The Tenure Section is involved with the application of Parts II and IIA of the Immovable Property (Tenure, Registration and Valuation) Law, Cap. 224, which determine the tenure of immovable property. In particular sections 11, 11A, 12, 14, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 43, 50A and 38A-38FF of the Law.

Various legislations in force until 1.9.1946 subdivided immovable property into five categories with different rights of ownership appertaining to each category. Legal provisions which regulated rights of ownership and prescription were complex and discrimination was made in inheritance rights between muslims and non-muslims. Furthermore, dual ownership (land and trees on the same land belonging to different persons), co ownership and multifragmentation of land created grave problems in the use and development of immovable property.

The above issues were addressed with the introduction of the Immovable Property (Tenure, Registration and Valuation) Law, which was enacted on 1.9.1946. For over half a century this law has been regulating tenure, registration and valuation of immovable property. Over this time it has been amended in attempts to further modernise and improve relevant provisions so that they may keep pace with socioeconomic developments and contemporary demands.