Citation and commencement

1. These Rules may be cited as the Land registration (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2011 and shall come into operation on 3 October 2011.

Interpretation

2.-(1) In these Rules-

"the Land Registration Rules" means the Land Registration Rules (Northern Ireland) 1994 (as amended)(4);

(2) a reference to a rule or form is a reference to a rule or form in the Land Registration Rules.

Amendment of the Land registration Rules

3. The Land Registration Rules are amended in accordance with the Schedule.

Regulation 3

SCHEDULEAMENDMENT OF THE LAND REGISTRATION RULES

1. In Rule 2 (1) (Interpretation)(5)-

(a)after the definition of "appurtenance", insert-

""authorised user" means a person who has been authorised by the Registrar under Rule 31(5) to use the Land Registry computer system by way of the Land Registry direct access service for registration purposes;";

(b)after the definition of "authorised user" insert-

""certificate" includes a land certificate and a certificate of charge;";

(c)after the definition of "office copy", insert-

""the Land Registry computer system" means the computer system operated by the Registry to enable creation of electronic documents and the electronic generation and communication of applications for first registration or registration of an authorised dealing with registered land;";

(d)after the definition of "the Land Registry computer system" insert-

""the Land Registry direct access service" means the service provided by or on behalf of the Registrar which allows remote direct access by computer for the purpose of sending and retrieving information in respect of the Register;";

2. In Rule 11(1) (Presentation of applications for first registration)(6) for subparagraph (c) substitute-

"(c)applications for registration with a possessory title may be made in Form 3 or Form 3A."

3. In Rule 31 (Presentation and receipt of dealings for registration)-

(a)delete paragraph (2)(c)

(b)after paragraph (2) insert-

"(3) An application for registration may be presented through the Land Registry direct access service in such form as the Registrar may direct.

(4) (a) An application for registration using the Land Registry direct access service may only be made by an authorised user.

(b)An application for registration by an authorised user using the Land Registry direct access service may be made in accordance with paragraph (3) and where any proofs or documents are required in respect of registration the authorised user shall certify that such proofs or documents have been adhered to and are in the possession of the authorised user. The Registrar may in his discretion require production of any such proofs or documents in any particular case.

(5) (a) An application may be made to the Registrar for permission to use the Land Registry direct access service as an authorised user.

(b)On making an application, an applicant shall submit such information as will enable the Registrar to be satisfied that suitable arrangements have been made for the payment of any fees incurred by the applicant.

(c)The Registrar may grant an application upon such terms as he may direct or, where he considers it appropriate to do so, reject an application.

(d)Any authorised user of the Land Registry direct access service shall, on being required to do so by the Registrar submit such information as will enable the Registrar to be satisfied that the requirements of paragraph (b) continue to be met."

4. Delete Rule 32 (Refusal to grant an order for the production, dispensation or issue of a land certificate or certificate of charge).

5. In Rule 66 (Forms of charge) for "Form 28, 29, 30 or 31 as the case may require" substitute "such form as the Registrar may direct or accept".

6. In Rule 120 (Form of land certificate)(7) after paragraph (2) insert-

"(3) Upon the issue or re-issue of a land certificate on completion of an application for registration using the Land Registry direct access service the Registrar may, unless the registered owner has requested a paper certificate, issue the certificate as an electronic document.

(4) A land certificate issued by the Registrar as an electronic document shall contain all entries subsisting on the folio to which it relates at the date of the issue of the land certificate."

7. In Rule 121 (Form of Certificate of charge)(8) after paragraph (2) insert-

"(3) Upon the issue or re-issue of a certificate of charge on completion of an application for registration using the Land Registry direct access service the Registrar may unless the registered owner has requested a paper certificate issue the certificate as an electronic document.

(4) A certificate of charge issued by the Registrar as an electronic document shall certify the registration of the charge as a burden in the folio affected and the ownership of the charge."

8. In Rule 128 (Production of certificates)(9)-

(a)for paragraph (1) substitute-

"(1) Subject to paragraph (2) except in the case of an application under Rule 137(1) a certificate need not be produced to the Registrar in connection with the registration of a dealing with the estate to which the certificate relates."

(b)for paragraph (2) substitute-

"(2) In any particular case the Registrar may in his discretion require the applicant to produce a certificate relating to the relevant estate."

9. Delete Rule 134 (Record of outstanding certificates).

10. In Rule 136 (Lodgement of certificate for registration of dealing) delete paragraph (3).

11. In Rule 137 (Deposit of certificate)-

(a)for paragraph (1) substitute-

"(1) Any person with whom a certificate is deposited for the purpose of giving security for the payment of money may apply for the registration of a notice of that deposit by lodging the certificate in the Registry together with an application in Form 73."

(b)in paragraph (2) delete the final sentence.

12. In Rule 138 (Delivery of certificates) delete the words ", either be treated as lodged in the Registry for the registration of another dealing or".

13. In Rule 149 (Revision of registry map and verbal description) after paragraph (1) insert-

"(1A) Where it has been brought to the attention of the Registrar that the positional accuracy of any folio boundary has been affected by a revision of Ordnance Survey digital mapping detail, the Registrar may, after making such enquiries and serving such notices (if any) as he considers necessary, arrange for such folio boundary to be reinstated as accurately as possible."

14. In Rule 209 (Applications for registration) in subparagraph (f) of paragraph (2) delete "and, where the charge is a money charge, the amount of the charge and rate of interest (if any) thereon".

15. In Schedule 2-

(a)delete Forms 2 and 3.

(b)after Form 1 insert-

(c)delete Forms 28, 29, 30 and 31.

(d)for Form 73 substitute-

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These rules make amendments to the Land Registration Rules (Northern Ireland) 1994 in order to facilitate the use of electronic communication and prescribe revised forms for applications for first registration with a qualified title and a possessory title.

The Schedule to the Rules-

(a)Inserts definitions into Rule 2(1) (Interpretation).

(b)Substitutes a new subparagraph (c) into Rule 11(1), which relates to applications for first registration.

(c)Amends Rule 31 to permit applicants for registration to apply to be authorised as users of the Land Registry direct access service and prescribes conditions attaching to the use of that system for electronic applications for registration.

(d)Deletes Rule 32, which relates to orders for production of certificates.

(e)Amends Rule 66 in order to simplify applications for registration of money charges.

(f)Amends Rules 120 and 121 to permit the Registrar to issue electronic land certificates and certificates of charge, unless a registered owner requests a paper certificate, and provides for the form of such certificates.

(g)Amends Rule 128 to provide that it shall not be necessary for applications for registration, other than in respect of notices of deposit, to be accompanied by a certificate of title and makes a consequential amendment to Rule 138.

(h)Deletes Rule 134, which relates to the record of replacement certificates.

(i)Deletes paragraph (3) of Rule 136, which relates to the lodgement of certificates.

(j)Amends the procedure for the registration of notices of deposit of certificates (Rule 137) and substitutes a new application form (Form 73).

(k)Amends Rule 138 as a consequence of the amendment of Rule 128.

(l)Amends Rule 149 to take account of the computerisation of the registry map.

(m)Amends Rule 209(2)(f) so as to simplify applications for registration of money charges on the Statutory Charges Register.

(n)Replaces Forms 2 and 3, which relate to applications for first registration, with new Forms 2, 3 and 3A.

(o)Deletes Forms 28, 29, 30 and 31 which relate to charges.

(p)Replaces Form 73, which relates to notice of deposit of a land certificate or a certificate of charge for the purpose of giving security for payment of money, with a new Form 73.