Publication

Practice guide 58: HM Land Registry’s Welsh language scheme, register format

Updated 30 January 2016

1. Overview

HM Land Registry has a Welsh Language Scheme that was prepared under section 21(3) of the Welsh Language Act 1993 and received the full endorsement of the Welsh Language Board in March 1998. The scheme provides that in the conduct of our public business in Wales, we will treat the English and Welsh languages on a basis of equality. The changes outlined in Changes and when they took effect derive from this principle.

2. Changes and when they took effect

The changes that we made to comply with the Welsh Language Scheme took effect on 1 October 2001 and were as follows.

• we now produce the register template in a bilingual format. The headings and standard information (for example, ‘Property Register’ or ‘Title Absolute’) on all registers of titles in Wales appear in Welsh and English
• individual register entries now appear in the language (English or Welsh) of the source document on which they are based. So, where Welsh is the language of the source documents, the entries are in Welsh; where English is the language of the source documents, the entries are in English. Where there is no document, the register entry reflects the language choice of the applicant whose application gave rise to that entry. For more information, see Entries that don’t arise from a deed

3. Bilingual entries

Only the register template will be bilingual. The language of the source documents will determine the language of the register entries.

4. Entries that don’t arise from a deed

Where there is no document, for example, where an entry is of a general nature or relates exclusively to the status of the title plan, the language of that entry will reflect the language choice of the applicant either in the current application or, if the current application is generated by HM Land Registry itself, on the basis of the language choice of the current registered proprietor.

5. Bilingual property descriptions

The property description (set out in the property register) will be the official address stored in our computerised property description database based on the Post Office address files. The address for service in the proprietorship register, which is personal to the individual proprietor, can be in Welsh either in accordance with the language choice of the applicant or upon request. Please note, however, that this applies to properties in Wales only. See practice guide 55: address for service for more general information, particularly as to the effect of the Land Registration Rules 2003.

6. Applications based on Welsh documents lodged before 1 October 2001

From 1 October 2001, HM Land Registry, Wales Office has printed all registers on the bilingual register template regardless of when the register itself was created. Entries arising from Welsh documents lodged prior to 1 October 2001 were translated into English for entry on the register. We do not intend to revise those entries.

7. If your property is in England, you cannot have your register in Welsh

The changes set out above affect only the registers of land in Wales. Therefore, it will not be possible for expatriate Welsh people living in England or for Welsh people who may own land in England to have the registers of their English land printed on a bilingual template. It will also not be possible to create entries in Welsh on those registers.

8. Headings or keys on title plans

There are no proposals at present to translate headings or keys on title plans.

9. Who to contact if you need further information or assistance

Please refer any queries relating to these changes to:

Eleri Sparnon Jones
Welsh Language Co-ordinator
Wales Office
Tŷ Cwm Tawe
Phoenix Way
Llansamlet
Swansea SA7 9FQ

(DX 82800 Swansea 2)

Telephone: 0300 006 9567

email: eleri.jones@landregistry.gov.uk

10. Things to remember

We only provide factual information and impartial advice about our procedures. Read more about the advice we give.