Section 5 of the Land Registration Act 2002 confers power on the Lord Chancellor, exercisable by statutory instrument, to prescribe additional events that trigger compulsory first registration of title to land. Land Registry has recently issued a consultation paper, on behalf of the Lord Chancellor, seeking views on the introduction of two new trigger events, aimed at making further progress towards a comprehensive land register. The events proposed are the appointment of a new trustee and the partition of land among trust beneficiaries. The consultation period runs from 19 November 2007 to 29 February 2008. No decision will be made about the introduction of new triggers until all responses to the consultation have been evaluated.
Land Registry constantly keeps such matters under review and is continuously reviewing the security control and access restrictions in place for its internal and external online systems. Land Registry withdrew access to documents available electronically via Land Registry Online on 5 November 2007 and believes this to be a positive step that will help to alleviate the risk of misuse. It would be inappropriate to give details of the specific measures Land Registry has in place to combat abuse and illegal access or those it is considering introducing. Land Registry does have in place a robust anti-fraud strategy and all measures in place are regularly reviewed and revised, with a view to strengthening the protection they provide. Land Registry is working with the police and other organisations to refine its strategy and to develop its expertise in this area.