Paperless conveyancing and new protection against squatters came a step closer today as the Law Commission announced that it will publish a draft Bill this year to reform the archaic land registration system.
Law Commissioner Charles Harpum said the “monumental” changes herald “a complete rethink”.
“It will have a very profound effect”, he told PLS. “Within 10 years we will move towards a completely electronic system of conveyancing. Everything will be available on the register through the Internet, saving time and money for millions and millions of people.”
The Bill will also prevent squatters from gaining title to occupied property. Once land is registered, the owner will be unable to lose it through adverse possession claims.
Harpum said that he is pressing the government hard for the Bill to be given adequate parliamentary time.
The Commission hope to publish the draft bill before the end of the year, although they admit that it will not appear before October. The document is understood to be the biggest Bill the Commission has ever produced.
But John Samson of law firm Nabarro Nathanson doubted whether the government would give the Bill sufficient priority. “The chances of it getting through parliament are miniscule,” he said.
References: PLS News 16/6/99
