Registers rejection fees about to kick in again

A failed application to Registers of Scotland will cost the solicitor £30 from Monday of next week (9 February), solicitors are being reminded.

The Law Society of Scotland has emailed all conveyancing solicitors to alert them to the pending charge, which follows the end of the grace period in which rejection fees were not charged.

The Society has had discussions with Registers of Scotland to try and extend the grace period post the land registration changes brought in in December 2014, but has been advised that this is not possible. The fee has been set by Scottish Ministers and approved by the Scottish Parliament, and will not be reviewed.

Updated guidance has been published on www.ros.gov.uk, and some changes have been made regarding the information required in connection with non-natural persons, which should help reduce the most common reason for rejection.

Also from Monday 9 February, Registers of Scotland will operate a dedicated helpline, which solicitors are encouraged to contact on 0800 0289 311 for advice on the completion of applications and general guidance on how to avoid rejections. Support for preparing multiple applications for registration will continue to be available through the customer service centres.

The Society will be meeting regularly with the Registers of Scotland rejection team and working closely to try and reduce rejection rates by gaining a better understanding of the type and volume of issues being raised. Rejection rates are currently at a similar level to pre-2011, before the rejection fee was introduced.

The Society's Professional Practice team can also advise on any queries about the registration process, and will look into any concerns around the rejection of applications or the charging of fees. It can be contacted for a confidential discussion on 0131 226 8896.