(1) Four such indexes shall be made in all registration offices, and shall be named, respectively, Index No. I, Index No. II, Index No. III and Index No. IV.
(2) Index No. I shall contain the names and additions of all persons executing and of all persons claiming under every document entered or memorandum filed in Book No. 1.
(3) Index No. II shall contain such particulars mentioned in section 21, relating to every such document and memorandum as the Inspector-General from time to time directs in that behalf.
(4) Index No. III shall contain the names and additions of all persons executing and of all persons claiming under every will and authority entered in Book No. 3, and of the executors and persons respectively appointed thereunder, and after the death of the testator or the donor (but not before) the names and additions of all persons claiming under the same.
(5) Index No. IV shall contain the names and additions of all persons executing and of all persons claiming under every document entered in Book No. 4.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 55
Section 55 mandates the creation of four distinct statutory indexes (Indexes I, II, III, and IV), enabling public searches by names of parties and geographical description of immoveable property.
When conducting pre-purchase due diligence, commission a 30-year search on both Index I (names of vendor and prior owners) and Index II (specific survey/plot number) to detect undisclosed mortgages or lis pendens.