The Doctrine of Adverse Possession

The Doctrine of Adverse Possession allows a person to claim ownership of land under certain conditions, even if they do not hold the legal title. To succeed, the claimant must openly and continuously use the land in a way that contradicts the rights of the true owner, typically for a specific period defined by law. This use must be without permission, known as "hostile," and meet criteria of exclusivity and continuous occupation. If these conditions are met, the claimant may gain legal ownership, effectively transferring rights from the original owner to themselves.