The Gazette 1977

A P R IL 1977

GAZETTE

Mr. McEvoy had particular difficulties related to maps prepared prior to 1st September which now had to be redrawn on the 25" scale. Mr. Griffith said that solicitors' difficulties in Sub- division cases should be eased because of the Land Commission having recently agreed that where an application for consent to sub-division was made to them they would not require the production of a Land Registry copy Map of the holding if the part transferred was a small area (under three acres) and shown on an Ordnance Survey sheet. The Land Commission and Land Registry requirements would now be identical in these cases. 11. The position regarding availability of Ordnance Survey Maps While there was some suggestion of inconvenience being caused by delays in getting O.S. maps Mr. Ivers said that this was not a major subject of complaint. Mr. Donnelly suggested that a further meeting with the Ordnance Survey Office could be arranged later if Mr. Ivers thought this necessary. 12. Delays in First Registration cases Generally, this was regarded as one of the major problem areas where delays were concerned. Mr. Buckley said that while he recognised that voluntary applications for First Registration did not normally merit equal priority with compulsory First Registration cases there were nevertheless some instances (such as where part of a building estate was already registered and an application for the registration of the remaining part had been submitted) which, he felt, should get priority. Mr O'Donnell suggested that where counsel's opinion was available to the effect that title was good, this should be accepted for registration purposes. Mr. Griffith promised to look into the matter. He said that, in general, the Land Registry gave priority to any House Purchase cases. The Rules Committee had agreed to make an amendment to the Land Registration Rules (subject to the concurrence of the Minister) extending from £20,000 to £25,000 the value of the property where a solicitor's certificate may be accepted as evidence of title. Mr. Donnelly said that at the last meeting he had mentioned that the Study Group was hoping to report on the First Registration area soon. The Study Group had recently reported and had recommended a change in the method of dealing with applications for First Registration, which would involve initial processing of these cases by the dealings groups before they were referred to the Examiners. It was hoped that by relieving the Examiners of the more routine aspects of examination of title the time of the Examiners would be used more productively and the delays in dealing with first registrations would be reduced. 13. Some implications of the Landlord and Tenant Bill, 1977 Mr. Moore outlined some points which he wished to have considered in the proposed legislation. At Mr. Donnelly's suggestion, he agreed to write to the Department on the matter.

14. Difficulties caused for solicitors by the Registrar's requirements under the Family Home Protection Act Mr. O'Donnell outlined these difficulties which were related to the Registrar's requirement that a solicitor's certificate should be lodged with applications affected by the Act. Mr. Moore said that this arrangement had been agreed with the Registrar subject to review when there would be some experience of its practical operation. 15. Complaints about the Registry of Deeds It was agreed that a situation which had arisen some months ago about the service being provided for searchers had been remedied satisfactorily. Mr. Buckley said that the complaints had now moved to the comparison area where he understood there was an unfilled vacancy. Mr. Donnelly said the vacancy had now been filled. (i) Mr. Buckley and Mr. O'Donnell suggested that it would be much more convenient for solicitors if they could requisition a copy of the new folio when they were lodging the application (Form 17) for registration. Mr. Griffith promised to consider this. (ii) Mr. Lanigan suggested that the location of the certificate placed on copy documents might be examined and standardised as far as possible so as to facilitate further office copying. Mr. Griffith promised to consider this also. 17. Summary of matters agreed and/or requiring attention (a) The position about delays in priority searches would be looked into by the Registrar. (b) The possibilities of making folios (particularly omnibus folios) more readily available for inspection would be explored by the Registrar. (c) The necessity for Land Certificates at all or a possible reduction in their use would be considered by the Registrar. (d) The position as to whether there were unacceptable delays in supplying Ordnance maps would be looked into by the Director General. (e) Priorities, certification and delays generally in first registration cases would be examined by the Registrar. (0 Mr. Moore would communicate with the Department about the Landlord and Tenant Bill, 1977. (g) The Registrar would review his requirements under the Family Home Protection Act, (h) The Director General would communicate (to the Registrar of the Department) his requirements regarding statistical information. (i) The Registrar would consider a suggestion about the lodgment of applications for new copy folios with the applications for registration, and (j) The Registrar would consider standardising the location of certificates on copy documents so as to facilitate further copying. 16. Miscellaneous suggestions

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