Govt strengthens legal protections against land fraud – AG outlines key reforms

Citizens in Guyana now have stronger legal mechanisms to detect, contest, and prevent land fraud, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC, said on the Starting Point podcast on Sunday. Speaking at length about reforms to property law, fraud prevention, and judicial safeguards, Nandlall emphasised that while fraud remains a challenge, the system now provides multiple layers of protection for property owners.
“Fraud must first be detected, reported to the police, and investigated,” Nandlall said. “Over the years, we have successfully rooted out collusion within agencies and strengthened our legal frameworks to protect citizens’ property rights.”
A key challenge in combating property fraud has been the lack of access to the Official Gazette, the government publication where all property transfers are formally announced.
Many property owners, particularly those living in rural areas or abroad, were unaware when their property was fraudulently transferred. To address this, Nandlall spearheaded the Official Gazette Online Act, which allows the Gazette to be legally published online.
“Since 2012, the online Official Gazette has the same legal force as the print version,” Nandlall explained. “Now citizens worldwide can monitor transactions in real time, giving them the opportunity to oppose fraudulent transfers before they are finalised.”
According to the Legal Affairs Minister, if a property owner notices an unauthorised transfer, they can file a formal objection, which automatically places the transaction on hold. The matter can then be brought before the courts for resolution.

Filing agreements to prevent double sales
Another method frequently used in property fraud is the double sale—when the same property is sold multiple times to different buyers. Nandlall detailed how the Deeds Registry Act was amended to address this problem.
“Once an agreement to sell property is signed, it must now be filed at the Deeds Registry,” he said. “Prospective buyers have a legal duty to check whether any prior agreements exist before signing a new one. This ensures that property cannot be sold multiple times without legal consequence.”
These amendments place the responsibility on buyers to exercise due diligence, but they also provide legal recourse for anyone defrauded in a sale.

Safeguarding powers of attorney
Fraud involving powers of attorney has also been a concern. Nandlall explained that the Powers of Attorney Act was updated to include stricter verification procedures. Individuals appointing agents must now present two forms of pictorial identification to a notary public, who retains a copy for verification. The Deeds Registry will not file any power of attorney without confirming that the IDs match the person granting the authority.
“This makes it far more difficult for criminals to forge documents or impersonate someone else in property transactions,” Nandlall said. “These measures are not meant to burden citizens—they are intended to protect their property.

Vigilance remains key
While the legal system is now better equipped to combat land fraud, Nandlall emphasised that citizens must remain vigilant. Owners are encouraged to monitor the Official Gazette, check property records at the Deeds Registry, and verify agreements before finalising transactions.
“Fraud has not been completely eliminated,” he said. “But with these mechanisms in place—online Gazette access, mandatory filing of agreements, strict verification of powers of attorney—it is now appreciably more difficult for criminals to succeed. Citizens must also play their part in safeguarding their property.”
In addition to legislative reforms, Nandlall highlighted the judiciary’s strengthened capacity to handle property disputes. Specialised courts, including commercial and constitutional courts, and an increased number of judges in the High Court and Court of Appeal, ensure that cases are resolved efficiently and fairly.
“These reforms demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting property rights and maintaining public confidence in the legal system,” Nandlall said. “We have made the law stronger, but citizens must remain informed and vigilant to fully benefit from these protections.”