《COVEYANCING IN KONG》

Chapter1 Introduction1

Historical background1

The legal background4

The economic background8

The roleof the Crown10

Chapter2 The conveyancing process17

Preliminary concepts17

Comparisons with English conveyancing21

The main stages23

Is the contract stage necessary in Hong Kong?25

Some definitions26

Chapter3 Enquiries before contract29

Preliminaries29

Caveat emptor31

Taking instructions39

Searching at the Land Office44

Chapter4 Planning and building considerations49

Control of development49

Chapter5 Capacity70

Infants70

Persons of unsound mind71

Bankrupts72

Charities74

Companies74

Chapter6 Formation of contract75

Exchange75

Construction79

Provisional agreements84

Conditional agreements86

Options to purchase and rights of pre-emption89

Formalities94

Part performance107

Chapter7 Types and conditions of contract114

Open contract114

Formal contract115

Conditions under an open contract115

Conditions under a formal contract119

Special conditions135

Chapter8 Position after exchange of contracts141

The vendor as trustee142

Insurance145

Death before completion146

Bankruptcy before completion147

Winding up of a company149

Frustration150

Chapter9 Remedies of the parties on breach of contract153

Effect of breach153

Specific performance154

Damages164

Rescission175

Forfeiture of deposit184

Declaration on the contract185

Chapter10 The post contract stage186

Good title186

Title in vendor187

Defective title189

Limitation190

Good title from a good root191

Proof of execution191

Japanese Occupation period192

Lost deeds194

Chapter11 Land registration196

Registration of title196

Registration of charges197

Registration of deeds198

The Land Registration Ordinance200

Some aspects of registration212

The New Territories and land registration223

Chapter12 Purchase deeds and documents232

Deeds generally232

Purchase deeds243

Powers of attorney255

Chapter13 Deeds of mutual covenant263

Problems of multi-storey buildings263

Assignment procedure267

Contents of deed of mutual convenant270

Multi-Storey Buildings (Owners' Incorporation) Ordinance277

The Colonial Treasurer Incorporated282

Chapter14 Mortgages284

General principles284

Mortgages by assignment290

Applicable legislation295

Drafting a mortgage296

Chapter15 Completion and post completion307

Covenants for title307

Completion312

Post completion remedies315

Disclaimer323

Costs324

Appendix 1. Crown lease329

Appendix 2. Extract from outline zoning plan334

Appendix 3. Memorial of a document336

Appendix 4. Land Register cards338

Appendix 5. Agreement for Sale and Purchase-Non Consent Scheme346

Appendix 6. Assignment364

Appendix 7. Deed of mutual covenant368

Appendix 8. Mortgage385

Index393