Doctrine of lost grant

The Doctrine of Lost Grant is a legal principle in property law that addresses situations where someone claims ownership of land based on an original grant or deed that appears to have been lost over time. If a person shows they possessed the land peacefully and openly for a long time, and they can prove the original grant was made to them, courts may recognize their title despite the absence of the physical document. Essentially, it prevents someone from losing their rights simply because the original proof of ownership has disappeared, as long as the possession was lawful and continuous.