PART 5Northern Ireland Dispositions

Amendment of the Land Registration Act (Northern Ireland) 197010

1

Schedule 8A to the Land Registration Act (Northern Ireland) 19706 is amended as follows.

2

After paragraph 4 (Registrable dispositions by overseas entity entitled to be registered (but not registered)), insert—

4AConsent to registration of dispositions that cannot otherwise be registered

1

The Secretary of State may consent to the registration of a disposition that would otherwise be prohibited by an inhibition entered under paragraph 3, or by paragraph 4, if satisfied—

a

that at the time of the disposition the person to whom it was made did not know, and could not reasonably have been expected to know, of the prohibition, and

b

that in all the circumstances it would be unjust for the disposition not to be registered.

2

The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision in connection with applications for consent, and the giving of consent, under sub-paragraph (1).

3

The regulations may, for example, make provision about—

a

who may apply;

b

evidence;

c

time limits.

4

Regulations made under sub-paragraph (2) are to be made by statutory instrument within the meaning given by section 1 of the Statutory Instruments Act 19467 subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

3

In paragraph 3(5) —

a

omit “or” at the end of paragraph (d), and

b

after paragraph (d) insert—

da

the Secretary of State gives consent under paragraph 4A to the registration of the disposition, or

4

In paragraph 4(3) —

a

omit “or” at the end of paragraph (d), and

b

after paragraph (d) insert—

da

the Secretary of State gives consent under paragraph 4A to the registration of the disposition, or

5

In paragraph 5(1), after “An overseas entity must not make a registrable disposition of a qualifying estate if” insert “, disregarding the possibility of consent under paragraph 4A,”.