It is interesting to see how technology is impacting on the concept of title.

The American system of recording documents was revolutionary at the time it was implemented. As a result certified copies are the equivalent of originals. I was working on a case several years ago with a firm located in Bristol, England.The firm had been in business for approximately 200 years. I had never stopped to think that any business would have such longevity.

 At that time they were in the process of implementing the American recording system in England. About half the country had implemented the American system, and the remaining half was still on the old British system.

Under the old system original deeds, mortgages and documents impacting title were bound into a sheaf. The title holder would be the holder of the sheaf for as long as he held title to the property. God help him if his deed were not bound into the sheaf or if there was a break in the chain of original deeds contained in the sheaf. It was a very expensive legal procedure to rectify as it was explained to me.

About a year ago I was doing a closing for a British couple in Southbury, Connecticut. The husband indicated that his brother had purchased a property in England to which title dated back to the 14th century. His brother was handed the usual sheaf of deeds at the time he closed on the property.