• Ask a Legal Question
  • Submit Article
  • Law Dictionary
  • My Account
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Support
  • Site Search
Login or Sign up

The Law Dictionary

  • Home
  • Law Forum
  • Law Guide
  • Law Journal
  • Lawyers
  • Legal Forms & Files
  • Inbox
  • Alerts
Home » Law Dictionary » O » OCCUPANT

OCCUPANT

TheLaw.com Law Dictionary & Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed.

The person or party that occupies property. A lessee, tenant or land owner who lives on the premises. In a general sense. One who takes possession of a thing of which there is no owner; one who has the actual possession or control of a thing. In a special sense. One who takes possession of land.

Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition

In a general sense. One who takes possession of a thing, of which there is no owner; one who has the actual possession or control of a thing. In. a special sense. One who takes possession of lands held pur autre vie, after the death of the tenant, and during the life of the cestui que vie. General occupant. At common law where a man was tenant pur autre vie, or had an estate granted to himself only (without mentioning his heirs) for the life of another man, and died without alienation during the life of cestui que vie, or him by whose life it was holden, he that could first enter on the land might lawfully retain the possession, so long as cestui que vie lived, by right of occupancy, and was hence termed a “general” or common “occupant.” 1 Steph. Comm. 415. Special occupant. A person having a special right to enter upon and occupy lands granted pur autre vie, on the death of the tenant, and during the life of cestui que vie. Where the grant is to a man and his heirs during the life of cestui que vie, the heir succeeds as special occupant, having a special exclusive right by the terms of the original grant. 2 Bl. Comm. 259; 1 Steph. Comm. 416. Occupantis finnt dereliota. Things abandoned become the property of the (first) occupant.

Related Posts:

  • TERRE-TENANT
  • OCCUPANT OR OCCUPIER
  • OCCUPANCY
  • OCCUPATION
  • POSSESSION
  • OWNER

Filed Under: O

Add a New Legal Term

Can't find the legal word, term, phrase or abbreviation that you're seeking in our dictionary? Add or request a definition by filling out the short form below!

Add Dictionary Term
Sending

Law Dictionary & Guide App

Law App

Law App

Pro Law App

Pro Law App


  Over 2,000 Five Star Ratings

  •   Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed.
  •   Free: 14,000+ legal terms, Pro: 23,000+
  •   Law Guide & Law Journal
  •   Ask Questions & Get Answers
  •   Law Library & Lawyer Directory
  • Free Attorney Case Review

    Free legal consultation with a lawyer

    • About
    • FAQ
    • Contact
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy
    • Legal Terms
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • © 1995 – 2016 TheLaw.com LLC
    Legal Disclaimer: The content appearing on our website is for general information purposes only. When you submit a question or make a comment on our site or in our law forum, you clearly imply that you are interested in receiving answers, opinions and responses from other people. The people providing legal help and who respond are volunteers who may not be lawyers, legal professionals or have any legal training or experience. The law is also subject to change from time to time and legal statutes and regulations vary between states. It is possible that the law may not apply to you and may have changed from the time a post was made. All information available on our site is available on an "AS-IS" basis. It is not a substitute for professional legal assistance. Before making any decision or accepting any legal advice, you should have a proper legal consultation with a licensed attorney with whom you have an attorney-client privilege. For purposes of New York and New Jersey State ethics rules, please take notice that this website and its case reviews may constitute attorney advertising.
    © Copyright 1995 - 2015 TheLaw.com LLC. All Rights Reserved
    Go to mobile version