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Land Registry News

LR News No. 24

A Message from the Land Registrar

Results are now in from the comprehensive customer service survey carried out a year after the launch of the central registration service and IRIS. Compared with results from a similar survey in 2002 there have been notable improvements. Satisfaction with counter service procedures has improved from 89% in 2002 to over 98% today. Satisfaction with the performance of counter staff has increased from 87% in 2002 to 94% for deeds lodgment and 98% for search service staff today. The rating for satisfaction with the customer service environment has gone up from 74% to 96%. These are commendable achievements and set a high benchmark to sustain in future years.

One very important indicator did not improve though. Satisfaction with our new electronic service - IRIS - was down to 66% compared with 70% satisfaction with the old service. This was despite IRIS having proved attractive enough to bring about a near 25% increase in the number of subscribers and a steady increase in the proportion of business conducted electronically. The main reason given for dissatisfaction concerned the availability and speed of response of the system. Steps to address this problem are being taken. We will check regularly to see that our actions are leading to greater satisfaction for system users.

Behind the scenes, the overall efficiency of the registration process has been increasing steadily. I am confident that we will be able to set higher service standards in future and give my thanks to all in the department who have contributed to this.

Preparation for the introduction of title registration has been making substantial progress. Following the post enactment review of the Land Titles Ordinance, instructions for further legislation and the various sets of regulations have been prepared and we now have a first working draft of the further legislation. Consultation will start on that shortly, our aim being to complete the processing of all remaining legislation within the coming session of the Legislative Council.

KA Salkeld's signature

K A SALKELD, J.P.
The Land Registrar & General Manager
The Land Registry Trading Fund, Hong Kong



Update: IRIS I & II IRIS Phase I

The Integrated Registration Information System (IRIS) has entered into its second year of operation. For the coming year, the Land Registry is mapping out a work plan to further improve the operations and functions of IRIS. One of the major enhancements is the strengthening of resilience of the system so that the IRIS services will continue to be provided to our customers in a smooth and reliable manner. In this connection, we are working with the IRIS contractor to identify technical measures to further raise the level of resilience and reliability of IRIS. Implementation of the identified technical measures will be carried out with priority.



IRIS Phase II

The Land Registry has scheduled to introduce an amendment bill and a set of regulations under the Land Titles Ordinance to the Legislative Council in late 2006.

To prepare for the commencement of the operation of land title registration as soon as practicable after passage of the amendment bill and regulations, we have started preparatory work for the implementation of IRIS Phase II to provide the necessary IT support.



Update: Land Titles Ordinance

The Legal Services Branch and the Title Registration Development Branch have continued to work in accordance with their respective tight schedules.

The review of the Land Titles Ordinance (LTO)(pdf format) has been completed after many hours of discussions and debates. Draft Drafting Instructions (DDIs) have been completed for the LTO amendment bill and the first working draft of the amendment bill has been received from the Law Draftsman for consideration by both branches.

In order to meet the very tight schedule, various committees and sub-committees have been holding regular meetings. DDIs for the Land Titles Regulations have been completed and the 2nd working draft has been prepared by the Law Draftsman for Land Registry to consider. DDIs for the other regulations are due to be completed soon.

The target date for submission of the amendment bill to the Legislative Council is October 2006.



2005/06 Annual Staff Development Theme Training - Achieving Work-life Balance, Creating a Winning Workplace

The Land Registry chose “Achieving Work-life Balance, Creating a Winning Workplace" as the Staff Development Theme Training for 2005/06, recognising the importance of maintaining work-life balance to the overall organization effectiveness. The training aimed at reminding staff of the importance of work-life balance in the midst of the changes that have occurred and will continue to be part of the Land Registry challenges in the coming years.

Two consultants were commissioned to organise customized training on providing knowledge and skills for Work-Life Balance for Officers and Other Grades staff respectively. A total of 401 members of staff participated in the one-day workshop held in October-November 2005 at the Jockey Club Racecourse at Happy Valley.

The interactive training with integration of key principles, games and activities helped enhancing staff members’ understanding on the importance of work-life balance. Each workshop started by either the Land Registrar or the Registry Manager giving an opening message to participants that everyone could joyfully achieve professional life through work-life balance.

The Land Registrar delivering the opening remark at the workshop
Traniees participating in


Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2005

Our commitment in delivering high quality and value services has once again been recognised. The Land Registry won the First Runner-up Award of the Service Enhancement Award (Small Department) in the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2005 organised by the Civil Service Bureau.

The objectives of the award scheme were to recognise the efforts and achievements of departments in the pursuit of excellence and promoting a customer-oriented service culture. The award scheme had attracted over 130 entries from 45 departments for the Service Enhancement Award, Partnership Award and Best Public Image Award.

The participating departments went through various stages of assessment. Departments were assessed on the enhancement efforts leading to better public services, improved customer satisfaction, boosting the department's image, public relations and measures implemented in support of occupational safety and environmental protection. The finalists were judged by an adjudication panel comprising members from the Legislative Council, District Council, professional organizations, staff sides of the Central Consultative Councils and Civil Service Bureau. The Award Presentation Ceremony was held on 2 December 2005 at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. Highlights of the ceremony were broadcast on TVB Jade in the following evening.


Mr. WONG Wing-ping, Joseph, GBS, JP, the former Secretary for the Civil Service with Land Registrar and his staff at the Prize Presentation Night


Reducing Stopped Deeds

With try to help reduce stopped deeds, the Land Registry has reviewed its procedures for withholding instruments to improve the quality of service and to reduce the number of instruments that have to be withheld. A Land Registry Circular Memorandum (LRCM) No.5/05 was issued on 1 December 2005. This circular provides information on Land Registry practice on withholding instruments from registration and revises the list of documents permitted to be presented even if not in compliance with Regulation 9(1) of the Land Registration Regulations (Cap.128 subleg.). To help those responsible for preparing instruments to avoid or correct simple and avoidable errors before lodgment, we have prepared a list of common reasons for withholding instruments, incorporating guidelines on correct procedures. A copy of the list had been posted on the Land Registry website at http://www.landreg.gov.hk/.



Promotion of IRIS Online Services


The Land Registry has organised or participated in the following promotional activities to encourage the use of the IRIS Online Services in the community:


  • The IRIS Online Services was promoted as one of the e-government services presented in a leaflet prepared by Government. The leaflet was distributed to over 2 million households via Government's Demand Notes of Rates and Government Rent for the 4th quarter of 2005.

  • We took part in the World SME Expo 2005 held in November 2005 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to showcase the IRIS Online Services to visitors to the event.

  • Advertisement for the IRIS Online Services was placed in local Chinese printed media between October 2005 and February 2006.

Showcase of IRIS Online Services at the World SME Expo 2005


The Land Registry Trading Fund Annual Report 2004/05


Annual Report 2004/05

The Land Registry Trading Fund Annual Report 2004/05 was released in October 2005. The Report gave a detailed account of the completion of the Strategic Change Plan to deliver a central land registration service for the whole territory and a seamless and electronic property information service in the year. In the Report, the Registry's staff also shared their feeling and sense of satisfaction for the rollout of the change plan. The Report also introduced the preparatory work undertaken by the Land Registry to implement the title registration system in Hong Kong. An audited financial statement with full account of the financial position of the Land Registry Trading Fund was also provided.

The full report can be viewed or downloaded through our website at www.landreg.gov.hk. We welcome your comments and feedback. You can complete our online survey questionnaire or email us at csa@landreg.gov.hk.


Information Pamphlet on "An Explanatory Note on Registration of Document"

To give members of the public a general understanding on the reasons and procedures of registering land documents at the Land Registry under the new operation of the Integrated Registration Information System, a revised pamphlet "An Explanatory Note on Registration of Document" was published

You can obtain the above information pamphlet at any office of the Registry or download the same from our website at www.landreg.gov.hk.

An Explanatory Note on Registration of Document


One-stop Service at the Customer Centre


New workplace for the Urban Owners Incorporation Unit at the Customer Centre

With the relocation of Urban Owners Incorporation Unit to 19/F Queensway Government Offices on 3 January 2006, the Land Registry completed its office refurbishment plan to provide one-stop customer service at the Customer Centre. All customer services including lodgment of documents, search of land records, owners’ corporation services for Hong Kong, Kowloon and Island districts and enquiries services are now provided on 19/F Queensway Government Offices. The Customer Service Manager is also accommodated there to receive customers answer their questions and listen to their comments..



Get Prepared for Avian Influenza

In view of the recent reports of Avian Influenza cases in some countries and the detection of H5N1 virus on dead birds found in Hong Kong, we have stepped up precautionary measures to ensure environmental hygiene and cleanliness of the offices. We have formulated a preparedness plan for the possible outbreak of the disease in Hong Kong. In the event that the Customer Centre in the Queensway Government Offices or any of the NT Search Offices has to be closed due to events connected with Avian Influenza, we will put in place contingency arrangements to maintain the functioning of our registration and search services to as full an extent as possible. We will announce the activation of any such arrangements through our websites (http://www.landreg.gov.hk/ and http://www.iris.gov.hk) and through the media.



COMMENTS

Land Registry News would like to hear from you. If there are any specific subjects you would like to read about or if you have any comments on what you have read so far, please write to us at the freepost address (local mail only) given below:

The Land Registry
Freepost No. 10
Hong Kong


For enquiries, please contact:

Mr. Kenneth POON
TEL: (852) 3105 0000
Customer Service Manager
FAX: (852) 2523 0065
e-mail: csa@landreg.gov.hk