Two different restrictions, two different problems. Which one do you have and what do you need to do?
Form LL and Form A are both standard form Land Registry restrictions that appear on property title registers in England and Wales. They are frequently confused because they often appear together on the same title — but they serve completely different purposes and require completely different actions to satisfy.
A Form A restriction reads: "No disposition by a sole proprietor of the registered estate (except a trust corporation) under which capital money arises is to be registered unless authorised by an order of the court."
In plain English: a sole registered owner cannot sell or mortgage the property and keep all the proceeds — there must be at least two trustees (registered owners) for any transaction that generates capital money. Form A restrictions are automatically entered when a property is registered in the names of two or more owners to protect the interests of a beneficial owner not named on the title.
The most common scenario: a couple buys a property together, one later dies or transfers their share, and a Form A restriction remains on the title to protect the beneficial interests of anyone with an equitable claim. To satisfy a Form A restriction on a sale, a second trustee must be appointed to act in the transaction alongside the sole registered owner.
A Form LL restriction reads: "No disposition of the registered estate by the proprietor of the registered estate is to be registered without a certificate signed by a conveyancer that the conveyancer is satisfied that the person who executed the document submitted for registration as disponor is the same person as the proprietor."
In plain English: no sale, remortgage or transfer can be registered at Land Registry without an independent solicitor providing a signed certificate confirming they have verified the identity of the person executing the transaction. It is a pure identity verification and anti-fraud mechanism.
Form A restriction: Co-ownership protection. Prevents a sole registered owner from transacting alone. Satisfied by appointing a second trustee.
Form LL restriction: Anti-fraud identity verification. Prevents registration of any transaction without independent identity verification. Satisfied by obtaining a Certificate of Compliance from an independent solicitor.
Yes — and this is very common. A property may carry both a Form A restriction (from when it was co-owned) and a Form LL restriction (added as fraud protection). In this case, both restrictions must be satisfied before the transaction can be registered. They require separate actions — a second trustee for Form A, and an independent solicitor's certificate for Form LL.
If you have both restrictions on your title, call and explain the situation. We will advise on how to deal with the Form LL element and whether any further steps are needed for the Form A.
Check your official title register from HM Land Registry. Look in the Charges Register or Restrictions section. The restriction wording will specify the form — Form A uses the word "proprietor" and refers to "capital money," while Form LL references a "conveyancer" providing a "certificate." If you are unsure, call and read us the restriction wording — we will identify it and tell you exactly what you need.
You need a Certificate of Compliance from an independent, SRA-regulated solicitor who is not acting on the transaction. FormLL arranges this in 48 hours — specialist confirmed within 24 hours, 15-minute video call, certificate in your inbox same day or next working day.
Call now or request a callback. We respond within 2 hours. Certificate in 48 hours.
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