The Gazette 1991

GAZETTE

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1991

Registries to cover the Consultancy Report and the Data Capture of the Abstracts in the Registry of Deeds. The Department of Finance had agreed with the cases made by her and had acted in a very expeditious manner in finalising arrangements for such expenditure. (8) Delays in the registration of deeds wére approximately eight to nine weeks. The principal delays were in the comparison department and she again stressed that the quality of the preparation of memorials was not good and that 32% were rejected. A discussion took place and the Committee welcomed the proposal of the Registrar to introduce new forms wh i ch would give the essential material required for a memorial and which would be print- ed on paper which would be acceptable to the Registry. The Law Society indicated that they would print the forms and sell them to the members if they got the required specification. The Solicitors would then have the option of word processing memorials on the thin paper which would then have to be placed in a plastic cover or alternatively com- pleting the required form which they could purchase from the Law Society which would not have to be placed in the cover. The Registrar also agreed to get out a specimen list of the mem- orials to be sent to the Law Society together with a list of the common mistakes which were made. A general discussion took place on how the arrears could be tackled. The Registrar indicated she was prepared to look at all suggestions but again stressed that it was vitally important that Solicitors would complete the documentation correctly in the first instance. In this connection, she was preparing a list of the com- monest faults on the preparation of documents to be circulated to the Society and the Committee would then consider that this and other necessary information should be circularised to the members. The Committee expressed con- fidence and support for the Registrar in her work and indicated that if she needed any help or assistance that she should contact us which would be more than willingly available.

Meeting with Land Registry

morning met Price Waterhouse and had conveyed their views on the aspects on which they had re- quested views and information. (3) The Registrar advised that the first step of the computerisation of the Registry of Deeds was com- pleted and would be opened by the Minister on the following day. (4) The Registrar further advised that they had made substantial progress to clear the arrears in the Dublin Region. Dublin accounted for almost one quarter of the entire intake of dealings and her estimate was that they were approximately half way towards clearing the "set- ting up of dealings" arrears. Efforts were now being concentrated on the "transfer of part" arrears in this Region. With the sustained co- operation from the staff involved, the Registrar was hopeful of continuing improvement. The Registrar stressed the enormous goodwill and co- operation which she had received from the staff in achieving this target and in bringing about the improving situation in the File Plan area. (5) The Land Registry programme had been set back by staff transfers over which she had no control. She stressed the difficulties which were created when trained staff were moved to other areas and departments. (6) The Registrar expressed the view that it was difficult to handle the arrears as distinct from current intake with the staff which was allotted to her. Regular contact was made with the departments in- volved and the Registrar stressed that the departments were helpful within the constraints of recruit- ment of extra staff. A number of staff had been assigned to the Registries in recent times. (7) On the question of possible financial constraints, the Registrar pointed out that on the occasions since she took up office, she had made a case for expenditure on the

MEMOR A NDUM OF MEET ING wh i ch t ook place at Law Society headquarters on Thursday t he 2 7 t h September 1990. At t endance: Ms. Catherine Treacy, Registrar of Deeds and Titles. Ms. Maeve Hayes, Chairman of the Conveyancing Committee. Mr. William Fallon. Mr. Thomas D. Shaw. Mr. J J Ivers. This meeting was a follow-up meeting to the previous meeting which had taken place on the 31st May 1990. The Registrar reported on the up to date position as follows: (1) Substantial progress had been made and was continuing in the Filed Plan area. The new form for bespeaking folio and filed plan had been introduced. • The Registrar pointed out the importance of filling up the new application form cor- rectly which was still not being done in a number of cases. The initial target which had been set by the Registrar was that 80% of File Plans would issue within a week of being bespoken. The following figures reflect the up to date situation: 44% of File Plans are issued immediately, (i.e. over the counter or the next day). 24% issue within 10 days. 13% issue within 3-4 weeks. 19% take four weeks + . In the 19% to 20% of requisi- tions which necessitate a map reconstruction element, it was still difficult to give a definite time turnover. Sixty eight per cent of requisitions therefore are being dealt with within a 10 day period, a not insignificant achievement, and efforts are continuing to improve the situation yet further. (2) Price Waterhouse had been appointed as consultants and would be reporting to her in November. Mr. Shaw confirmed that the Committee had earlier that

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