While Jamaican conveyancing follows a clear legal framework, real-world obstacles can still emerge and threaten to derail a deal. Knowing these hurdles in advance is the first step to removing them. At Conveyance Lawyers ja, our seasoned lawyers spot problems early, build practical work-arounds, and keep your transaction moving.
Title Defects
One of the largest risk areas in Jamaican conveyancing centres on the property’s Certificate of Title. Any inaccuracy or missing notation on this state-guaranteed record can halt financing, delay registration, and trigger expensive litigation. Because every later document relies on the certificate’s precision, the legal team must scrutinise it at the very outset, cross-checking each entry against current survey data and National Land Agency records to confirm nothing has been overlooked.
Unregistered encumbrances
Even under the Torrens system, hidden or unregistered burdens occasionally slip through. These may take the form of informal rights of way, undisclosed family agreements, long-running adverse possession claims, or historic charges never lodged at the National Land Agency (NLA). If discovered at the eleventh hour, they can stall closing and trigger disputes. Our team runs deep title searches, orders site inspections, and gathers statutory declarations where needed so that any shadow claim is exposed and dealt with before you sign.
Boundary disputes
Sometimes the fence you see on the ground does not match the line shown on the survey plan or the Certificate of Title. Encroachments, out-of-date surveys, or simple mapping errors can spark neighbour disagreements and block registration. Solving the issue may require commissioning a fresh survey, negotiating a boundary agreement, or, in rare cases, pursuing litigation. We coordinate surveyors, review field notes, and push for practical settlements that let ownership pass without doubt.
Documentation Delays
Administrative tasks are vital but can test everyone’s patience.
Backlogs at registry
Heavy workloads at the NLA or Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) can slow title searches, stamp duty assessments, or registration of transfers. These queues lie outside any lawyer’s control, yet they can stretch a timeline by weeks. Our practice stays alert to typical turnaround times, files documents in the correct order, and follows up persistently to keep your matter near the top of the pile.
Missing or incomplete files
A file may lack the original title deed, a historic agreement, or a current tax clearance certificate. Replacing or reconstructing such papers demands extra hours, statutory declarations, or even court orders. From day one we give clients a tailored checklist and help them locate each item quickly, cutting the risk of last-minute scrambling.
Financing Hurdles
Without funds in place, a signed contract means little.
Mortgage approval delays
Buyers who need a mortgage can find bank approval slower than expected. Lenders might request additional payslips, fresh valuations, or internal committee sign-off that drifts beyond the target completion date. Our lawyers liaise directly with your loan officer, flag upcoming deadlines, and prepare supporting documents in advance so approvals land on time.
Currency or transfer restrictions
International participants must obey Bank of Jamaica rules on foreign-exchange inflows and cross-border transfers. Exchange-rate swings and intermediary bank checks add yet another layer of timing risk. With experience in cross-border closings, our team guides clients through every compliance step and schedules transfers to match contractual milestones.
At Conveyance Lawyers ja, we expect these common challenges and plan around them. By combining detailed due diligence, proactive document management, and clear communication, we deliver smoother conveyancing experiences and greater peace of mind for every client. Overcoming these challenges is essential to successfully completing the final transfer of property ownership in Jamaica.
At Conveyance Lawyers JA, we expect these common challenges and plan around them. By combining detailed due diligence, proactive document management, and clear communication, we deliver smoother conveyancing experiences and greater peace of mind for every client.