§ 17-11-102 - Definitions.

17-11-102. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Abstract of title" means a compilation in orderly arrangement of the materials and facts of record affecting the title to a specific piece of land, issued under a certificate certifying to the matters therein contained;

(2) (A) "Abstract plant" means a set of records in which an entry has been made of all documents or matters which under the law impart constructive notice of matters affecting title to all real property or any interest therein or encumbrances thereon, which have been filed or recorded in the county or district thereof for which a title plant is maintained from earliest records available in the county or district thereof and continually thereafter.

(B) Such records shall consist of an index or indices in which notations of or references to any documents that describe the property affected thereby are posted, entered, or otherwise included, according to the property described therein or copies or briefs of all documents that describe the property affected thereby which are sorted and filed according to the property described therein;

(3) "Business of abstracting" means the making, compiling, or selling of abstracts of title or title evidence purporting to be based upon information from an abstract plant;

(4) "Certificate of authority" means the authorization to engage in the business of abstracting in a county or district thereof in the State of Arkansas granted to a person, firm, or private corporation in possession of an abstract plant; and

(5) "Registered abstracter" means an individual registered under this act and holding an operative certificate of registration to prepare abstracts of title to real property in any county in this state or any person holding a license to practice law within the State of Arkansas.