planning permissions. The Physical Planning Act, 2016, is holistic when dealing with physical planning. Section 24 prescribes what a National Physical Development Plan should consist of; among which are development statements, principles and background studies which among other things should cover analysis of demographic, economic, energy and environment issues, land use and land tenure. Further the Act demands that relevant authorities should consult other relevant institutions when reviewing physical plans for development. It recognises the need of reasonable compensation to land owners in case of compulsory acquisition of land for public interest in accordance to section 18 of the Land Act of 2016. Land Survey Act 2016 36. The Land Survey Act 2016 repeals the Land Survey Act (Cap 59:03) of 1955. The Act provides for land survey and related matter to ensure provision of better land surveys and the licensing and control of Land Surveyors. The Act also provides for establishment of Land Surveyors Registration Board and Malawi Geographical Information Council. The main function of the Land Surveyors Board is to license and oversee the conduct of land surveyors. The main functions of the Malawi Geographical Information Council are to register spatial data and to advise on policies and technical issues relating to spatial data development, update, management, and transfer. A licensed land surveyor is the only person who can prepare plans, diagrams or maps that are used for registration of a land title or a deed. Any boundaries marked or demarcated by a land surveyor are lawfully established. The method and accuracy for establishing boundaries of pieces or parcels of land is not specified in the law but is to be defined in the regulations and rules. Equally, the fees to be paid for surveying services shall be included in the regulations and rules since these are reviewed periodically. For precise location of land parcel, boundary corners and lines are defined by measurement (distances and directions between corners) and referenced to the monuments or markers placed or existing on the ground or to adjoining land. 9