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Settled Land Act 1925

Geo5/15-16 c. 18 · Enacted 9 April 1925 · Extends to England and Wales

Not fully up to date. 2 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 1 October 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 71(1)(x)insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 2
s. 73(1)(xva)insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 3

An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to settled land in England and Wales.

[9th April 1925]C1C2C3C4C5I1

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Powers of tenant for life and trustees of settlement under this Act conferred on trustees for sale by Law of Property Act 1925 (c. 20), s. 28(1) and Forestry Act 1967 (c. 10), s. 5(4), Sch. 2 para. 1(1)-(3); applied by Land Registration Act 1925 (c. 21), ss. 40(2), 91(1)

C2

Words of enactment omitted under authority of Statute Law Revision Act 1948 (c. 62), s. 3

C3

Act extended by Local Land Charges Act 1975 (c. 76, SIF 98:2), ss. 11(3), 19(2), by Highways Act 1980 (c. 66, SIF 59), s. 87(4)(a) and by Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 (No. 3, SIF 21:4), ss. 33(4), 35(1)

C4

Act modified by S.I. 1989/1379, art. 3(6)

C5

Act: Definition of "settlement" applied (25.9.1991) by Land Compensation Act 1961 (c. 33, SIF 28:1), s. 27, Sch. 3 (as inserted 25.9.1991 by Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c. 34, SIF:28:1), s. 66, Schedule 14 para. 2); S.I. 1991/2067, art. 3

Act applied (1.11.1993) by 1993 c. 28, s. 34(3)(a); S.I. 1993/2134, arts.2,5

Act applied (30.10.1994) by S.I. 1994/2716, reg. 86(1)(b)

Act excluded (1.1.1997) by 1996 c. 47, s.2 (with ss. 24(2), 25(4)(5)); S.I. 1996/2974, art. 2

Commencement

I1

Act wholly in force at 1.1.1926 by s. 120(2) (now repealed)

Contents

  1. Part I: General Preliminary Provisions
  2. Settlements and Settled Land
  3. 1What constitutes a settlement.
  4. 2What is settled land.
  5. 3Duration of settlements.
  6. 4Authorised method of settling land inter vivos.
  7. 5Contents of vesting deeds.
  8. 6Procedure in the case of settlements by will.
  9. 7Procedure on change of ownership.
  10. 8Mode and costs of conveyance, and saving of rights of personal representatives and equitable chargees.
  11. 9Procedure in the case of settlements and of instruments deemed to be trust instruments.
  12. 10Procedure on acquisition of land to be made subject to a settlement.
  13. 11As to contracts for the settlement of land.
  14. 12Power to make vesting orders as to settled land.
  15. 13Dispositions not to take effect until vesting instrument is made.
  16. 14Forfeiture and stamps.
  17. 15Examples of instruments. Repealed
  18. Enforcement of Equitable Interests and Powers against Estate Owner and discharge on termination of Settlement
  19. 16Enforcement of equitable interests and powers against estate owner.
  20. 17Deed of discharge on termination of settlement.
  21. Restrictions on dispositions of Settled Land where Trustees have not been Discharged
  22. 18Restrictions on dispositions of settled land where trustees have not been discharged.
  23. Tenants for Life and Persons with Powers of Tenant for Life
  24. 19Who is tenant for life.
  25. 20Other limited owners having powers of tenant for life.
  26. 21Absolute owners subject to certain interests to have the powers of tenant for life.
  27. 22Provisions applicable where interest in settled land is restored.
  28. 23Powers of trustees, &c. when there is no tenant for life.
  29. 24As to a tenant for life who has parted with his interest.
  30. 25Married woman, how to be affected.
  31. 26Infants, how to be affected.
  32. 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  33. 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  34. 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  35. Trustees of Settlement
  36. 30Who are trustees for purposes of Act.
  37. 31As to trustees of compound settlements.
  38. 32As to trustees of referential settlements.
  39. 33Continuance of trustees in office, and as to certain compound settlements.
  40. 34Appointment of trustees by court.
  41. 35Procedure on appointment of new trustees.
  42. Provisions as to Undivided Shares
  43. 36Undivided shares to take effect behind a trust of land.
  44. Transitional Provisons
  45. 37Transitional provisions with respect to existing settlements, &c.
  46. Part II: Powers of a Tenant for Life
  47. Sale and Exchange
  48. 38Powers of sale and exchange.
  49. 39Regulations respecting sales.
  50. 40Regulations respecting exchanges.
  51. Leasing Powers
  52. 41Power to lease for ordinary or building or mining or forestry purposes.
  53. 42Regulations respecting leases generally.
  54. 43Leasing powers for special objects.
  55. Provisions as to building, mining and forestry leases
  56. 44Regulations respecting building leases.
  57. 45Regulations respecting mining leases.
  58. 46Variation of building or mining lease according to circumstances of district.
  59. 47Capitalisation of part of mining rent.
  60. 48Regulations respecting forestry leases.
  61. Miscellaneous Powers
  62. 49Power on dispositions to impose restrictions and make reservations and stipulations.
  63. 50Separate dealing with surface and minerals, with or without wayleaves, &c.
  64. 51Power to grant options.
  65. 52Surrenders and regrants.
  66. 53Acceptance of leases.
  67. 54Power to grant water rights to statutory bodies.
  68. 55Power to grant land for public and charitable purposes.
  69. 56Dedication for streets, open spaces, &c.
  70. 57Provision of land for small dwellings, small holdings and dwellings for working classes.
  71. 58Power to compromise claims and release restrictions, &c.
  72. 59Power to vary leases and grants and to give licences and consents.
  73. 60Power to apportion rents.
  74. 61Provisions as to consideration.
  75. 62†Special provisions as to manorial incidents, &c.
  76. 63Power to complete predecessor’s contracts.
  77. 64General power for the tenant for life to effect any transaction under an order of the court.
  78. Provisions as to special classes of property
  79. 65Power to dispose of mansion.
  80. 66Cutting and sale of timber, and capitalisation of part of proceeds.
  81. 67Sale and purchase of heirlooms under order of court.
  82. Dealings as between tenants for life and the estate
  83. 68Provision enabling dealings with tenant for life.
  84. Incumbrances
  85. 69Shifting of incumbrances.
  86. 70Power to vary provisions of an incumbrance and to charge by way of additional security.
  87. Raising of Money
  88. 71Power to raise money by mortgage.
  89. Conveyance
  90. 72Completion of transactions by conveyance.
  91. Part III: Investment or other application of Capital Money
  92. 73Modes of investment or application.
  93. 74Power to acquire land subject to certain incumbrances.
  94. 75Regulations respecting investment, devolution, and income of securities, &c.
  95. 75APower to accept charge as security for part payment for land sold.
  96. 76Application of money in court under Lands Clauses and other Acts.
  97. 77Application of money in hands of trustees under powers of settlement.
  98. 78Provision as to personal estate settled by reference to capital money, or on trusts corresponding with the limitations of land.
  99. 79Application of money paid for lease or reversion.
  100. 80As to money received by way of damages for breach of covenant.
  101. 81As to capital arising otherwise than under the Act.
  102. 82Land acquired may be made a substituted security for released charges.
  103. Part IV: Improvements
  104. Improvements with Capital Money
  105. 83Description of improvements authorised by Act.
  106. 84Mode of application of capital money.
  107. 85Creation of rentcharges to discharge instalments.
  108. Sundry Provisions as to Improvements
  109. 86Concurrence in improvements.
  110. 87Court may order payment for improvements executed.
  111. 88Obligation on tenant for life and successors to maintain, insure, &c.
  112. 89Protection as regards waste in execution and repair of improvements.
  113. Part V: Miscellaneous Provisions
  114. 90Power for tenant for life to enter into contracts.
  115. 91Provisions as to different estates settled upon the same limitations.
  116. 92Proceedings for protection or recovery of land settled or claimed as settled.
  117. 93Reference of questions to court.
  118. Part VI: General Provisions as to Trustees
  119. 94Number of trustees to act.
  120. 95Trustees’ receipts.
  121. 96. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  122. 97Protection of trustees generally.
  123. 98Protection of trustees in particular cases.
  124. 99Indemnities to personal representatives and others.
  125. 100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  126. 101Notice to trustees.
  127. 102Management of land during minority or pending contingency.
  128. Part VII: Restrictions, Savings, and Protection of Purchasers
  129. 103Legal estate in settled land not to vest in trustee in bankruptcy of estate owner.
  130. 104Powers not assignable, and contract not to exercise powers void.
  131. 105Effect of surrender of life estate to the next remainderman.
  132. 106Prohibition or limitation against exercise of powers void, and provision against forfeiture.
  133. 107Tenant for life trustee for all parties interested.
  134. 108Saving for and exercise of other powers.
  135. 109Saving for additional or larger powers under settlement.
  136. 110Protection of purchasers, &c.
  137. 111Purchaser of beneficial interest of tenant for life to have remedies of a legal owner.
  138. 112Exercise of powers; limitation of provisions, &c.
  139. Part VIII: Court, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Procedure
  140. 113Jurisdiction and procedure.
  141. 114Payment of costs out of settled property.
  142. 115Powers of the Minister of Agriculture.
  143. 116Filing of certificates, &c. at the Ministry of Agriculture.
  144. Part IX: Supplementary Provisions
  145. 117Definitions.
  146. 118Retrospective amendment of certain provisions of Settled Land Acts. Repealed
  147. 119Repeals, savings, and construction.
  148. 120†Short title, commencement and extent.
  149. Schedule FIRST: Forms of Instruments Repealed
  150. Form No. 1Vesting Deed for giving effect to a Settlement subsisting at the Commencement of this Act Repealed
  151. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  152. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  153. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  154. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  155. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  156. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  157. Form No. 2Vesting Deed on the Settlement of Land Repealed
  158. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  159. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  160. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  161. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  162. Form No. 3Trust Instrument of the Settlement of Land Repealed
  163. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  164. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  165. Form No. 4Subsidiary Vesting Deed on Sale when the Land is Purchased with Capital Money Repealed
  166. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  167. 2 and 3Paragraph 2 and 3 Repealed
  168. Part Form No. 5: Vesting Assent by Personal Representative Repealed
  169. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  170. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  171. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  172. 4 and 5Paragraph 4 and 5 Repealed
  173. Schedule SECOND: Transitional Provisions affecting Existing Settlements
  174. Part Paragraph 1: Provisions for vesting legal estate in tenant for Life or Statutory Owner
  175. 1Paragraph 1
  176. Part Paragraph 2: Provisions where Settled Land is at commencement of Act vested in personal representatives
  177. 2Paragraph 2
  178. Part Paragraph 3: Provisions as to Infants
  179. 3Paragraph 3
  180. Schedule THIRD
  181. Part I: Improvements, the costs of which are not liable to be replaced by Instalments
  182. iParagraph i
  183. iiParagraph ii
  184. iiiParagraph iii
  185. ivParagraph iv
  186. vParagraph v
  187. viParagraph vi
  188. viiParagraph vii
  189. viiiParagraph viii
  190. ixParagraph ix
  191. xParagraph x
  192. xiParagraph xi
  193. xiiParagraph xii
  194. xiiiParagraph xiii
  195. xivParagraph xiv
  196. xvParagraph xv
  197. xviParagraph xvi
  198. xviiParagraph xvii
  199. xviiiParagraph xviii
  200. xixParagraph xix
  201. xxParagraph xx
  202. xxiParagraph xxi
  203. xxiiParagraph xxii
  204. xxiiiParagraph xxiii
  205. xxivParagraph xxiv
  206. xxvParagraph xxv
  207. Part II: Improvements, the Costs of which the Trustees of the Settlement or the Court may require to be replaced by Instalments
  208. iParagraph i
  209. iiParagraph ii
  210. iiiParagraph iii
  211. ivParagraph iv
  212. vParagraph v
  213. viParagraph vi
  214. Part III: Improvements, the Costs of which the Trustees of the Settlement and the Court must require to be replaced by Instalments
  215. iParagraph i
  216. iiParagraph ii
  217. iiiParagraph iii
  218. Schedule FOURTH: Retrospective Amendments of the Settled Land Acts, 1882 to 1890 Repealed
  219. ... Repealed
  220. Paragraph Repealed
  221. Paragraph Repealed
  222. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  223. 5Powers on sale, &c. Repealed
  224. 6Sale of timber and fixtures at a valuation. Repealed
  225. 7Raising of money. Repealed
  226. 8Provision where interest in settled land is restored. Repealed
  227. 9Referential settlements. Repealed
  228. 10Application of capital money. Repealed
  229. 11As to capital arising otherwise than under the Settled Land Acts. Repealed
  230. 12power for Public Trustee to give receipts and accept notices. Repealed
  231. 13Assignments of tenant for life’s interest. Repealed
  232. 14As to base fees. Repealed
  233. 15Amendment of s. 58(1)(ix) of the Act of 1882. Repealed
  234. 16... Repealed
  235. Schedule Fifth. . .