The Status of Registration Inquiries in the Legal Systems of Iran and England: From Identifying Property Violations to Guaranteeing Legal Ownership

Narges  Rahgozar; Abbas Pahlavanzadeh; Hamid  Bazrpach

Authors

Narges Rahgozar Department of Law, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1336-6919
Abbas Pahlavanzadeh Department of Law, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4664-5694
Hamid Bazrpach Department of Law, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0652-4169

Keywords:

Registration inquiries, immovable property transactions, guarantee of ownership, transactional transparency, Land Registration Act 2002 of England, official registration

Abstract

Registration inquiries constitute one of the fundamental pillars in the process of regulating and registering transactions involving immovable property, and they play a direct role in guaranteeing legal ownership and preventing property-related violations and crimes. In the Iranian legal system, following the enactment of the Law on Mandatory Official Registration of Immovable Property Transactions (2024), the significance of obtaining inquiries from competent authorities, including the State Organization for Registration of Deeds and Properties, municipalities, natural resources authorities, and tax administrations, has substantially increased. The present study aims to comparatively examine the status, types, and legal effects of registration inquiries in Iran and England and to analyze their role in achieving transactional transparency and safeguarding proprietary rights. The principal research question is as follows: What role do registration inquiries play in identifying property violations and guaranteeing ownership in the legal systems of Iran and England, and what differences exist in their structure and enforcement mechanisms? The findings indicate that in England, the land registration system administered by HM Land Registry, through comprehensive electronic systems, enables purchasers and legal offices to obtain immediate access to accurate information concerning the legal status, restrictions, and liabilities attached to property, thereby reducing property fraud and enhancing legal certainty. In contrast, in Iran, the fragmentation of systems and the lack of integration among registration databases impede the full realization of the objectives of the new law with respect to transparency and the prevention of property-related crimes. This research adopts a descriptive–analytical and comparative methodology and has been conducted through the examination of legal sources, registration regulations, and field studies concerning the English land registration system.

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