Registration of Title Act 1964
Number 16 of 1964
REGISTRATION OF TITLE ACT 1964
REVISED
Updated to 17 July 2023
This Revised Act is an administrative consolidation of the Registration of Title Act 1964. It is prepared by the Law Reform Commission in accordance with its function under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975 (3/1975) to keep the law under review and to undertake revision and consolidation of statute law.
All Acts up to and including the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Temporary Solidarity Contribution) Act 2023 (23/2023), enacted 17 July 2023, and all statutory instruments up to and including the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (Commencement of Certain Provisions) (No. 2) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 369 of 2023), made 12 July 2023, were considered in the preparation of this Revised Act.
Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in the preparation of this Revised Act, the Law Reform Commission can assume no responsibility for and give no guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up to date nature of the information provided and does not accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions. Please notify any errors, omissions and comments by email to
revisedacts@lawreform.ie.
Number 16 of 1964
REGISTRATION OF TITLE ACT 1964
REVISED
Updated to 17 July 2023
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section |
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Expenses. (Repealed) |
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Continuance of existing officers, offices, registers, instruments and documents. |
Land Registry, Registers, the Authority and Jurisdiction
The Authority. (Repealed) |
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Local registrars. (Repealed) |
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Officers of central and local offices. (Repealed) |
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Exercise of powers of the Authority. (Repealed) |
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Fees. (Repealed) |
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Official seals. (Repealed) |
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Proceedings by and against the Authority. (Repealed) |
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Registration of Ownership
Devolution on Death and Descent on Intestacy
Application of Part IV. (Repealed) |
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Devolution of registered land. (Repealed) |
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Succession to beneficial interest in registered land on intestacy. (Repealed) |
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Abolition of rules of descent in relation to registered freehold land. (Repealed) |
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Saving for deaths before commencement of this Act. (Repealed) |
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Meaning of “heirs”. (Repealed) |
Miscellaneous Provisions
REPEALS
Acts Referred to |
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Registration of Title Act, 1891 |
1891, c. 66. |
Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857 |
1857, c. 60. |
Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act, 1872 |
1872, c. 58. |
Debtors Act (Ireland), 1872 |
1872, c. 57. |
Local Bankruptcy (Ireland) Act, 1888 |
1888, c. 44. |
Landed Property Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1847 |
1847, c. 32. |
Drainage (Ireland) Act, 1842 |
1842, c. 89. |
Drainage and Improvement of Land (Ireland) Act, 1863 |
1863, c. 88. |
1954, No. 25. |
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Judgment Mortgage (Ireland) Act, 1850 |
1850, c. 29. |
Landed Property Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1847 |
1847, c. 32. |
Irish Church Act, 1869 |
1869, c. 42. |
Registration of Deeds Act, 1707 |
1707, c. 2. |
Judgments (Ireland) Act, 1844 |
1844, c. 90. |
1924, No. 27. |
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Irish Church Act, 1869 |
1869, c. 42. |
The Public Offices Fees Act, 1879 |
1879, c. 58. |
1931, No. 11. |
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1959, No. 8. |
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1942. No. 26. |
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Conveyancing Act, 1881 |
1881, c. 41. |
Conveyancing Act, 1911 |
1911, c. 37. |
1946, No. 13. |
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Judgment Mortgage (Ireland) Act, 1850 |
1850, c. 29. |
Judgment Mortgage (Ireland) Act, 1858 |
1858, c. 105. |
1927, No. 19. |
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1936, No. 24. |
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1963, No. 33. |
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Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act, 1870 |
1870, c. 46. |
Settled Land Act, 1882 |
1882, c. 38. |
Settled Land Act, 1884 |
1884, c. 18. |
Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act, 1871 |
1871, c. 22. |
1957, No. 6. |
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1933, No. 12. |
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1936, No. 48. |
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Record of Title (Ireland) Act, 1865 |
1865, s. 88. |
The Registry of Deeds Office (Ireland) Holidays Act, 1883 |
1883, c. 20. |
Number 16 of 1964.
REGISTRATION OF TITLE ACT 1964
REVISED
Updated to 17 July 2023
AN ACT TO CONSOLIDATE WITH AMENDMENTS THE LAW RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF THE TITLE TO LAND. [4th July, 1964.]
BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:—
Annotations
Modifications (not altering text):
C1
Prospective affecting provisions: application of collectively cited Registration of Deeds and Title Acts 1964 and 2006 restricted by Minerals Development Act 2017 (23/2017), ss. 112(5) and 149(4), not commenced as of date of revision.
Mining facilities acquisition order
112. ....
(3) On the making of a mining facilities acquisition order for the purpose of acquiring an ancillary surface right, the right is vested in the Minister on behalf of the State.
(4) On the making of a mining facilities acquisition order for the purpose of acquiring an estate or interest in land, the estate or interest is vested in the licensee.
(5) Notwithstanding the Registration of Deeds and Title Acts 1964 and 2006, the vesting of an ancillary surface right, estate or interest under subsections (3) and (4) that affects registered land occurs when the order is made.
...
Rehabilitation acquisition order
149. ...
(3) On the making of a rehabilitation acquisition order for the purpose of acquiring an estate or interest in land, the estate or interest is vested in the Minister on behalf of the State.
(4) The vesting of an estate or interest under subsection (3) that affects registered land occurs when the order is made notwithstanding the provisions of the Registration of Deeds and Title Acts 1964 and 2006.
...
C2
Application of Act extended (1.01.2016) by Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 (21/2014), s. 26(8), S.I. No. 482 of 2015.
Charging order
26. ...
(8) A charging order affecting a house which is registered land within the meaning of the Registration of Title Act 1964 shall be registrable as a burden affecting such land whether the person named in the order as the owner of the land is or is not registered under that Act as the owner of the land.
C3
Application of collectively cited Registration of Deeds and Title Acts 1964 and 2006 restricted (15.07.2015) by European Union (Bank Recovery and Resolution) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 289 of 2015), reg. 76, in effect as per reg. 1(2).
Effect of transfer by resolution order in relation to securities.
76. (1) On and after a transfer under a resolution order or a capital instruments order, or a transfer having effect in the State in accordance with Regulation 126 in relation to property referred to in paragraph (3)(d) or (e) of Regulation 75, or a security referred to in subparagraph (f) of that paragraph, transferred by the relevant order or in accordance with Regulation 126—
(a) notwithstanding any provision of an Act referred to in paragraph (2) or any other Act that provides for the registration of assets or security, or any details of assets or security, a recipient is not required to become registered as owner of the security,
(b) notwithstanding sections 62 and 64 of the Registration of Title Act 1964 (No. 16 of 1964), a recipient has, in relation to any charge that is or is part of such a security, the powers of a mortgagee under a mortgage by deed, even though the recipient is not registered as owner of the charge,
(c) the recipient has the powers and rights conferred on the registered owner of a charge by the Registration of Title Act 1964, and
(d) where the resolution order effects an extension of, or in relation to the security so as to include future advances by or future liabilities to the recipient, the extension or inclusion need not be registered under any Act referred to in paragraph (2) under which it would otherwise be required to be registered but operates for the purposes of those Acts as if made by deed duly registered under that Act on the time of the transfer.
(2) The Acts referred to in paragraph (1)(a) and (d) are the following: ...
(d) the Registration of Deeds and Title Acts 1964 and 2006;
...
C4
Application of collectively cited Registration of Deeds and Titles Acts 1964 and 2006 restricted (21.09.2011) by European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477 of 2011), reg. 42(22).
Screening for Appropriate Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of implications for European Sites
42. ...
(22) Notwithstanding any provision of any statute listed in the Second Schedule that provides for the consent for a plan or project to which this Regulation applies to be obtained by default on the failure of the public authority to provide a response within a specified timescale or otherwise, that provision shall not have effect in respect of any plan or project to which this Regulation applies.
...
SECOND SCHEDULE
...
Registration of Deeds and Title Acts 1964 and 2006
...
C5
Application of collectively cited Registration of Deeds and Titles Acts 1964 and 2006 restricted (28.10.2011) by Credit Central Bank and Credit Institutions (Resolution) Act 2011 (27/2011), s. 50(1)(a), (d) and (2), S.I. No. 548 of 2011.
Effect of transfer order in relation to securities.
50.— (1) On and after the transfer of assets and liabilities under a transfer order, in relation to property referred to in paragraph (d) or (e) of subsection (4) of section 49 or a security referred to in paragraph (f) of that subsection, transferred by the order—
(a) notwithstanding any provision of an Act referred to in subsection (2) or any other Act that provides for the registration of assets or security, or any details of assets or security, a transferee is not required to become registered as owner of the security,
...
(c) the transferee has the powers and rights conferred on the registered owner of a charge by the Registration of Title Act 1964, and
(d) if the transfer order effects an extension of or in relation to the security so as to include future advances by or future liabilities to the transferee, the extension need not be registered under any Act referred to in subsection (2) under which it would otherwise be required to be registered, but operates for the purposes of those Acts as if made by deed duly registered under that Act on the time of the transfer.
(2) The Acts referred to in paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (1) are the following: ...
(d) the Registration of Deeds and Title Acts 1964 and 2006;
...
C6
Application of collectively cited Registration of Deeds and Titles Acts 1964 and 2006 restricted (21.12.2010) by Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010 (36/2010), s. 40(1)(a), (d) and (2), S.I. No. 623 of 2010.
Effect of transfer order in relation to securities.
40.— (1) On and after the transfer of assets and liabilities under a transfer order, in relation to property referred to in paragraph (d) or (e) of section 39 (4) or a security referred to in paragraph (f) of that section, transferred by the order—
(a) notwithstanding any provision of an Act listed in subsection (2) or any other Act that provides for the registration of assets or security, or any details of assets or security, a transferee is not required to become registered as owner of the security,
...
(d) where the transfer order effects an extension of or in relation to the security so as to include future advances by or future liabilities to the transferee, the extension need not be registered under any Act listed in subsection (2) under which it would otherwise be required to be registered, but operates for the purposes of those Acts as if made by deed duly registered under that Act on the date of transfer.
(2) The Acts referred to in paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (1) are the following:
...
(d) the Registration of Deeds and Title Acts 1964 and 2006;
...
C7
Application of collectively cited Registration of Deeds and Titles Acts 1964 and 2006 restricted (21.12.2009) by National Asset Management Agency Act 2009 (34/2009), s. 107(1)(c), S.I. No. 545 of 2009.
NAMA not required to register certain instruments, etc.
107.— (1) Where a bank asset has been acquired by NAMA or a NAMA group entity—
(a) notwithstanding anything in any Act listed in subsection (2) or any other Act that provides for the registration of assets, security or details of them, NAMA or the NAMA group entity is not required to become registered as owner of any security that is part of the bank asset,
(b) notwithstanding sections 62 and 64 of the Registration of Title Act 1964, NAMA or the NAMA group entity has, in relation to any such charge, the powers of a mortgagee under a mortgage by deed, even though NAMA or the NAMA group entity is not registered as owner of any such charge,
(c) NAMA or the NAMA group entity has the powers and rights conferred on the registered owner of a charge by the Registration of Title Act 1964.
(2) The Acts referred to subsection (1) (a) are the following: ...
(d) the Registration of Deeds and Title Acts 1964 and 2006;
...
C8
Application of Act restricted (21.02.2003) by Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003 (1/2003), s. 62(2), commenced on enactment, as amended (4.11.2006) by Finance Act 2008 (3/2008), s. 128(1)(b), commenced as per subs. (2).
Certificate relating to registration of title based on possession.
62.— ...
(2) A person shall not be registered as owner of property in a register of ownership maintained under the Act of 1964 on foot of an application made to the [Authority] on or after the date of the passing of this Act which is—
(a) based on possession, and
(b) made under the Rules of 1972, or any other rule made for carrying into effect the objects of the Act of 1964,
unless the applicant produces to the [Authority] a certificate issued by the Commissioners to the effect that the Commissioners are satisfied—
(i) that the property did not become charged with gift tax or inheritance tax during the relevant period, or
(ii) that any charge for gift tax or inheritance tax to which the property became subject during that period has been discharged, or will (to the extent that it has not been discharged) be discharged within a time considered by the Commissioners to be reasonable.
...
C9
Application of Act modified (22.03.2002) by Asset Covered Securities Act 2001 (47/2001), s. 58(10), S.I. No. 94 of 2002.
Transfer of business or assets from one credit institution to another.
58.— ...
(10) A transfer of an asset under this section, whether specifically or as part of a transfer of a business, does not need to be registered under the Registration of Deeds Act, 1707, the Bills of Sale (Ireland) Acts, 1879 and 1883, the Companies Act, 1963, the Registration of Title Act, 1964, and any other Act that provides for the registration of assets or details of them. For the purposes of any of those Acts that would apply to it but for this subsection, such a transfer has effect as a deed registered on the date on which it took effect.
...
C10
Application of Act restricted (20.04.2001) by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1989 (Section 57) (TSB Bank) Order 2001 (S.I. No. 175 of 2001), reg. 5(e).
CONSEQUENTIAL PROVISIONS
5. The following shall have effect with effect from the transfer date— ...
(e) a security held by TSB Bank as security for a debt or other liability to TSB Bank incurred before the transfer date shall be available to the transferee as security for the discharge of that debt or liability and where the security extends to future or prospective debts or liabilities, shall be available as security for the discharge of debts or liabilities to the transferee incurred on or after the transfer date and in relation to a security, the transferee shall be entitled to all the rights and priorities (howsoever arising) and shall be subject to all liabilities to which TSB Bank would have been entitled or subject to if TSB Bank had not been reorganised into the transferee, and in relation thereto the following provisions shall have effect;
(i) the transfer of any such security effected or deemed to have been effected by this Order shall not require registration under or in pursuance of the Registration of Deeds Act, 1707, the Registration of Title Act, 1964, or section 99 of the Act of 1963, but shall operate for the purposes of those Acts as if it were made by deed duly registered on the transfer date under or in pursuance of whichever of those Acts may be applicable thereto;
(ii) to the extent that this Order effects an extension of or in relation to any such security so as to include future advances or future liabilities to the transferee, such extension shall not require registration under or in pursuance of the Registration of Deeds Act, 1707, the Bills of Sale (Ireland) Acts, 1879 and 1883, the Registration of Title Act, 1964, or section 99 of the Act of 1963, but shall operate for the purposes of those Acts as if it were made by deed duly registered on the transfer date under or in pursuance of whichever of those Acts may be applicable thereto;
...
C11
Application of Act restricted by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1989 (21/1989), s. 57(12)(e), (13)(b)-(c), and (14), as substituted (28.03.2001) by Trustee Savings Banks (Amendment) Act 2001 (6/2001), s. 1, commenced on enactment.
Authorisation by Minister for Finance of reorganisation of trustee savings banks into companies.
57.— ...
(12) An order may include provisions to the effect that— ...
(e) a security held by a bank as security for a debt or other liability to the bank incurred before the transfer date shall be available to the relevant company as security for the discharge of that debt or liability and where the security extends to future or prospective debts or liabilities, shall be available as security for the discharge of debts or liabilities to the relevant company incurred on or after the transfer date and in relation to a security, the relevant company shall be entitled to all the rights and priorities (howsoever arising) and shall be subject to all liabilities to which the bank would have been entitled or subject to if the bank had not been reorganised into the relevant company, and in relation thereto the following provisions shall have effect—
(i) the transfer of any such security effected or deemed to have been effected by an order shall not require registration under or in pursuance of the Registration of Deeds Act, 1707, the Registration of Title Act, 1964, or section 99 of the Act of 1963, but shall operate for the purposes of those Acts as if it were made by deed duly registered on the transfer date under or in pursuance of whichever of those Acts may be applicable thereto,
(ii) where an order effects an extension of or in relation to any such security so as to include future advances or future liabilities to the relevant company such extension shall not require registration under or in pursuance of the Registration of Deeds Act, 1707, the Bills of Sale (Ireland) Acts, 1879 and 1883, the Registration of Title Act, 1964, or section 99 of the Act of 1963, but shall operate for the purposes of those Acts as if it were made by deed duly registered on the transfer date under or in pursuance of whichever of those Acts may be applicable thereto;
...
(13) ...
(b) An order insofar as it provides for the transfer of any property (whether real or personal) or any agreement or deed made pursuant to an order shall not require registration under or in pursuance of the Registration of Deeds Act, 1707, the Registration of Title Act, 1964, section 99 of the Act of 1963 or any other Act, but shall operate for the purposes of those Acts as if the transfer of any property concerned were made by deed duly registered on the transfer date under or in pursuance of whichever of those Acts may be applicable thereto, and subject, where necessary, to a transfer in the books of any bank, corporation or company, the property so transferred shall become the property of and be absolutely vested in the relevant company for all the estate, term or interest for which the same immediately before such transfer was vested in or belonged to or was held in trust for the relevant owner.
(c) An order or any agreement or deed made pursuant to an order may, at the option of the relevant company be registered pursuant to the provisions of the Registration of Deeds Act, 1707, the Registration of Title Act, 1964, section 99 of the Act of 1963 or any other Act.
(14) Without prejudice to the foregoing, an order may make provision for such other matters including the vesting in the relevant company of all or part of the business, property, rights and liabilities of the bank concerned (including deposits in the bank concerned and the liabilities referable thereto) and adaptation and modification, as respects the relevant company of statutes and instruments made under statute as the Minister considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of the reorganisation concerned and for enabling any such reorganisation to have full effect.
...
C12
Application of Act restricted (11.04.1994) by Finance Act 1994 (13/1994), s. 146(1), commenced as per subs. (1), as amended (4.11.2006) by Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006 (12/2006), s. 4(2), S.I. No. 511 of 2006.
Certificate relating to registration of title based on possession.
146.—(1) After the passing of this Act a person shall not be registered as owner of property in a register of ownership maintained under the Act of 1964 on foot of an application made to the [Authority] on or after the 11th day of April, 1994, which is—
(a) based on possession, and
(b) made under the Rules of 1972, or any other rule made for carrying into effect the objects of the Act of 1964,
unless the applicant produces to the [Authority] a certificate issued by the Commissioners to the effect that the Commissioners are satisfied—
(i) that the property did not become charged with gift tax or inheritance tax during the relevant period, or
(ii) that any charge for gift tax or inheritance tax to which the property became subject during that period has been discharged, or will (to the extent that it has not been discharged) be discharged within a time considered by the Commissioners to be reasonable.
...
C13
Application of Act restricted (1.02.1990) by Trustee Savings Banks Act 1989 (21/1989), s. 51, S.I. No. 21 of 1990 as amended (21.12.2010) by Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010 (36/2010), s. 73 and sch. 1 part 3 item 9, S.I. No. 623 of 2010.
Rights and obligations in relation to transferred securities.
51.—The amalgamated bank shall, in relation to [any property transferred in accordance with or by virtue of the provisions of section 34A or] any security transferred or deemed to have been transferred to the amalgamated bank in accordance with or by virtue of the provisions of section 50 and the moneys thereby secured in accordance with those provisions, be entitled to the same rights and priorities and subject to the same obligations and incidents as the bank concerned would have been entitled and subject to if the security had continued to be held by the bank concerned, and in relation thereto the following provisions shall have effect:
(a) the transfer of any such security effected or deemed to be effected by section 50 shall not require registration under or in pursuance of the Registration of Deeds Act, 1707, the pre-Union Irish statute 33 Geo. 2, c. 14 (Ir.), the Registration of Title Act, 1964, or section 99 of the Act of 1963, but shall operate for the purposes of those Acts as if it were made by deed duly registered on the amalgamation day under or in pursuance of whichever of those Acts may be applicable thereto;
(b) where section 50 effects an extension of or in relation to any such security so as to include future advances by or future liabilities to the amalgamated bank, such extension shall not require registration under or in pursuance of the Registration of Deeds Act, 1707, the Bills of Sale (Ireland) Acts, 1879 and 1883, the Registration of Title Act, 1964, or section 99 of the Act of 1963, but shall operate for the purposes of those Acts as if it were made by deed duly registered on the amalgamation day under or in pursuance of whichever of those Acts may be applicable thereto.
C14
Application of Act restricted (1.09.1971) by Central Bank Act 1971 (24/1971), s. 36, S.I. No. 228 of 1971, as amended (21.12.2010) by Credit Institutions (Stabilisation) Act 2010 (36/2010), s. 73 and sch. 1 part 3 item 9, S.I. No. 623 of 2010.
Rights and obligations in relation to transferred securities.
36.—The transferee shall, in relation to [any property transferred in accordance with or by virtue of the provisions of section 34A or] any security transferred or deemed to have been transferred to the transferee in accordance with J or by virtue of the provisions of section 35 of this Act and the moneys thereby secured in accordance with those provisions, be entitled to the same rights and priorities and subject to the same obligations and incidents as the transferor would have been entitled and subject to if the same had continued to be held by the transferor, and in relation thereto the following provisions shall have effect—
(a) the transfer of any such security effected or deemed to be effected by section 35 of this Act shall not require registration under or in pursuance of the Registration of Deeds Act, 1707, the pre-Union Irish statute 33 Geo. 2, c. 14 (Ir.), the Registration of Title Act, 1964, or section 99 of the Companies Act, 1963, but shall operate for the purposes of those Acts as if it were made by deed duly registered on the transfer date under or in pursuance of whichever of those Acts may be applicable thereto;
(b) where section 35 of this Act effects an extension of or in relation to any such security so as to include future advances by or future liabilities to the transferee, such extension shall not require registration under or in pursuance of the Registration of Deeds Act, 1707, the Bills of sale (Ireland) Acts, 1879 and 1883, the Registration of Title Act, 1964, or section 99 of the Companies Act, 1963, but shall operate for the purposes of those Acts as if it were made by deed duly registered on the transfer date under or in pursuance of whichever of those Acts may be applicable thereto.
Editorial Notes:
E1
Previous affecting provision: application of Act modified (2.10.1972) by Land Registration Rules 1972 (S.I. No. 230 of 1972), rls. 226-227; revoked (rescinded) (1.02.2013) by Land Registration Rules 2012 (S.I. No. 483 of 2012), rule 1, in force as per rule.