Systematic Land Registration

The National Land Agency has implemented Systematic Land Registration in order to increase the levels of land registration in Jamaica. The mandate of the Adjudication Services Division of the Agency is to assist landowners who have been in open, undisturbed and undisputed possession of their land for twelve years or more, to claim ownership of such land via the Systematic Land Registration Process.

What is Systematic Land Registration?

Systematic Land Registration is the methodical and orderly registration of parcels of land in a designated area known as the Systematic Adjudication Area.

Did you know that approximately 40% of land in Jamaica remains unregistered? Due to this, the National Land Agency has implemented a Systematic Land Registration programme to increase the number of registered land titles. Discover all the details of this programme and learn how you can benefit from it!

What are the Benefits?

The Government will advance the entire cost for the legal and surveying fees. Persons will, however, be required to repay the costs after the Certificate of Title is issued. A Registrar’s caveat will be lodged against the Certificate of Title to protect the Government’s interest in the aforementioned fees.

Service “brought to land owners’ doorsteps”.

The registration of a substantial amount of land in a short period.

The Government will advance the entire cost for the legal and surveying fees. Persons will, however, be required to repay the costs after the Certificate of Title is issued. A Registrar's caveat will be lodged against the Certificate of Title to protect the Government's interest in the aforementioned fees.
Service "brought to land owners' doorsteps".
The registration of a substantial amount of land in a short period.

Who can Apply?

Any person who has acquired land by:

What is Required?

The Systematic Land Registration Proces

1

House to house visits by the legal team from the Adjudication Services Division (ASD) in order to interview landowners calming an interest in land.

2

Interviewing neighbours and community members.

3

Surveying of land parcels by Surveyors from Geoland Title Limited in order to prepare a map of all parcels in the Systematic Adjudication Areas (Cadastral Map).

4

Processing of Applications by the ASD Team.

5

Display of an Adjudication Record (a document listing the names of all the persons claiming an interest in parcels of land within the Systematic Adjudication Areas).

6

Issuance of Adjudication Certificates (proof of ownership from Adjudication process).

7

Lodgement at the Titles Office.

8

A Certificate of Title will be issued in the name of the landowner.

What are the benefits of a Certificate of Title?

Facilitates ease of transferring land to family members. Registration is notice to the world of your ownership of land.
Registered land provides the potential for community tourism and short-term rentals.
It increases the potential for loans from financial institutions or individuals.
It is simple and easy to understand.
Disputes regarding ownership rights are more easily resolved.
It guards against fraudulent dealings with land.

Objections to the Adjudication Record

The Objector must complete an Objection to the Adjudication Record and must submit same to the Senior Director, Adjudication Services within thirty (30) days of the display of the Adjudication Record.
The Senior Director will make a determination on the Objection(s) or refer the Objection(s) to an Adjudication Committee for determination.
The Adjudication Committee will make a determination as to ownership and issue an Adjudication Certificate accordingly.
Lodgement of the Adjudication Certificate at the Titles Office.
Issuance of Certificate of Title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Systematic Land Registration Programme

How will I know if my community has been declared as a Systematic Adjudication Area?

Once an area has been declared a Systematic Adjudication Area, it will be published in the Gleaner and Observer newspapers, in newspapers circulating across the diaspora, in the Gazette and posted on the National Land Agency’s (NLA) website: www.nla.gov.jm.

Persons can also email their queries to asknla@nla.gov.jm, speak to a Customer Service Officer via Web Chat on the aforementioned website or call 876-750-LAND (5263), 876-946-LAND (5263) or 876-922-8535-7.

How much will it cost to obtain a Certificate of Title via the Systematic Land Registration process?

The cost is dependent on the unimproved value of the land on the Property Tax Roll (See ‘The Registration of Titles Cadastral Mapping and Tenure Clarification (Special Provisions) (Fees) (Amendment) Order, 2019’.) Applications in the Systematic Adjudication Areas will be issued an invoice with a breakdown of the fees payable.

Will I have to pay all of the money at once?

No, the Government will advance the entire cost for the legal and survey fees. Persons will however, be required to repay the costs after the Ceriticate of Title is issued. A Registrar’s Caveat will be lodged against the Certificate of Title to protect the Government’s interest in the aforementioned fees.

Can my child be included in the Systematic Adjudication Application?

Yes, a child can be included in the Application; however, the date of birth of the child will be required. This will facilitate the Registrar lodging a Caveat to protect the child’s interest in the land.

How long will it take to get a Certificate of Title via the Systematic Land Registration process?

The process may take up to six (6) months from the time the area is declared.

Can a Certificate of Title be issued for a small piece of land?

Yes, there is no limit to the size of the parcel.

Is there a limit to the number of persons who can be registered on the Certificate of Title?

No, there is no limit.

If I have no documentary proof of ownership, can I still apply for a Certificate of Title via the Systematic Land Registration process?

Yes, if the landowner does not have documentary proof of ownership then twelve (12) years open, undisturbed and undisputed possession of the land will suffice. Two (2) neighbours or community members will also have to confirm that the landowner has been in possession for the stipulated period.

Can my relative who resides overseas participate in the process?

Yes, anyone who owns in a Systematic Adjudication Area can participate in the process.

How will I know if my land is in a Systematic Adjudication Area?

Persons will be informed via notices in newspapers locally across the diaspora. Declared Systematic Adjudication Areas may also be viewed on our website at www.nla.gov.jm or you can contact us at 876-750-5263 or 876-946-5263, or by WhatsApp at 876-418-5089 or via email asknla@nla.gov.jm.

If I already have a file open with Land Administration and Management (LAMD) or with Geoland Title Limited or an Attoryney-at-Law and the area is in a Systematic Adjudication Area, what will happen?

The landowner may continue his or her Application with LAMD, Geoland Title Limited or an Attorney-at-Law.

What will happen if I already have a survey diagram?

The survey diagram will be accepted as a supporting document to your application and be placed on your file.

How will I know when the decision has been made as to who is to get the Title?

An Adjudication Record will be prepared with the names and particulars of all persons claiming and interest in the land Cadastral Map of the Systematic Adjudication Area. These records will be displaced in the Systematic Adjudication Area for thirty (30) days for persons to review. The Adjudication Record will also be posted on our website at www.nla.gov.jm.

Who will be doing my survey?

The survey is the responsibility of the NLA in partnership with Geoland Title Limited, who will assign a Commissioned Land Surveyor for each Systematic Adjudication Area.

How will I be notified of the survey?

When an area is to be surveyed, notices will be sent to landowners approximately then (10) days before the proposed day of surveying. In addition, the NLA will engage town criers to make public announcements in the area.

How will the surveyor know the boundaries to survey for my land?

The land will be surveyed based on the instructions of the landowner as to where their boundaries are located and legal considerations related to land ownership.

Will I receive an individual survey diagram for my land?

No. A Cadastral map will be prepared and a diagram of the land will be attached to each title.

How will I comment on my agreement/disagreement with the survey?

The Cadastral map will be posted by NLA in each community for the landowners to comment, approve or make an objection.

What happens after the surveyor has completed the surveying of my property?

The officers of the NLA will visit with each landowner to continue land tilting work.

If I already have a Title for my land in my name and do not want to make any changes, will it still be surveyed?

Yes. No changed will be made to your file.

Adjudication Committee

What is an Adjudication Committee?

An Adjudication Committee is comprised of persons with specialized skills and knowledge who deliberate on the rights and interest of any person in relation to land within an area declared under The Registration of Titles, Cadastral Mapping and Tenure Clarification (Special Provisions) Act, 2005 (hereinafter referred to as the SPA). Members of the Committee are appointed by the Minister responsible for land.

What is the composition of an Adjudication Committee?

By virtue of Section 2 of The Registration of Titles, Cadastral Mapping and Tenure Clarification (Special Provisions) (Adjudication Committees) Regulations, an Adjudication Committee shall consist of not less than four and not more than five members as follows:

an Attorney-at-Law with at least ten years of experience in the practice of civil law;
a Commissioned Land Surveyor of at least ten years of experience in land surveying;
a nominee of the Minister responsible for land;
a Justice of the Peace residing in the community in which the land is situate or in a neighbouring community; and
such other person from the community in which the land is situate or in a neighbouring community.

What is the tenure of a Committee?

By virtue of Section 4(1) of the aforementioned Regulations, the appointment of every Committee is to be evidenced in writing and must state the period of appointment of each member and cannot exceed three years. By virtue of Section 4(2) of the aforementioned Regulations, every member of the Committee is eligible for reappointment, however, a member cannot be appointed for more than two consecutive terms.

Is there an Adjudication Committee in every Parish?

Adjudication Committees are currently established in every parish and the majority of Adjudication Committees are formed along established Electoral Office of Jamaica boundary lines. There are no legal impediments preventing any Committee from hearing a matter that falls outside of its boundary jurisdiction.

What is the role of an Adjudication Committee?

The role of the Adjudication Committee is to adjudicate land tenure issues arising from Ad Hoc registration and the Systematic Land Registration process and issue an Adjudication Certificate as conclusive proof of ownership where ownership is determined.

What matters are referred to an Adjudication Committee under Ad Hoc registration?

The matters referred under Ad Hoc Registration are the Land Administration and Management Division (LAMD) Applications or Applications certified by the LAMD in which Applicants are unable to satisfy the strict requirements of the Registration of Titles Act (RTA), particularly as regards the requirement for the submission of deeds, documents or other evidence that the Applicant relies in support of his claim to ownership of the land.

What matters are referred to an Adjudication Committee under Systematic Land Registration?

The matters referred under Systematic Land Registration are objections to the Adjudication Record arising from the adjudication of rights and interests in declared Systematic Adjudication Areas.

What options are available to a person dissatisfied with the decision of an Adjudication Committee?

Any person dissatisfied with the decision of the Adjudication Committee may proceed to Court.

What are the established Adjudication Committees?

Click here to access the full list of established Adjudication Committees.

Adjudication Committee Hearings

All Applicants, supporting declarants or other persons with interest in specified land under the operation of The Registration of Titles Cadastral Mapping and Tenure Clarification (Special Provisions) Act, 2005, who have been contacted by the Adjudication Services Division of the National Land Agency are required to appear at the mentioned place and time to give an explanation and produce any document concerning such land.

Effective February 21, 2022, all Adjudication Committee Hearings have been cancelled until further notice.