The Land Registry's forms modernisation moves into its second phase on 1 July 1999 when the Land Registration Rules 1999 take effect -- see the Land Registration Rules 1999 (SI 1999 No 128).

The process that began with the revision of forms for dispositions of whole and for applications for first registration in April 1998 -- see the Land Registration Rules 1997 (SI 1997 No 3037).

This time the new forms are mainly concerned with dispositions of part and cautions against dealings.

The existing forms were showing their age.

They were prescribed in 1925 and designed for completion by hand or typewriter.

Conveyancers were pressing for forms that they could easily produce using word processing software.

The Registry was also taking advantage of information technology and staff needed clearer forms from which they could capture the information to be entered on the register.

The 1997 and 1999 rules result from a process of review and consultation.The new forms are fewer in number than those they replace.

They have a common style.

At the top left of the first page of each form is printed in large type its identifier -- either letters (for example, WCT) or a combination of letters and numbers (for example, TP1).

The forms are divided into numbered panels, each concerned with a distinct item of information.

They are to be reproduced as they appear in the rules, but flexibility is permitted when producing a form electronically.

For example, increasing or decreasing the depth of a panel to fit the text being inserted and omitting any inapplicable statements and certificates.The Registry has produced a 'survival pack', similar to that issued last year, to introduce this second set of new forms.

The pack contains examples of completed forms and details of alterations that can be made when producing them electronically.

It also explains how to apply to the Registry's forms unit for approval of versions of the forms if produced in this way.

In June this pack will be distributed to all firms that have a credit account with the Registry.

It will also be available on request from any District Land Registry.These are the forms that conveyancers will get to know in the coming months:-- A revised form AP1 will now be the application form for all transfers, assents and charges of registered land, whether of part or of the whole of the land in a title.

It replaces form A5 as well as the original AP1 that was introduced in 1998.

To enable the application to be processed quickly and correctly, a tick box on the new form indicates whether the dealing affects the whole or part of a title and, where the part affected is a single property with its own address, the form asks for a brief description.-- One feature of the new AP1 is that, unlike the original version, there are no printed numbers for the list of documents.

Word processors sometimes generate their own numbers and practitioners have told us that the printed numbers got in the way.-- Form CN1 is the application form for cancelling notice of an unregistered lease or rentcharge.

It replaces printed forms 92 and 92R.-- Form DL has been revised so that it can be used as the list of documents to accompany form FR1 or form CN1.

It is needed with form CN1 only where title needs to be shown; for example, on the merger of an unregistered lease.-- Form CT2 is the new form for a caution against dealings.

Like the current forms 63 and 14, it combines an application form and a supporting statutory declaration.

The rules do not allow for exhibits to the declaration.

What is required is a concise description of the interest asserted by the cautioner, identifying any facts, court proceedings or documents under which the interest is claimed to arise.

The Registry will need supporting documents only if the cautioner wishes to defend the caution on a warning off.-- Form WCT is the application to withdraw a caution.

It replaces forms 16 and 71 and applies to all cautions, whether against first registration, dealings or conversion.-- Form DP1, replacing A14 and A15, is for depositing documents in the Registry.

It allows the deposit of a land or charge certificate either generally to await transfers of part or leases or, if you wish, for a particular specified purpose.-- Form TP1 is the new transfer of part of the land in one or more titles.

It takes the place of form 20.

Titles out of which land is transferred should be listed in panel 2.

Other titles affected by the transfer, for example by a restrictive covenant or grant of easement, should be listed in panel 3.

The parties must attach a plan defining the land transferred in all cases except where the land is already shown by a colour reference on the transferor's filed plan.In designing this form an attempt has been made to provide both for flexibility in drafting the various provisions required in such a transfer, and for clarity in identifying the nature of the provisions.

Practitioners who saw the consultation draft of the form will notice that the final version takes a slightly different approach to matters such as definitions, rights granted and reserved and restrictive covenants.

Instead of prescribing separate panels for these provisions, a single additional provisions panel (panel 13) with optional sub-headings has been opted for.

These sub-headings may be added to, amended, repositioned or omitted as desired.

Thus consultees who indicated that they would like to add more headings (for example, for personal covenants and for agreements and declarations) will be able to do so.Although the Registry continues to maintain that the sub-headings relating to rights granted and reserved do not need additional words of grant or reservation, such wording may be included.

In any event the land that is to benefit from reserved rights should be de fined.

In the case of restrictive covenants, words of covenant are needed.

If the transfer contains just a list of regulations, with no words of covenant, they will be entered on the register as 'stipulations' rather than covenants.-- Form TP2 is similar to TP1, being a transfer of part pursuant to a power of sale in a registered charge.-- Form TP3 is a transfer of a portfolio of titles that includes part titles.

The difference between this form and TP1 is that it combines the title number and property panels, allowing the required information to be supplied in the form of a table.

The parties will need to attach plans to define any part titles transferred.-- Form TR5 is for a transfer of a portfolio of whole titles.

Form TR1 is not wholly suitable for such transfers because it separates the title numbers from the property descriptions.

The new form allows these details, and other relevant information, to be set out as a table.-- The existing forms of transfer and assent relating to settled land have been revoked and replaced by special provisions prescribed in the rules.

These provisions can be inserted in any of the new forms of transfer or assent.-- Form AS3 replaces forms 56 and form 57 where an assent, appropriation or vesting assent affects only part of the land in a title.-- Form DS3 is the form for a release of land from a registered charge.

It replaces form 53.-- In any transfer on sale practitioners can describe the parties as the 'seller and the buyer' instead of 'the transferor and the transferee'.The new forms may be used before 1 July.

In fact, practitioners are encouraged to start using them as soon as possible so that by July they will be in a position to comply with the new rules.

However, it is recognised that practitioners may need more time to adapt and old forms will be accepted until the end of December.

After that date old forms will only be accepted in the following two cases:-- where the parties were contractually committed before 1 July to completing the transactions on that form;-- where a developer is completing sales of plots using a form of transfer of part approved by the Registry for those plots before the end of June.