The Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador

Real Estate: What is Good Title (Revisited)?
2026-03-27 09:00 - 16:00 (America/St_Johns) | 3rd Floor, Law Society Building, 196-198 Water Street, St. John’s, Canada
Seminar Overview:
In the long-awaited follow-up to the seminal What is Good Title? seminar delivered in 1990, this full-day program builds on the Law Society’s 2024 Report of the Ad Hoc Land Titles Committee, which examined present-day standards and recurring areas of uncertainty in real estate practice in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The morning portion of the program will focus on how practitioners get to a root of title in the first place, with particular attention to possessory title, Crown grants, and other established sources of title. Discussion will include practical guidance on evaluating possessory title, drafting affidavits of possession, and understanding Crown Lands’ approach to title issues, as well as the process for advancing a quieting of titles application pursuant to the Quieting of Titles Act.
The afternoon will turn to what happens once the root of title has been identified. This portion will explore conveyancing standards, areas where practice approaches diverge, and strategies for improving consistency across the bar. Topics are expected to include co-ownership and family land considerations, municipal issues, easements, and other recurring sources of complexity in title review.
The final segment of the day will draw together key themes from the earlier sessions in a broader discussion of what constitutes “good title” in practice today, including how to approach problematic or non-standard title, and the evolving role of title insurance. The seminar will conclude with a plenary discussion, providing attendees with an opportunity to engage directly with presenters on practical questions and emerging issues.
Seminar Presenters:
LSNL Land Titles Committee

Gregory French (Chair), Mills, Pittman & Twyne
Adam Baker, O’Keefe & Sullivan
Benjamin Blackmore, Blackmore Law Office
Jonathan Moore, O’Dea Earle
Keith Morgan, Brown Fitzgerald Morgan & Avis
Marc Cooper, Marc Cooper Law Office
Herb Edwards (Department of Justice and Public Safety, Crown Lands)

Registration Fee: $230.00 ($200.00 + HST)
HST # R108086463
Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees.
To register for this seminar, please click here.
CPD Credit: 6 hours
