Clause 163

The Registrar may issue a final official search to any person who wishes to close the land-register, and who satisfies the Registrar (whether by production of an acknowledgment from the proprietor or otherwise) that he is a purchaser of the land in respect of which the search is required.

The Registrar shall make an entry in the land-register of the day and hour of posting, facsimile transmission or manual delivery of a final official search, whereupon no instrument affecting the land to which the search relates (other than an instrument in favour of the applicant) which is lodged for registration within the period of 7 days next ensuing upon the entry aforesaid shall be registered or notified until the expiration of that period, or until the registration of an instrument in favour of the applicant, whichever is the earlier.

Upon the expiration of that period of 7 days, or upon registration of the instrument in favour of the applicant (whichever is the earlier), instruments affecting the land to which the final official search relates shall be registered or notified in the manner directed by section 37.

A person who has obtained a final official search is not entitled to obtain any further final official search relating to the same land until the expiration of 8 days from the time of posting, facsimile transmission or delivery of the final official search.