The English Land Registry

Extract

It has become important for members of our profession to know something of the English Land Registration system. Our future practice in dealing with mortgages may be materially affected by it; moreover, the question of its extension has reached a stage at which nearly every one, in England at least, is called upon to consider and form an opinion as to its merits. Here, too, the public has some practical interest in the question. It is quite probable there may be a demand for the extension of the system to this part of the kingdom; in fact, I am told that a deputation from Glasgow has already inspected the London Registry with this idea in view. In the following remarks, therefore, I shall try to bring together the chief features of registration of title to land according to the English system, and explain the circumstances under which it is being worked at the present time. The treatment of such a subject is not without difficulties. It necessarily involves a number of intricate legal points, and without a thorough knowledge and experience of English land laws, one is not in the position to follow it in all its bearings. But although I cannot attempt to deal with all the legal questions that arise, I think there may even be some advantage in a paper by one who is not a lawyer. There cannot be the same charge of bias; and it is possible that the points more particularly affecting such a profession as ours, may be more prominently brought out by one of its own members.