Transfer of Land – Is it really that easy to transfer land?

Hi guys, I really would appreciate some help on this issue.

1. My father (John) and his brother (Bill) purchased a block of land 27 years ago in 1984. At this stage they were both Estate Fee Simple joint proprietors

2. In 1986 they subdivided the land into two lots. At this stage they were again, both Estate Fee Simple joint proprietors of the two lots.

3. In 1989, lot 2, was transferred from my dad (John) and his brother (Bill) to their other brother (Fred) and his wife. Fred and his wife were now Estate Fee Simple Joint proprietors. I did a historical statement search and it shows this was registered on 20/09/1989. What is interesting is that only Fred came to my dad and asked him to sign the Transfer of Land form. He signed his section, however they subsequently went off and signed their bits and got someone to witness it. However, my dad’s signature was never witnessed and he was not present. The reason for this transfer was that it was agreed that Fred would pay the price of the property to my dad and Bill out of good faith. However, Bill never compensated my father and gave him a dodgy cheque which bounced. Let’s forget all that and assume it was just a "gift"

4. This is were it becomes interesting. On 16/03/1990 it appears that a transfer occurred where my dad’s interest in the other lot was transferred to Bill's wife. My dad swears that he never signed the document. I did a historical search and instrument search which shows the documents and it appears that the signature has been signed fraudulently. Furthermore, both signatures have been witnessed by Fred (the other brother) who had the other lot transferred to his name 6 months prior to this transfer.

Doesn't the witness have to be an independent person? How could the other brother be a witness especially given that the other lot had been transferred to his name 6 months ago? Given that this was done over 25 years ago do we still have a case? My dad only recently found out about this. How could a property be transferred to someone else’s name so easily?

Is there anyone who can help?