THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TORRENS SYSTEM IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

One method to register land in Singapore is done by way of the Torrens System. Under this system, an independent title to land is created while the need for retrospective investigation of title is eliminated. Still, it is insufficient to know what the system is. It is equally (if not more) important to understand why and how the system developed. Prior to the British colonisation, land was dealt with under the Malay customs. Since the 19th century, the British had been attempting to introduce land reform through various methods: land title system, land legislation and land surveys. This research targets at tracing and examining the process of the cadastral reform in Singapore. The pre-colonial land system is first examined to find out why a cadastral reform was unnecessary at that time. Under the British, although some form of land title system developed, it was ineffective and the conflict between the Chinese and the British complicated matters. Technically, Singapore was also incapable of a successful cadastral reform. It was through tedious efforts that land legislation was studied and the Survey Department and Land Office improved. With the help of some experts, the Torrens System finally came into effect in 1959.