100 Years of Actual Occupation as an Overriding Interest in English & Welsh Land Law: Challenging the Rationale and Making the Radical Case for Abolition

Bevan, Chris

Abstract

It is 100 years since the rights of those in ‘actual occupation’ joined the statute book as interests capable of binding transferees of land despite not appearing on the register. This article seizes the opportunity to investigate and excavate the overlooked and under-examined historical origins of the actual occupation concept and to revisit the oft-touted rationales for the principle’s recognition. In so doing, the article rejects the commonly rehearsed justifications for the concept and makes the radical case for abolition of actual occupation.

Citation

Bevan, C. (online). 100 Years of Actual Occupation as an Overriding Interest in English & Welsh Land Law: Challenging the Rationale and Making the Radical Case for Abolition. Legal Studies, https://doi.org/10.1017/lst.2024.41

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 1, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Feb 3, 2025
• Deposit Date: Nov 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 17, 2025
• Journal: Legal Studies
• Print ISSN: 0261-3875
• Electronic ISSN: 1748-121X
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/lst.2024.41
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3080995