FOI Release: Information related to applications for registration that are not presented by a solicitor

Documents

FOI reference: CW-2024-629
Date received: 20 November 2024
Date responded: 11 December 2024

Information requested:

1. A copy of the application form and ID form used to register a deed without a solicitor that was in use in September 2018- comparable to those currently available here
2. A copy of the guidance documents that were publicly available in 2018 relating to registering a deed without a solicitor- comparable to that available here
3. Information of policy changes relating to the additional legal and fraud prevention checks that have taken place by Registers of Scotland when registering a deed without a solicitor since 2018.

Response:

The answers to your questions are below:

1. Please see pages 1-16 of enclosed ‘CW-2024-629 Information Combined’ for a copy of the application form and pages 17-22 for a copy of the ID form that were in use in September 2018 to register a deed without a solicitor.
2. Please see pages 23-25 of enclosed ‘CW-2024-629 Information Combined’ for a copy of the guidance documents that were publicly available in 2018 relating to registering a deed without a solicitor.
3. There have been no policy changes relating to additional legal and fraud prevention checks since 2018 for applications for registration that are not presented by a solicitor. We therefore hold no information for this part of your request.

Registers of Scotland carry out legal and fraud prevention checks on all applications for registration that are not presented by a solicitor. These checks are carried out to ensure the application meets the requirements for registration and to help preserve the integrity of the Register. The checks vary depending on the nature of the application and may lead to further questions being asked of the applicant before registration can be completed.