{"id":"a-1957-13","name":"Registration of Deeds Act 1957","slug":"registration-of-deeds-act-1957","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"13 of 1957","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":24204,"registerId":"act-a-1957-13-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Registration of Deeds Act 1957","content":"Australian Capital Territory\nRegistration of Deeds Act 1957\nA1957-13\nRepublication No 9\nEffective: 27 April 2016\nRepublication date: 27 April 2016\nLast amendment made by A2016-18\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Registration of Deeds Act 1957 (including any amendment made\nunder the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 27 April 2016. It\nalso includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law\nto 27 April 2016.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the\nACT legislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made\nby an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117).\nThe changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law\ninto line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication includes amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol M\nappears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying provision appears\nin the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation Act 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $150 for\nan individual and $750 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR9\n27/04/16\nRegistration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nRegistration of Deeds Act 1957\nContents\nPage\n1 Name of Act 2\n2 Dictionary 2\n2A Notes 2\n3 General register of deeds 2\n4 Registration of deeds 2\n4A Priority according to registration 5\n4B Mistakes in registration 5\n5 Index 5\n6 Searches 5\n7 Certified copies 6\n8 Determination of fees 6\n9 Approved forms 6\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Registration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\nR9\n27/04/16\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary 7\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 8\n2 Abbreviation key 8\n3 Legislation history 9\n4 Amendment history 12\n5 Earlier republications 14\n\nR9\n27/04/16\nRegistration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nRegistration of Deeds Act 1957\nAn Act providing for the registration of deeds and other documents\n\nSection 1\npage 2 Registration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\nR9\n27/04/16\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the Registration of Deeds Act 1957.\n2 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this\nAct.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary applies to the entire Act unless the\ndefinition, or another provision of the Act, provides otherwise or the\ncontrary intention otherwise appears (see Legislation Act, s 155 and\ns 156 (1)).\n2A Notes\nA note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of\nnotes.\n3 General register of deeds\nThe registrar-general must keep a register (the general register of\ndeeds) in the form the Minister directs.\n4 Registration of deeds\n(1) Subject to this section, a person may register a deed in the register—\n(a) by depositing the deed with the registrar-general; or\n(b) by producing the deed to the registrar-general and depositing\nwith the registrar-general a copy of the deed verified as a true\ncopy by the statement of a person who has compared the copy\nwith the original deed of which it purports to be a true copy; or\n\nSection 4\nR9\n27/04/16\nRegistration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(c) if the person is unable to produce the deed to the registrar-\ngeneral by reason of the fact that the deed has been registered\nby, or filed or deposited with, an officer of a State or Territory\nunder a law of that State or Territory—by depositing with the\nregistrar-general a copy of the deed, being a copy of the deed\ncertified as a true copy by the officer having the custody of the\ndeed, or being a copy of the deed that is, by virtue of the law of\nthe State or Territory under which the deed was so registered,\nfiled or deposited, evidence of the contents of the deed in the\nState or Territory.\nNote 1 A fee may be determined under s 8 (Determination of fees) for this\nsection.\nNote 2 It is an offence to make a false or misleading statement, give false or\nmisleading information or produce a false or misleading document (see\nCriminal Code, pt 3.4).\n(2) A deed must not be registered under this Act by being deposited\nwith the registrar-general unless the deed, in the opinion of the\nregistrar-general—\n(a) is legibly written; and\n(b) is on paper of a size and standard approved by the\nregistrar-general; and\n(c) will, if entered on the register, be, and continue to be, easily\nreadable.\n(3) The registrar-general may refuse to accept the deposit, under\nsubsection (1) (b) or (c), of a copy of a deed if, in his or her opinion,\nthe copy—\n(a) is not legibly written; or\n(b) is not on paper of a size and standard approved by him or her;\nor\n(c) will not, if bound in the register, be, and continue to be, easily\nreadable.\n\nSection 4\npage 4 Registration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\nR9\n27/04/16\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) Where, in the copy of a deed, not being a copy which is, by virtue of\nthe law of the State or Territory under which the deed was\nregistered, filed or deposited, evidence of the contents of the deed in\nthe State or Territory, there is an interlineation, alteration or erasure,\nthe copy shall not be deposited with the registrar-general under\nsubsection (1) (b) or (c) unless—\n(a) the interlineation or alteration, not being an alteration by\nerasure, is authenticated by the initials of the person verifying\nor certifying the copy as a true copy; and\n(b) in the case of an erasure—the words or figures appearing, at\nthe time the copy was verified or certified to be a true copy, to\nbe written on the erasure are rewritten and signed or initialled\nin the margin of the copy by the person verifying or certifying\nit to be a true copy.\n(5) Upon registering a deed in the register, the registrar-general shall\nendorse on the registration copy of the deed a memorandum of the\nregistration of the deed and of the date and time of registration\nand—\n(a) shall, if the original deed has been produced to him or her but\nhas not been deposited with him or her, endorse such a\nmemorandum on the deed; or\n(b) shall, if a copy of the deed has been deposited with him or her\nunder subsection (1) (c) and the person depositing the copy so\nrequests and produces to the registrar-general a further copy of\nthe deed duly verified to be a copy, endorse such a\nmemorandum on the further copy.\n\nSection 4A\nR9\n27/04/16\nRegistration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4A Priority according to registration\n(1) All deeds affecting any land, estate or interest in land, or other\nproperty, in the Territory which are executed or made in good faith\nand for valuable consideration and are registered under this Act,\nshall have priority according to the sequence of their registration\nonly.\nNote The Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cwlth) (PPS Act) regulates\ncertain interests in personal property. This Act has no effect to the\nextent it is inconsistent with the PPS Act.\n(2) A deed registered under this Act shall not lose any priority to which\nit would otherwise be entitled by reason only of bad faith in the\nconveying party if the party beneficially taking under that deed\nacted in good faith and there was valuable consideration given.\n4B Mistakes in registration\nThe registration of a deed under this Act shall not be defeated or\nmade ineffectual by reason of any omission, misdescription or error\nif the identity of the deed is established and the requirements of this\nAct have been substantially complied with in relation to the\nregistration of that deed.\n5 Index\nThe registrar-general shall keep an index of deeds registered in, or\nforming part of, the register.\n6 Searches\nA person may search in the index kept by the registrar-general under\nsection 5 and examine the registration copy of any deed registered in\nthe register.\n\nSection 7\npage 6 Registration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\nR9\n27/04/16\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n7 Certified copies\nThe registrar-general shall, upon receipt of an application specifying\nthe particular deed, being a deed registered in the register, of which\nthe person making the application desires to have issued to him or\nher a certified copy, issue to that person a copy of the registration\ncopy of the deed certified by the registrar-general to be a true copy\nof the registration copy of the deed.\nNote 1 A fee may be determined under s 8 (Determination of fees) for this\nsection.\nNote 2 If a form is approved under s 9 (Approved forms) for an application, the\nform must be used.\n8 Determination of fees\n(1) The Minister may, in writing, determine fees for this Act.\nNote The Legislation Act 2001 contains provisions about the making of\ndeterminations and regulations relating to fees (see pt 6.3).\n(2) A determination is a disallowable instrument.\nNote A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the\nLegislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act 2001.\n9 Approved forms\n(1) The registrar-general may, in writing, approve forms for this Act.\n(2) If the registrar-general approves a form for a particular purpose, the\napproved form must be used for that purpose.\n(3) An approved form is a notifiable instrument.\nNote A notifiable instrument must be notified under the Legislation Act 2001.\n\nDictionary\nR9\n27/04/16\nRegistration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 2)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis Act.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1 defines the following terms:\n land\n Minister (see s 162)\n person (see s 160)\n registrar-general.\ndeed includes any instrument or document, whether under seal or\nnot, other than—\n(a) a will; or\n(b) an instrument (not being a lease, or a sublease, for a term of\nyears not exceeding 3 years) that is in accordance with the\nprovisions of the Land Titles Act 1925 and purports to transfer\nor otherwise deal with or affect an estate or interest in land\nunder the provisions of that Act; or\n(c) a document that evidences, or purports to evidence, a change of\nthe name of a person.\nthe register means the general register of deeds.\nregistration copy means—\n(a) in relation to a deed that is deposited with the registrar-general\nupon the registration of the deed under this Act—the deed; and\n(b) in relation to any other deed—the copy of the deed deposited\nwith the registrar-general upon the registration of the deed\nunder this Act.\n\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\npage 8 Registration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\nR9\n27/04/16\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished\nlaw but are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The\ndetails of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced\nexpiries are underlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR9\n27/04/16\nRegistration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nThis Act was originally a Commonwealth ordinance—the Registration of Deeds\nOrdinance 1957 A1957-13 (Cwlth).\nThe Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth), s 34 (4)\nconverted most former Commonwealth ordinances in force in the ACT into ACT\nenactments. This allowed the ACT Legislative Assembly to amend and repeal the\nlaws. This Act was converted into an ACT enactment on 11 May 1989 (self-\ngovernment day).\nAs with most ordinances in force in the ACT, the name was changed from\nOrdinance to Act by the Self-Government (Citation of Laws) Act 1989 A1989-21,\ns 5 on 11 May 1989 (self-government day).\nBefore 11 May 1989, ordinances commenced on their notification day unless\notherwise stated (see Seat of Government (Administration) Act 1910 (Cwlth),\ns 12).\nLegislation before becoming Territory enactment\nRegistration of Deeds Act 1957 A1957-13\nnotified 21 November 1957\ncommenced 21 November 1957\nas amended by\nOrdinances Revision (Decimal Currency) Ordinance 1966 Ord1966-19\nnotified 23 December 1966\ncommenced 23 December 1966\nOrdinances Revision (Administrative Arrangements) Ordinance 1977\nOrd1977-18\nnotified 21 June 1977\ncommenced 21 June 1977\nRegistration of Deeds (Amendment) Ordinance 1977 Ord1977-49\nnotified 27 September 1977\ncommenced 3 October 1977\nRegistration of Deeds (Amendment) Ordinance 1978 Ord1978-25\nnotified 5 September 1978\ncommenced 3 October 1978\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 10 Registration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\nR9\n27/04/16\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRegistration of Deeds (Amendment) Ordinance 1980 Ord1980-14\nnotified 15 May 1980\ncommenced 1 July 1980\nRegistration of Deeds (Amendment) Ordinance 1982 Ord1982-79\nnotified 1 October 1982\ncommenced 1 October 1982\nRegistration of Deeds (Amendment) Ordinance 1983 Ord1983-40\nnotified 29 September 1983\ncommenced 1 October 1983\nRegistration of Deeds (Amendment) Ordinance 1985 Ord1985-22\nnotified 7 June 1985\ncommenced 7 June 1985\nLegislation after becoming Territory enactment\nRegistrar-General (Consequential Provisions) Act 1993 A1993-64\nsch 1\nnotified 6 September 1993 (Gaz 1993 No S172)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 September 1993 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 commenced 1 October 1993 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1993 No S207)\nLand Titles (Consequential Amendments) Act 1995 A1995-54 sch pt 1\nnotified 20 December 1995 (Gaz 1995 No S313)\nsch pt 1 commenced 20 June 1996 (s 2)\nBirths, Deaths and Marriages Registration (Consequential\nProvisions) Act 1997 A1997–113 sch\nnotified 24 December 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S420)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 24 December 1997 (s 2 (1))\nsch commenced 24 June 1998 (s 2 (2))\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 327\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 327 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001\nNo S65)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR9\n27/04/16\nRegistration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nRegistration of Deeds Amendment Act 2003 A2003-39\nnotified LR 8 September 2003\ns 1, s 2 commenced 8 September 2003 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 9 September 2003 (s 2)\nPowers of Attorney Act 2006 A2006-50 sch 2 pt 2.4\nnotified LR 30 November 2006\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 November 2006 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.4 commenced 30 May 2007 (s 2 and LA s 79)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2007 A2007-3 sch 3 pt 3.86\nnotified LR 22 March 2007\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 1 July 2006 (LA s 75 (2))\nsch 3 pt 3.86 commenced 12 April 2007 (s 2 (1))\nPersonal Property Securities Act 2010 A2010-15 sch 3 pt 3.3\nnotified LR 1 April 2010\ns 1, s 2 commenced 1 April 2010 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.3 commenced 30 January 2012 (s 2 (2) (b))\nRed Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2014 A2014-47 pt 12\nnotified LR 6 November 2014\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2014 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 12 commenced 7 November 2014 (s 2)\nRed Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2016 A2016-18\nsch 3 pt 3.39\nnotified LR 13 April 2016\ns 1, s 2 commenced 13 April 2016 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.39 commenced 27 April 2016 (s 2)\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 12 Registration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\nR9\n27/04/16\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nName of Act\ns 1 sub A2007-3 amdt 3.451\nDictionary\ns 2 defs reloc to dict A2007-3 amdt 3.452\nsub A2007-3 amdt 3.453\ndef determined fee ins Ord1984-40 s 4\nom A2001-44 amdt 1.3604\ndef the Registrar om A1993-64 sch 1\nNotes\ns 2A ins A2007-3 amdt 3.453\nGeneral register of deeds\ns 3 am Ord1977-18; A1993-64 sch 1\nsub A2006-50 amdt 2.20\nRegistration of deeds\ns 4 am Ord1966-19; Ord1977-49; Ord1978-25; Ord1980-14;\nOrd1982-79; Ord1983-40; A1993-64 sch 1; A2001-44\namdt 1.3605, amdt 1.3606; A2007-3 amdt 3.454; A2014-47 s\n20, s 21; A2016-18 amdt 3.179, amdt 3.180\nPriority according to registration\ns 4A ins Ord1985-22\nam A2010-15 amdt 3.3\nMistakes in registration\ns 4B ins Ord1985-22\nIndex\ns 5 am A1993-64 sch 1\nSearches\ns 6 am Ord1966-19; Ord1977-49; A1993-64 sch 1\nCertified copies\ns 7 am Ord1966-19; Ord1977-49; Ord1983-40; A1993-64 sch 1;\nA2001-44 amdts 1.3607-1.3610\nDetermination of fees\ns 8 ins Ord1983-40\nsub A2001-44 amdt 1.3611\nApproved forms\ns 9 ins A2001-44 amdt 1.3611\nThe Schedule\nsch am A1993-64 sch 1\nom A2001-44 amdt 1.3612\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR9\n27/04/16\nRegistration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\ndict ins A2007-3 amdt 3.455\ndef deed am A1993-64 sch 1; A1995-54 sch pt 1; A1997-113\nsch; A2003-39 s 4\nreloc from s 2 A2007-3 amdt 3.452\ndef the register reloc from s 2 A2007-3 amdt 3.452\ndef registration copy reloc from s 2 A2007-3 amdt 3.452\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 14 Registration of Deeds Act 1957\nEffective: 27/04/16\nR9\n27/04/16\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications\nare marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n1 Ord1985-22 31 October 1990\n2 A1997-113 31 January 1998\n3 A2001-44 12 September 2001\n4 A2003-39 9 September 2003\n5 A2007-3 12 April 2007\n6 A2006-50 30 May 2007\n7 A2010-15 30 January 2012\n8 A2014-47 7 November 2014\n© Australian Capital Territory 2016","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act remains focused on its original purpose of providing a registration system for deeds not covered by the Land Titles Act. While it has been amended over time (notably to interact with the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 and to modernise fee-setting and forms), these changes have been technical updates rather than scope expansion. The core function—maintaining a general register of deeds with priority rules—has remained consistent since 1957."},"complexity_factors":["Short statute with only 9 operative sections plus dictionary","Minimal defined terms (only 3 specific definitions: 'deed', 'the register', 'registration copy')","Straightforward procedural requirements without nested conditions","Simple cross-references limited to internal Act references and standard Legislation Act definitions","Clear sequential structure: registration process → priority rules → administrative functions (index, searches, copies, fees, forms)","No complex conditional logic or exceptions to exceptions","Language is relatively modern and accessible for a 1957 Act, though some archaic phrasing remains ('shall' rather than 'must' in places)"],"plain_english_summary":"This law creates a public \"general register of deeds\" in the ACT, run by the registrar-general, for recording legal documents affecting land that fall outside the main land titles system. It lets people deposit originals or certified copies so interests get public notice and legal protection.\n\nIt matters to property owners, buyers, lawyers and conveyancers because registered deeds gain priority by registration date, helping resolve competing claims."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act began as a procedural register for deeds but has been amended to add a statutory priority rule for registered deeds (s 4A, inserted Ord1985-22) and to recognise limits where the Commonwealth Personal Property Securities Act applies (s 4A(1) note). Amendments also formalised registrar powers, introduced Minister‑determined fees (s 8) and compulsory approved forms (s 9), and adjusted the dictionary/definitions to reflect interactions with land‑titles and other statutory schemes (see Dictionary and endnotes)."},"complexity_factors":["Administrative discretion: registrar‑general may accept or refuse deposits based on legibility, paper standard and readability (s 4(2)–(3)).","Priority rule with cross‑statute interaction: priority by sequence of registration but limited by the Personal Property Securities Act (s 4A(1) note).","Cross‑jurisdictional evidence rules: acceptance of copies certified by State/Territory officers or recognised by other jurisdictions (s 4(1)(c)).","Document integrity requirements: rules for handling interlineations, alterations and erasures in deposited copies (s 4(4)).","Error tolerance: registration not defeated by omissions or misdescriptions where identity is established (s 4B).","Regulation-making and delegated instruments: Minister may determine fees (s 8) and registrar‑general may approve mandatory forms (s 9); determinations are disallowable/notifiable instruments.","Criminal-liability overlay: false or misleading statements linked to Criminal Code offences (s 4(1) note).","Concise substantive scope but multiple historical amendments and interactions with Land Titles and other Acts increase interpretation work (endnotes/legislation history)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act sets up a public register for deeds in the ACT: people may deposit originals or certified copies, the registrar‑general keeps an index, issues certified copies, and permits searches. The registrar‑general decides whether a deed or copy meets legibility and format rules; the Minister may determine fees and the registrar approve required forms. The Act makes registration determine priority among registered deeds (subject to the Personal Property Securities Act) and preserves registrations despite minor errors if the deed can be identified. It affects anyone creating, transferring or taking interests recorded as deeds."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/registration-of-deeds-act-1957","history":"/api/acts/registration-of-deeds-act-1957/history","analysis":"/api/acts/registration-of-deeds-act-1957/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/registration-of-deeds-act-1957/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/registration-of-deeds-act-1957/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/registration-of-deeds-act-1957/documents"}}