Commentary on Sections Her Majesty’s Land Registry
171.The Land Registry’s principal function is to keep a register of title to freehold and leasehold land and charges throughout England and Wales and to record dealings in land once it is registered. On behalf of the Crown, it guarantees title to registered estates and interests in land.
172.It is a non-Ministerial Government department consisting of a Chief Land Registrar (CLR), appointed by the Secretary of State, and staff appointed by the CLR.
173.Section 34 and Schedule 5 make provision about the transfer of responsibility for local land charges from individual local authorities in England and Wales to the CLR.
174.The Land Registry has developed a Business Strategy for 2013 to 2018. The strategy was based on meeting the needs of its customers and stakeholders, facilitating digitisation of land registration services and improving the management and re-use of land and property data.
175.Section 35 provides for an extension of the Chief Land Registrar’s powers to enable the Land Registry to provide services relating to land and other property. Section 36 provides for the transfer of responsibility for nominating the consumer affairs member of the Rule Committee appointed under the Land Registration Act 2002 from the Lord Chancellor to the Secretary of State.