Thanks Ang for your kind words!
--
Janey, i believe its called transfer to writing up stage. during this stage, you are telling the university that you are simply writing up the thesis and are not collecting any new data. the uni then give you one year to submit your thesis and you do not have to pay tuition fees. you should have a form that states WRITING UP TRANSFER
if you do not submit your thesis you are then liable to a FINE. for my uni its £250. other universities have different fines and regulations.
contact your post graduate officer / tutor. about transfering to writing up stage and thus not paying registration tuition fees. i hope that helps