The system of title by registration has only been in existence for a relatively short time. Originally, a Land Grant was written on parchment and handed to the proprietor. This was the only copy of ownership, and remained in possession of the owner of the land. Details of ownership were not recorded and therefore were not open to public search.

Title to land was transferred by deed, which was handed over to the new owner, together with the title. Since the title itself was not noted, every deed formed part of the chain of documentation proving ownership back to the original Land Grant. If any of the deeds became lost, ownership could no longer be established with certainty.

In 1841 an office was established in Adelaide, South Australia, for the purpose of registration of deeds. For the first time the public had an opportunity to examine deeds claiming title to land.

In 1857 (Sir) Robert Torrens introduced his Bill to the South Australian Parliament which was to become the Real Property Act. The system embodied in the Act has been picked up in other Australian jurisdictions.

Related Information:
Torrens Title
SA Surveying History