Warning on pitfalls of land registry

ESTABLISHING a land registry would be desirable but not without possible problems, a leading advocate has warned.

Investigations into setting one up are set to start following approval by States members of Treasury and Resources' proposals that a registry using digital mapping technology to plot boundaries accurately should be investigated, as opposed to the current Registry of Deeds held at the Greffe.

Advocate Paul Nettleship (pictured), of Collas Day's property team, supported the proposal, but said there were a number of hurdles to consider.

'We are looking all the time at ways to improve efficiencies, lower costs, and pass these savings on to the client.

'A land registry, if properly established, could help achieve this. That is not to say it would be straightforward and without its problems. For example, we have seen an exponential rise in the number of boundary disputes in recent years.

'A land registry would not solve these problems, but would bring some of them to the fore.'

He said the use of Global Positioning System would be good, but there would be cost implications and it would not necessarily help with establishing ownership of all boundary features.

Another issue was that of guarantee of title.