Act of Discovery

The Act of Discovery refers to the legal principle used in property law that allows a landowner to claim ownership of land that is unoccupied or unused. Historically, it also relates to the period of European exploration when explorers claimed new territories for their countries, asserting rights over lands previously inhabited by Indigenous peoples. This concept raises important questions about sovereignty, justice, and the rights of original inhabitants versus colonizers. In contemporary discussions, it often relates to issues of land rights, indigenous sovereignty, and the legacy of colonialism.