LPL4804 – Conveyancing: Comprehensive Multiple-Choice
Question Bank for Assignment 1 (Semester 1, 2026)
📚 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Area Questions
A The South African Deeds Registration System 1–15
Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937 – Core
B 16–30
Provisions
C Preparation and Execution of Deeds 31–45
Powers of Attorney and Preparation
D 46–60
Certificates
E Transfer of Ownership (Conventional Transfers) 61–75
Mortgage Bonds – Registration and
F 76–90
Cancellation
G Sectional Titles and Exclusive Use Areas 91–105
H Vesting Clauses and Party Descriptions 106–120
I Deceased Estates and Insolvency Transfers 121–135
J Duties, Ethics, and Liability of Conveyancers 136–150
SECTION A: THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEEDS REGISTRATION
SYSTEM
🟢 1. Which of the following is a negative characteristic of the South African deeds
registration system?
, A. The system provides guaranteed title to registered owners.
B. Deeds are examined by the registrar prior to registration in terms of section 3(1)(b) of the
Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937.
C. The system operates on the principle of nemo plus iuris.
D. Registration confers ownership retroactively to the date of lodgement.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B – Rationale: The examination of deeds by the registrar prior to
registration is considered a negative characteristic because it creates delay and administrative
burden, unlike positive systems where the state guarantees title. Section 3(1)(b) of the Deeds
Registries Act 47 of 1937 mandates this examination.
🟢 2. Under the South African deeds registration system, deeds are deemed to be registered
when:
A. The deed is lodged at the deeds registry.
B. The conveyancer signs the preparation certificate.
C. The registrar's signature is affixed thereto in terms of section 13 of the Deeds Registries
Act 47 of 1937.
D. The transfer duty is paid to SARS.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Section 13 of the Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937
provides that deeds are deemed to be registered when the registrar's signature is affixed
thereto. This reflects a negative characteristic of the system as registration is not instantaneous
upon lodgement.
🟢 3. Which statement correctly describes the abstract theory of transfer as applied in the
South African deeds registration system?
A. The underlying causa must be valid for transfer to be effective.
B. Transfer of ownership is dependent on the validity of the underlying agreement.
C. The registration of a deed effects transfer of ownership independently of the underlying
causa, provided the registrable formalities are complied with.
D. The registrar investigates the validity of the underlying contract before registration.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: C – Rationale: South Africa follows the abstract system of transfer,
meaning that ownership passes upon registration of the deed, regardless of defects in the
, underlying causa (such as a void sale agreement). The registrar does not investigate the
validity of the underlying contract.
🟢 4. The linking of deeds in the deeds registry is achieved by:
A. Cross-referencing the parties' identity numbers.
B. Numerical coding on the lodgement covers of the affected deeds.
C. The registrar's personal knowledge of the property.
D. The conveyancer's certification of the property description.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Linking of deeds is done by numerical coding on the
lodgement covers of the affected deeds. This system ensures that all related deeds (e.g., transfer
and bond) are processed together and that the registrar can trace the chain of title.
🟢 5. The purpose of the execution clause in a property deed of transfer is to:
A. Identify the parties to the transaction.
B. Record the consideration paid for the property.
C. Indicate the date and place of execution and the official before whom the deed was
executed.
D. Describe the property being transferred.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: C – Rationale: The execution clause in a deed of transfer indicates the
date and place of execution and identifies the official (usually the registrar or magistrate)
before whom the deed was executed. This clause is essential for the validity and authentication
of the deed.
🟢 6. Which of the following is NOT a function of the Deeds Registry in South Africa?
A. Registration of transfer of ownership in land.
B. Registration of mortgage bonds over immovable property.
C. Adjudication of disputes over property ownership.
D. Issuance of certificates of registered title.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: C – Rationale: The Deeds Registry is an administrative office
responsible for the registration of deeds and documents affecting land. It does not adjudicate
disputes; that function belongs to the courts. The registry's role is to examine and register
deeds that comply with legislative requirements.
, 🟢 7. The South African deeds registration system is primarily governed by:
A. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
B. The Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937.
C. The Attorneys Act 53 of 1979.
D. The Property Law Amendment Act.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B – Rationale: The Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937 is the primary
legislation governing the registration of deeds and the operation of deeds registries in South
Africa. It sets out the requirements for the preparation, execution, and registration of deeds.
🟢 8. A conveyancer practicing in Pietermaritzburg may validly lodge deeds for registration:
A. Only at the Pietermaritzburg deeds registry.
B. At any deeds registry in South Africa, provided the property is within that registry's
jurisdiction.
C. Only at the deeds registry where the conveyancer is admitted.
D. Only at the deeds registry in the province where the conveyancer's office is located.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Under the Deeds Registries Act and Attorneys Act, a
conveyancer may lodge deeds at any deeds registry in South Africa, subject to the property
being within that registry's jurisdiction. The conveyancer is not restricted to the registry in the
area where they practice.
🟢 9. In the South African context, a "conveyancer" is defined as:
A. Any person who prepares property transfer documents.
B. An attorney who has passed the conveyancing examination and is entitled to practise as a
conveyancer.
C. Any legal practitioner admitted to the High Court.
D. A notary public who specialises in property law.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B – Rationale: A conveyancer is an attorney who has passed the
conveyancing examination and is duly authorised to practise as a conveyancer. Only a
conveyancer may lodge deeds at a deeds registry. This is in terms of the Deeds Registries Act
and the Attorneys Act.
🟢 10. Which of the following statements regarding the registrar of deeds is CORRECT?
Question Bank for Assignment 1 (Semester 1, 2026)
📚 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Area Questions
A The South African Deeds Registration System 1–15
Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937 – Core
B 16–30
Provisions
C Preparation and Execution of Deeds 31–45
Powers of Attorney and Preparation
D 46–60
Certificates
E Transfer of Ownership (Conventional Transfers) 61–75
Mortgage Bonds – Registration and
F 76–90
Cancellation
G Sectional Titles and Exclusive Use Areas 91–105
H Vesting Clauses and Party Descriptions 106–120
I Deceased Estates and Insolvency Transfers 121–135
J Duties, Ethics, and Liability of Conveyancers 136–150
SECTION A: THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEEDS REGISTRATION
SYSTEM
🟢 1. Which of the following is a negative characteristic of the South African deeds
registration system?
, A. The system provides guaranteed title to registered owners.
B. Deeds are examined by the registrar prior to registration in terms of section 3(1)(b) of the
Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937.
C. The system operates on the principle of nemo plus iuris.
D. Registration confers ownership retroactively to the date of lodgement.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B – Rationale: The examination of deeds by the registrar prior to
registration is considered a negative characteristic because it creates delay and administrative
burden, unlike positive systems where the state guarantees title. Section 3(1)(b) of the Deeds
Registries Act 47 of 1937 mandates this examination.
🟢 2. Under the South African deeds registration system, deeds are deemed to be registered
when:
A. The deed is lodged at the deeds registry.
B. The conveyancer signs the preparation certificate.
C. The registrar's signature is affixed thereto in terms of section 13 of the Deeds Registries
Act 47 of 1937.
D. The transfer duty is paid to SARS.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: C – Rationale: Section 13 of the Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937
provides that deeds are deemed to be registered when the registrar's signature is affixed
thereto. This reflects a negative characteristic of the system as registration is not instantaneous
upon lodgement.
🟢 3. Which statement correctly describes the abstract theory of transfer as applied in the
South African deeds registration system?
A. The underlying causa must be valid for transfer to be effective.
B. Transfer of ownership is dependent on the validity of the underlying agreement.
C. The registration of a deed effects transfer of ownership independently of the underlying
causa, provided the registrable formalities are complied with.
D. The registrar investigates the validity of the underlying contract before registration.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: C – Rationale: South Africa follows the abstract system of transfer,
meaning that ownership passes upon registration of the deed, regardless of defects in the
, underlying causa (such as a void sale agreement). The registrar does not investigate the
validity of the underlying contract.
🟢 4. The linking of deeds in the deeds registry is achieved by:
A. Cross-referencing the parties' identity numbers.
B. Numerical coding on the lodgement covers of the affected deeds.
C. The registrar's personal knowledge of the property.
D. The conveyancer's certification of the property description.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Linking of deeds is done by numerical coding on the
lodgement covers of the affected deeds. This system ensures that all related deeds (e.g., transfer
and bond) are processed together and that the registrar can trace the chain of title.
🟢 5. The purpose of the execution clause in a property deed of transfer is to:
A. Identify the parties to the transaction.
B. Record the consideration paid for the property.
C. Indicate the date and place of execution and the official before whom the deed was
executed.
D. Describe the property being transferred.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: C – Rationale: The execution clause in a deed of transfer indicates the
date and place of execution and identifies the official (usually the registrar or magistrate)
before whom the deed was executed. This clause is essential for the validity and authentication
of the deed.
🟢 6. Which of the following is NOT a function of the Deeds Registry in South Africa?
A. Registration of transfer of ownership in land.
B. Registration of mortgage bonds over immovable property.
C. Adjudication of disputes over property ownership.
D. Issuance of certificates of registered title.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: C – Rationale: The Deeds Registry is an administrative office
responsible for the registration of deeds and documents affecting land. It does not adjudicate
disputes; that function belongs to the courts. The registry's role is to examine and register
deeds that comply with legislative requirements.
, 🟢 7. The South African deeds registration system is primarily governed by:
A. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
B. The Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937.
C. The Attorneys Act 53 of 1979.
D. The Property Law Amendment Act.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B – Rationale: The Deeds Registries Act 47 of 1937 is the primary
legislation governing the registration of deeds and the operation of deeds registries in South
Africa. It sets out the requirements for the preparation, execution, and registration of deeds.
🟢 8. A conveyancer practicing in Pietermaritzburg may validly lodge deeds for registration:
A. Only at the Pietermaritzburg deeds registry.
B. At any deeds registry in South Africa, provided the property is within that registry's
jurisdiction.
C. Only at the deeds registry where the conveyancer is admitted.
D. Only at the deeds registry in the province where the conveyancer's office is located.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B – Rationale: Under the Deeds Registries Act and Attorneys Act, a
conveyancer may lodge deeds at any deeds registry in South Africa, subject to the property
being within that registry's jurisdiction. The conveyancer is not restricted to the registry in the
area where they practice.
🟢 9. In the South African context, a "conveyancer" is defined as:
A. Any person who prepares property transfer documents.
B. An attorney who has passed the conveyancing examination and is entitled to practise as a
conveyancer.
C. Any legal practitioner admitted to the High Court.
D. A notary public who specialises in property law.
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B – Rationale: A conveyancer is an attorney who has passed the
conveyancing examination and is duly authorised to practise as a conveyancer. Only a
conveyancer may lodge deeds at a deeds registry. This is in terms of the Deeds Registries Act
and the Attorneys Act.
🟢 10. Which of the following statements regarding the registrar of deeds is CORRECT?
