Abolition of Land Certificates:Procedure for Registration of a Lien

Since 1 January 2007, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) has ceased to issue land certificates and certificates of charge (certificate) under the Registration of Title Act 1964. However, any certificate already issued before that date will still need to be lodged with applications for registration for a three-year period after 1 January 2007. However, any certificate lodged with a dealing during that three-year period will not be reissued by the PRA, and will be cancelled. Any certificate issued before 1 January 2007, which has not already been cancelled by 1 January 2010, will cease to have force or effect from 1 January 2010.

Section 73(3)(b) of the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006 provides that any person holding a lien over a certificate may apply to the PRA before 1 January 2010 for registration of the lien in such manner as the PRA may determine. The PRA has now drafted an application procedure for registration of a lien created through deposit or possession of a certificate. This procedure and the format of application and notice are set out in the PRA Practice Direction (2006) No 3, which is available on the PRA website: www.prai.ie.