THINGS TO NOTE IN PROPERTY Flashcards
When is a Deed Required?
- All conveyances of land or of any interest therein are void for the purpose of conveying or creating a legal estate unless made by deed.
*SEC 77(1) PCL** - When a contract lacking considerations is to be created i.e gift
- A lease for a term exceeding 3 years
- For vesting declarations-An order appointing new trustees
- POA must be by deed -ABINA V FARHAT
- To vary, modify, revoke, ratify or amend a POA made by deed.
- Voluntary Surrender
When a Deed not required?
*SEC 77(2) PCL**
1. Assent by person reps
2. Vesting Order of the court
3. Surrender by an Operation of law
4. A lease/tenancy not exceeding 3 years
5. Receipts not required by law to be under seal
6. Disclaimer i.e refusal of a gift of land by the beneficiary
7. Transaction covered by the rule in Walsh v Lonsdale
What is Assent?
An “assent” refers to the formal act by which personal representatives (such as executors or administrators) of a deceased person’s estate transfer or convey land or property to the beneficiaries entitled to it.
It need not be by deed
What is a Disclaimer?
A disclaimer occurs when a person refuses or rejects a right, interest, claim or property they are entitled to.
It may be done expressly or impliedly & need not be by deed.
Difference between a Vesting Order & Vesting Declaration?
A Vesting Order is a court order that transfers the legal title of property or assets from one party to another without the need for a traditional conveyance (like a deed)
A vesting declaration is a formal statement or provision within a deed or other legal document that transfers legal title to property from one party to another. Unlike a vesting order, a vesting declaration does not require court involvement; instead, it is usually made by the parties involved in the transaction.
When does a Deed take effect?
A deed takes effect from the date when it is DELIVERED & not when it is stated to have been made or executed.
ANUKU V STANDARD BANK
Is a deed valid without date?
YES! The absence of a date does not negate the validity of a Deed.
AWOJUGBAGBE LIGHT INDUSTRIES V CHINUKWE
Is having a seal mandatory for a Deed?
NO!
A mere intention to affix the seal suffices!
“Locus Sigilis” was held to be valid in FIRST NATIONAL SECURITIES LTD V JONES
*^SEC 98** of CAMA- Company seal is now optional.
Features of a Deed?
- It must be in writing
- It must be signed
- There must be an intention that the document is under seal
- Must be delivered, which is an intention to create legal relations
- Attestation
- It must be franked
- Endorsement for Governors consent- S21 & 22
- There must be intention to be bound, that is create legal relationship.
Parts of a Deed?
- Introductory-CDPR
- Operative-TCRLWAPH
- Miscellaneous-IAC
- Concluding-TSEAF
Remember Cardi’s WAP!🧏🏻♀️
Draft the Introductory Part of a Deed?
THIS DEED OF ASSIGNMENT IS MADE THIS _____DAY OF _____2024 BETWEEN EKENE MADU of No 16 Kayode Street, Lagos(ASSIGNOR) of one part and
BINTA EKENE of No 10 Taraba Road, Lagos(ASSIGNEE) of the other part.
What are the reasons why Deeds are not drafted with date?
- Rebuttable presumption as to date-SEC 157 EA
- The requirement of stamping the Deed within 30 DAYS(to avoid paying late stamp duties fees, the date is left out)
- The requirement of registering the Deed within 60 DAYS
- Uncertainty of time in getting the governor’s consent
What are Recitals?
Recitals are concise statement of fact which give the history or background of the vendor’s acquired right, sought to be conveyed or sold.
What are narrative and introductory recitals?
Narrative Recitals-states how the vendor acquired his legal right in the property he seems to convey.
Introductory Recitals-indicates the purpose of the document. They recite the ownership of the property and the intention to transfer it.
Functions of Recitals?
- It can be used in interpreting the operative part of a DEED where there is ambiguity
- It creates estoppels-SEC 169 EA,
- Presumption of Irregularity- Sec 162 EA
recitals contained in documents that are twenty years old or more are presumed sufficient evidence.
Draft the consideration & receipt clause of the Operative part of a DEED?
“In consideration of the sum of N500,000(Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) paid by the Assignee to the Assignor, the receipt of which the Assignor acknowledges”
What are the functions of inserting a Consideration Clause?
a. It is evidence that the conveyance is not a gift
b. It implies that a receipt will be issued to cover the amount received as consideration
c. It is used for the assessment of stamp duties ad valorem
What are the functions of Receipt clause?
- It is evidence of payment of consideration
- Makes irrelevant the issuance of a fresh receipt
- Sufficient discharge of the purchaser’s liability
- It raises a rebuttable presumption that the purchase price has been paid.
- Evidence of authority of solicitor of Assignor to receive payment
What are the implications of a vendor transferring in beneficial capacity?
a. Good title
b. Right to convey: that the vendor/assignor has the right to convey the unexpired residue of his interest in the property to the purchaser/assignee
c. Quiet enjoyment
d. Freedom from encumbrances
e. Further assurances
Draft a Parcel Clause in a Deed?
ALL THAT property located at No 16. Tanko Road Lagos, covered by Certificate of Occupancy numbered ___ and dated ___ and registered as ___ at the Lands Registry Lagos together with all the rights, easements and appurtenances attached to it
What is the function of the HABENDUM clause in a Deed?
It defines the quantum of interest or quantity of estate to be convened by the assignor/lessor to the assignee/lessee.
The extent of ownership granted.
Draft a sample Habendum Clause for Assignment?
“TO HOLD UNTO the purchaser for the term of the unexpired residue in the R of O free of all encumbrances subject to the provisions of the LUA 2004”
Sample Habendum clause for a Lease Agreement?
TO HOLD UNTO the lessee for the term of _____ years, commencing on the _______ day of ________, _________ and ending on the ________ day of __________,
What is the effect of the absence of an HABENDUM clause in a lease?
It might convert it into an ASSIGNMENT😱
This is because a lease must have a definite start date and an end date, it cannot exist in perpetuity.
UBA V TEJUMOLA
What is the purpose of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR PRODUCTION / UNDERTAKEN FOR SAFE CUSTODY clause?
Where a Assignor transfers a part of his land to a Assignee, the Assignor has the right to retain the original title documents.
However there must be an -ENDORSEMENT on the Original Title of the fact that a part of the land is sold to the Assignee and
-A clause of acknowledgement for production and undertaken for safe custody of the title documents
Draft the TESTIMONIUM clause?
“IN WITNESS of which parties have executed the deed in the manner below, the day and year first above written”
Particulars of Information needed to draft a deed?
- Particulars of the assignor (names, occupation address, status)
- Particulars of assignee (names, occupation address, status)
- Capacity of the Seller (as a beneficial owner, Attorney etc)
- Consideration paid in respect of the property
- Devolution of title of the property
- Survey plan, local authority and town planning authority of the area.
- Description/particulars of the property (fittings & fixtures)
- Particulars of witnesses (names, occupation address, status)
- Quantum being transferred
- Covenants
What is the Order of Perfection in a Deed?
Consent, Stamping and Registration
A major distinction distinction DEED and COS?
Deed is binding upon delivery(PARTIES INTENTION TO BE BOUND)
COS is binding upon exchange
Why should parties create a Deed?
A deed of assignment formally and legally transfers rights, property, or interests from one party to another.
1. Legal Transfer of Rights
2. Clarity and Certainty: The document clearly outlines the terms and conditions of the assignment, including what is being transferred, when, and under what conditions. This reduces the risk of disputes.
3. Protection for Both Parties: The deed protects both the assignor and the assignee by clearly defining their rights and obligations.
4.Enforceability: A properly executed deed of assignment is legally enforceable. Failure to fulfill their obligations under the deed, the other party can seek legal remedies.
5.Transfer of Legal Title
Recite how a Governor’s consent is given?
I CONSENT TO THIS AGREEMENT
……………………. ……………………. ……………
DATED THE 20th DAY OF MARCH 2024
GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE
What are Transactions in Land?
- Sale
- Mortgage
- Lease
- Tenancy
Cases in Power of Attorney?
• Abina v. Farhat (1938)
• Ude v. Nwara (1993)
• Ibrahim v. Obaje (2019)
• Chime v. Chime
How is a Power of Attorney issued?
- Taking instructions from the client & the solicitor prepares a Deed of POA
- It is a Deed Poll so it is executed by one party.
- The next step is that it must be attested. Only certain people can attest to a POA.
- The instrument of POA is then given to the Donee
What are the Features of POA?
- It is an instrument of delegation
- There is no transfer of interest in land or alienation-UDE V NWARA
- It is usually but not necessarily given for valuable consideration.
- It is a Deed poll-Can be executed by the Donor
- It is usually, but not necessarily made by deed or under seal.
What is the decision in BENJAMIN V KALIO on unregistered land documents?
The fact that a document is unregistered does not ipso factoaffect such document admissibility.
Essentials/Formalities of a POA?
- It must be in writing(because of attestation)
- It must be duly executed by the donor
- Sealing-A POA to execute a Deed must be in a Deed form.ABINA v FARHAT
4.Attestation(Not compulsory but it is advisable because it is a Deed Poll)
5.Stamping(POA attracts a fixed stamp duty) - Registration(depends on whether it is a registrable instrument in the jurisdiction, it’s registrable in Lagos & Abuja)
- Governor’s consent(not required because you are not alienating interest)