English property deals come a step closer

Tuesday 25th April 2006, 12:00AM BST.

PROPERTY conveyancing in Jersey should soon be conducted in English rather than in French.

From 1 June lawyers will be expected to draft conveyancing documents in English, breaking with a tradition that was first established in 1602, though time will be allowed for a transition to the new system.

In the 17th century, French was the common language of the Island and was therefore the natural choice for the registration of land transactions, but for the past 100 years or more a majority of those buying and selling property here have spoken English as their first language.

Many people have therefore had to rely on the legal profession to translate contracts and other documents relating to property.

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