Dr. Stephen Pallavicini, Lead Property Lawyer, Woolworths Group Limited
Lisa Gaddie, Partner, Lander & Rogers (Vic)
Luckbir Singh, Partner, MacDonnells Law (Qld)
Gary Thomas, Partner, Tottle Partners (WA)
Philip Page, Partner, Mellor Olsson (SA)
Tim Tierney, Principal, Tierney Law (Tas)
Currently updated by Lyn Bennett, Consultant, Minter Ellison (NT)
Originally authored by Leon Loganathan, Partner, Ward Keller (NT)
Stephanie Lynch, Partner, Meyer Vandenberg Lawyers (ACT)
Post completion duties for practitioners
Once a conveyance has been settled, and the vendor has received the purchase money and the purchaser has received the title documents, there is still work to be done by the legal practitioners. Practitioners should issue their accounts, and summarise the transaction and what still has to be done. Practitioners who act for purchasers need to register title documents or ensure that mortgagees do (except in the Northern Territory -- see below). Additionally, in Victoria and Tasmania, practitioners will need to stamp the transfer, or ensure that mortgagees do, which will occur after settlement and before registration. If errors are made in adjustments, then the parties need to be aware that the standard provisions allow for readjustment of outgoings. See Post completion duties for practitioners.
In the Northern Territory, in the vast majority of transactions, the registration of title documents occurs at settlement. Obviously, if there are reasons why this has not been done, registration needs to occur as soon as possible after settlement (including the registration of any leases).