Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

4-2022

Abstract

This article tells the story of how the Torrens system of land titles registration came to be adopted in Singapore. From conception to commencement, the entire process took over 75 years, far longer than any other law reform the country has experienced. Particular attention is paid to why the Australian model was preferred despite the significant influence of English law in colonial Singapore. Although as with anything, much of what happened could be attributed to chance, a great deal can be learned from this story, which details the socio-economic and political forces that have shaped the law into what it is, as well as the considerations that have influenced the choices regarding legal transplant.

Keywords

Torrens system, land titles registration, Singapore, law reform, Australian model, English law, colonial Singapore, socio-economic forces, political forces, legal transplant

Discipline

Asian Studies | Legal History | Property Law and Real Estate

Research Areas

Asian and Comparative Legal Systems

Publication

American Journal of Legal History

Volume

62

Issue

1

First Page

66

Last Page

87

ISSN

0002-9319

Identifier

10.1093/ajlh/njac004

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1093/ajlh/njac004

Download

Share

COinS