
  217. 3Paragraph 3
  218. 4Paragraph 4
  219. 5Paragraph 5
  220. 6Paragraph 6
  221. 7Paragraph 7
  222. 8Paragraph 8
  223. 8AParagraph 8A
  224. 9Paragraph 9
  225. 10Paragraph 10
  226. 11Paragraph 11
  227. 12Paragraph 12
  228. 13Paragraph 13
  229. 14Paragraph 14
  230. 14AParagraph 14A
  231. 15Paragraph 15
  232. 16Paragraph 16
  233. Part II: PROVISIONS AFFECTING REGISTRATION OF SCHEDULE 6 BURDENS
  234. Chapter: Registration of burdens
  235. 1Paragraph 1
  236. 2Paragraph 2
  237. Paragraph
  238. Chapter: Note of indemnity in respect of rent registered as a burden
  239. 5Paragraph 5
  240. Chapter: Registration of pending actions to lapse after five years
  241. 6Paragraph 6
  242. Chapter: Registration of bankruptcy petitions
  243. 6AParagraph 6A
  244. Paragraph
  245. Schedule 7: PROVISIONS RELATING TO CHARGES ON REGISTERED LAND
  246. Part I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
  247. Chapter: Registration of charges
  248. 1Paragraph 1
  249. 2Paragraph 2
  250. 3Paragraph 3
  251. 4Paragraph 4
  252. Chapter: Effect of registration of ownership of charge
  253. 5Paragraph 5
  254. 6Paragraph 6
  255. 7Paragraph 7
  256. 8Paragraph 8
  257. 9Paragraph 9
  258. IISPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO CERTAIN CHARGES IN RESPECT OF SETTLED LAND
  259. Part III: VALIDITY OF CERTAIN CHARGES PURPORTING TO BE REGISTERED AT 28TH JULY 1957
  260. 1Paragraph 1
  261. 2Paragraph 2
  262. 3Paragraph 3
  263. Schedule 8: SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO SETTLED LAND AND TO CHARITABLE TRUSTS, ETC.
  264. Part I: SETTLED LAND
  265. 1Paragraph 1
  266. 2Paragraph 2
  267. 3Paragraph 3
  268. 4Paragraph 4
  269. 5Paragraph 5
  270. 6Paragraph 6
  271. 7Paragraph 7
  272. 8Paragraph 8
  273. Part II: CHARITABLE AND CERTAIN OTHER TRUSTS
  274. Chapter: Registration as owners of trustees appointed pursuant to the Trustee Appointment Acts 1850 and 1890
  275. 1Paragraph 1
  276. Chapter: Registration as owners of persons in whom registered land is vested by an order under section 12 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 1964
  277. 2Paragraph 2
  278. Schedule 8A: Overseas entities
  279. Part 1: Registration and dispositions
  280. 1Meaning of “qualifying estate”
  281. 2Registration
  282. 3Restrictions on disposal
  283. 4Registrable dispositions by overseas entity entitled to be registered (but not registered)
  284. 4AConsent to registration of dispositions that cannot otherwise be registered
  285. 5Making dispositions that cannot be registered
  286. 6Interpretation etc
  287. 7Interpretation etc
  288. Schedule 9: COMPENSATION PAYABLE UNDER THE ACT
  289. Part
  290. Chapter: Right to compensation
  291. 1Paragraph 1
  292. 2Paragraph 2
  293. 3Paragraph 3
  294. 3AParagraph 3A
  295. 4Paragraph 4
  296. 4AParagraph 4A
  297. 5Paragraph 5
  298. Chapter: Quantum of compensation
  299. 6Paragraph 6
  300. 7Paragraph 7
  301. Chapter: Special provisions in respect of settled land
  302. 8Paragraph 8
  303. Chapter: Procedure for claiming compensation
  304. 9Paragraph 9
  305. 10Paragraph 10
  306. 11Paragraph 11
  307. Schedule 10: SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO CERTAIN VESTING ORDERS AND FIATS UNDER THE LAND PURCHASE ACTS
  308. Part
  309. Chapter: Application of Schedule
  310. 1Paragraph 1
  311. Chapter: Vesting not to be invalidated by death
  312. 2Paragraph 2
  313. 3Paragraph 3
  314. Chapter: Procedure for corrections consequent upon errors in vesting orders
  315. 4Paragraph 4
  316. 5Paragraph 5
  317. 6Paragraph 6
  318. Schedule 11: MATTERS WHICH REQUIRE TO BE REGISTERED IN THE STATUTORY CHARGES REGISTER
  319. 1Paragraph 1
  320. 2Paragraph 2
  321. 3Paragraph 3
  322. Paragraph
  323. Paragraph
  324. 8Paragraph 8
  325. 9Paragraph 9
  326. Paragraph
  327. 11Paragraph 11
  328. Paragraph
  329. Paragraph
  330. Paragraph
  331. 15Paragraph 15
  332. 16Paragraph 16
  333. Paragraph
  334. 18Paragraph 18
  335. 18AParagraph 18A
  336. 19Paragraph 19
  337. 20Paragraph 20
  338. 21Paragraph 21
  339. 22Paragraph 22
  340. Paragraph
  341. 24Paragraph 24
  342. 25Paragraph 25
  343. 26Paragraph 26
  344. 27Paragraph 27
  345. 28Paragraph 28
  346. 31Paragraph 31
  347. 32Paragraph 32
  348. Paragraph
  349. 35Paragraph 35
  350. 36Paragraph 36
  351. 37Paragraph 37
  352. Paragraph
  353. 38Paragraph 38
  354. 39Paragraph 39
  355. 40Paragraph 40
  356. 41Paragraph 41
  357. 42Paragraph 42
  358. 43Paragraph 43
  359. 43Paragraph 43
  360. 44Paragraph 44 Not yet in force
  361. 45Paragraph 45
  362. 46Paragraph 46
  363. 47Paragraph 47
  364. 48Paragraph 48
  365. 49Paragraph 49
  366. 50Paragraph 50
  367. 51Paragraph 51
  368. 51AParagraph 51A
  369. 52Paragraph 52
  370. 53Paragraph 53
  371. 54Paragraph 54
  372. Schedule Schedule
  373. Schedule 13: TRANSITIONAL AND SAVING PROVISIONS
  374. Part I: TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
  375. Chapter: Effect of previous registration with a qualified or possessory title
  376. 1Paragraph 1
  377. Chapter: Effect of previous registration subject to note as to equities
  378. 2Paragraph 2
  379. Chapter: Effect of previous registration not subject to note as to equities
  380. 3Paragraph 3
  381. Chapter: Effect of previous registration with a note to the effect that the title of lessor has been examined and found to be good and valid
  382. 4Paragraph 4
  383. Chapter: Effect of previous registration without a note relating to the title of lessor
  384. 5Paragraph 5
  385. Chapter: Effect of previous registration in the register of proprietors
  386. 6Paragraph 6
  387. Chapter: Transfers of registrations from local registries to central office
  388. 7Paragraph 7
  389. Chapter: Statutory charges under the Act of 1951
  390. 8Paragraph 8
  391. Chapter: Construction of certain cross-references
  392. 9Paragraph 9
  393. 10Paragraph 10
  394. Chapter: Disposal of certain books, etc., relating to record of title
  395. 11Paragraph 11
  396. Part II: SAVINGS
  397. Chapter: Consent to alienation, etc.
  398. 1Paragraph 1
  399. Chapter: Provisions of Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 relating to repeals and substituting provisions
  400. 2Paragraph 2
  401. Schedule Schedule