What does the term 'legal ownership' require in this context?

• A. Registration at HM Land Registry
• B. Payment of the price in full
• C. Signing the contract
• D. Possession of the property

Answer: (A)

Legal ownership in land law is shown by who is registered as the owner on the Land Registry title. For land in England and Wales, the transfer of legal ownership happens when the disposition is registered at HM Land Registry. Paying the price, signing the contract, or merely occupying the property do not by themselves confer legal title. Payment is part of completion, signing the contract sets the agreement in motion, and possession reflects control, not ownership. So the step that establishes legal ownership in this context is registration at HM Land Registry.