The Legislative Council has passed draft laws that will see the creation of a central registry.

MLCs granted a third reading to the Central Registry Bill on Tuesday.

It requires royal assent before becoming law.

The new law will establish formally a central registry under the auspices of the Department for Enterprise, transferring a number of functions from the General Registry and chief registrar.

It also provides a ’legislative basis’ for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

Tim Crookall, who guided the bill through the upper chamber, said it would create the role of a registrar general.

That person would be accountable to the DfE but the role would be ’free from unnecessary or inappropriate political intervention’.

The Central Registry will comprise the civil registry, companies registry, deeds and probate registry, land registry and public record office. It will also be responsible for the charities register and the register of political parties.