From 17 November 2025, the Land Titles Office has introduced updated forms in which practitioners will sign documents as authorised by their client.

The updated Transfer form will see both the Transferor & Transferee practitioners sign the same Transfer. The authority for each practitioner to sign on behalf of their client will come from the Client Authorisation Form. As such, practitioners should not sign a Transfer unless they have certified the Client Authorisation Form.

There may be some uncertainty as to the order of signing as the new Transfer form is introduced.

The Property & Commercial Law Committee of the Law Society of Tasmania has considered this subject and expects that:

  • The Transferee practitioner will:
    • draft the Transfer as they currently do;
    • sign the Transfer first;
    • deliver or post the Transfer to the Transferor practitioner;
  • The Transferor practitioner will then:
    • Sign the Transfer
    • Provide the fully signed Transfer at settlement.

 

It is suggested that signed copies of the Transfer are provided to your client so they are aware of what documents you have signed under the Client Authorisation Form.

Mortgage Form:  The Committee is aware that the Mortgage form can only be signed by the Certifier on behalf of the Mortgagee but includes the expectation that the Mortgagor has signed the Mortgage. Enquiries have been made with the LTO and the Committee will provide guidance on this shortly.

Property & Commercial Law Committee
19 November 2025