52.—(1) In this section and in section 53—

(a) references to the land of a deceased person are references to land to which he was entitled or over which he exercised a general power of appointment by will;

(b) “person entitled” includes, in relation to any estate or interest in land—

(i) the person or persons (including the personal representatives of the deceased or any of them) who (whether by devise, bequest, devolution or otherwise) may be beneficially entitled to that estate or interest, and

(ii) the trustee or trustees or the personal representative or representatives of any such person or persons.

(2) Without prejudice to any other power conferred by this Act on personal representatives with respect to any land of a deceased person, the personal representatives may at any time after the death of the deceased execute an assent vesting any estate or interest in any such land in the person entitled thereto or may transfer any such estate or interest to the person entitled thereto, and may make the assent or transfer either subject to or free from a charge for the payment of any money which the personal representatives are liable to pay.

(3) Where an assent or transfer under subsection (2) is made subject to a charge for all moneys, if any, which the personal representatives are liable to pay, all liabilities of the personal representatives in respect of the land shall cease, except as to any acts done or contracts entered into by them before the assent or transfer.

(4) At any time after the expiration of one year from the death of an owner of land, if the personal representatives have failed on the request of the person entitled to transfer, by assent or otherwise, the land to the person entitled, the court may, if it thinks fit, on the application of the person entitled and after notice to the personal representatives, order that the transfer be made, and, in default of compliance with that order within the time specified therein by the court, may make an order vesting the land in the person entitled as fully and effectually as might have been done by a transfer thereof by the personal representatives.

(5) An assent not in writing shall not be effectual to pass any estate or interest in land.

(6) The statutory covenants implied where a person is expressed in a deed to convey as personal representative shall also be implied in any assent signed by a personal representative unless the assent otherwise provides.

(7) Subject to section 20, it shall not be lawful for some or one only of several personal representatives, without leave of the court, to make an assent or transfer under this section.

(8) This section shall not operate to impose any stamp duty in respect of an assent.