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Real Property LawLand Titles ActONEASY

A person claims to be the true owner of land in Ontario's Land Titles system, but someone else is shown as the registered owner. What is the general position under the Land Titles Act?

Correct Answer

D) The register generally governs, subject to fraud and court rectification

Under the Land Titles Act, a registered instrument is deemed embodied in the register and effective according to its terms (s. 78(4)), so the register generally governs. It is not absolute: a fraudulent instrument registered on or after October 19, 2006 does not get that effect (s. 78(4.1)), a court may order the register rectified (ss. 159 and 160), and some interests, such as subsisting easements, bind registered land without appearing on the register (s. 44(1)).

Answer Options
A
The register has no legal effect until a court confirms it
B
The actual owner always prevails, whatever the register shows
C
The register is absolutely conclusive and can never be corrected
D
The register generally governs, subject to fraud and court rectification

Why This Is the Correct Answer

This answer is correct because it captures both halves of the Act: registration generally gives effect to the register (s. 78(4)), but fraud (s. 78(4.1)) and court rectification (ss. 159 and 160) are recognized exceptions, alongside the overriding interests in s. 44(1).

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

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Key Terms

Land Titlesparcel registerrectificationfraudulent instrumentoverriding interests
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