Implementation of Five-day Week in the Land Registry
This circular sets out the full arrangements for implementation of a five-day week in the Land Registry with effect from 1 July 2007.
Background
2. The Government is introducing a five-day week into the civil service.
3. As advised in Land Registry Circular Memorandum No. 2/07, issued on 19 March 2007, the Land Registration (Amendment) Regulation was gazetted on 9 March 2007 and tabled at the Legislative Council on 14 March 2007 for negative vetting. Legislative procedures were completed on 11 April 2007 and the regulation will come into operation on 1 July 2007. The effect of the regulation is that, from 1 July 2007 Saturday will not be a working day for the Land Registry while working hours and hours for lodgement of documents during weekdays will be extended.
New Service Hours
4. With effect from 1 July 2007, the overall office hours of the Land Registry from Monday to Friday will be extended from 8:40 am - 5:10 pm to 8:30 am - 5:45 pm. The opening hours of our public services and alternative means of service delivery after service hours are set out in the Annex.
Alternative Means of Service Delivery
5. The following alternative means of service delivery will be available on Saturdays to customers:
(a) For any parties who still wish to deliver documents on Saturday mornings, a drop box with an opening hole of 35 cm x 5 cm will be provided near the Information Counter on Deck Floor, High Block, Queensway Government Offices from 9 am to 12 noon. Deeds delivered through this will be treated as being lodged on the next working day. This arrangement will be reviewed in due course;
(b) For search of land records, customers can make use of the IRIS Online Services ( http://www.iris.gov.hk) that will continue to be available seven days a week to conduct online land searches or obtain copies of land documents via the internet; and
(c) For general enquiries/information, customers can make use of the 24-hour Customer Service Hotline at (852) 3105 0000. From 1 July 2007, the operators' service hours will be extended by transferring all calls received after office hours to 1823 Citizen's Easy Link. Live operator service will be provided from 9:00 am to 00:30 at midnight on weekdays and from 8:30 am to 00:30 at midnight on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. They can also send enquiries to the Land Registry through email ( csa@landreg.gov.hk) or by fax (852) 2596 0281. Besides, customers can obtain general information and download specified forms or information pamphlets of the Land Registry via the Land Registry homepage ( http://www.landreg.gov.hk).
Dedicated Webpage
6. Customers can click the five-day week icon displayed on the Land Registry homepage ( http://www.landreg.gov.hk) for details of the new opening hours of our public services and alternative means of service delivery after service hours.
Important Note for Solicitors and Solicitors Clerks
7. Your attention is drawn to Section 5 of the Land Registration Ordinance, Cap.128, concerning the priority of documents submitted for registration. The priority of a document will take from the date of execution provided that it is submitted for registration within one month of the date of execution. No extension of time is given. From 1 July 2007, if the last day of the one month period falls on a Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday then the document must be delivered before 1:30 pm on the previous working day if priority is to take from the date of execution.
Enquiries
8. For enquiries, please contact our Customer Service Manager, Ms Allan CHAN (now changed to Miss Cherie CHOW), at (852) 3105 0000 or email to us at csa@landreg.gov.hk.
(Kim Salkeld)
Land Registrar