The Land Registration Rules 2003

Request for the return of certain documents

204.—(1) This rule applies to all documents on which any entry in the register of title is or was founded and which are kept by the registrar on the relevant date.

(2) During the period of 5 years beginning with the relevant date any person who delivered a document to the registrar may request the return of that document.

(3) Where at the time of the delivery of the document the person delivering the document was the registered proprietor, or was applying to become the registered proprietor, of any registered estate or registered charge in respect of which the entry referred to in paragraph (1) was made, a person who is at the date of the request the registered proprietor of any part of the same registered estate or registered charge may make a request under paragraph (2) for the document to be returned to him.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), if, at the date of the request under paragraph (2), the document is kept by the registrar he must return it to the person making the request.

(5) If the registrar receives more than one request under paragraph (2) in respect of the same document, he may either retain the document or, in his discretion, return it to one of the persons making a request.

(6) At the end of the period mentioned in paragraph (2) if there is no outstanding request in relation to the document the registrar may destroy any document if he is satisfied that—

(a) he has retained a copy of the document, or

(b) further retention of the document is unnecessary.

(7) Where a request is made for the return of a document after the end of the period mentioned in paragraph (2), the registrar may treat the request as a request under paragraph (2).

(8) The “relevant date” for the purpose of this rule is the date on which these rules come into force.