A first for new State Registrar of Titles

On 11 July 2012, Landgate's Jean Villani was sworn in as the State's Registrar of Titles by the Hon. Justice Christopher Pullin at the Supreme Court.

The former Registrar, Landgate's General Manager Operations Bruce Roberts, held the position for more than ten years.

In her role as Registrar, Ms Villani will work closely with Ms Susan Dukes who was appointed Western Australia's Commissioner of Titles in 2007.

For the first time since the Torrens System was introduced into Western Australia in 1875, the key roles of Registrar of Titles and Commissioner of Titles are held by women.

Ms Villani said she was honoured to be appointed the Registrar of Titles.

"It is an important statutory position responsible for the administration and maintenance of the WA Land Titles Register. Each year more than $33 billion in transfers, $40 billion in mortgages and in excess of 20,000 new titles for newly subdivided land are registered," said Ms Villani.

Jean Villani joined Landgate in 2008. She performs a dual role as Landgate's Director Registrations and the State's Registrar of Titles. She has a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing and Management) and has been a member of Western Australia's public service for more than 14 years. Prior to Landgate, Jean worked for a variety of State Government agencies including Rottnest Island Authority, the then Contract and Management Services, Office of Water Regulation, and Department of Consumer and Employment Protection.

Susan Dukes has worked as a solicitor with Landgate (and its predecessors) since 1997. She has been the Commissioner of Titles since 2007. She has a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia. She has practised law in the private sector and with the State Government. Her experience includes completing an internship at the International Chamber of Commerce, Court of Arbitration in Paris, France. Susan is a member of the Law Society of Western Australia, Australian Corporate Lawyers Association and Property Law Committee of the Law Society.

The Registrar of Titles and Commissioner of Titles are independent statutory offices established under the Transfer of Land Act 1893. The positions have different statutory functions and their complementary roles work together to administer and maintain the WA Land Titles Register.

• The Registrar of Titles performs the important registration function and is responsible for the day to day administration and maintenance of the WA Land Titles Register.

• The Commissioner of Titles position must be occupied by a senior lawyer and has a key role in the administration and protection of the integrity of the WA Land Titles Register. 

• The Torrens System of land title by registration that operates throughout Australia is renowned for its simplicity and certainty. Fundamental to that system are the principles of certainty of land title, and guarantee of that title by the State.

Landgate is Western Australia's primary source of land information and geographic data, providing the accuracy government, business and individuals rely on.