Emphyteusis

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Emphyteusis (Greek, 'implanting') is a contract for land that allows the holder the right to the enjoyment of a property, often in perpetuity, on condition of proper care, payment of tax and rent. The right encompasses assignment and of descent.

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History

Emphyteusis originated in Ancient Greece.[ citation needed ] In the early Roman Empire, it was initially granted by the state for the purposes of agriculture or development. In essence, it was a long-term lease of an imperial domain for a rental in kind. The title existing before emphyteusis was ius in agro vectigali. The emphyteusis gave the lease-holder (emphyteuta) rights similar to those of a proprietor, although the real owner remained the person to whom the rent (canon or pensio) was paid. The tenant gained most of the rights of the owner. Accordingly, he could maintain actio vectigalis in rem against any one to recover possession of the land thus leased. [1] Under certain circumstances, the land returned to the owner, as in the case of the death of the emphyteuta intestate, non-payment of the rent or taxes for three years (or two years in case of land held of the Church), lapse of time if a term was fixed in the original agreement, contractus emphyteuseos, which was a specific contract and neither an ordinary lease nor a sale. The rights of the emphyteuta embraced the full use of the land and its products and were alienable and transferable by testament or ab intestato. [2]

Emphyteusis is still in use in countries such as Sri Lanka, [3] Germany, Belgium, Canada, [4] Portugal, [5] France, [6] Italy, [7] the Netherlands, [8] Malta and Catalonia [9] and, until relatively recently, in Scotland. [10]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peppercorn (law)</span> Legal term

In legal parlance, a peppercorn is a metaphor for a very small cash payment or other nominal consideration, used to satisfy the requirements for the creation of a legal contract. It is featured in Chappell & Co Ltd v Nestle Co Ltd, which stated that "a peppercorn does not cease to be good consideration if it is established that the promisee does not like pepper and will throw away the corn". However, the cited passage is mere dicta, and not the basis for the decision.

Laudemium is compensation owed to the direct landlord for not using the right of pre-emption when the emphyteusis onerously disposes of the leasehold property. It corresponds to a percentage of the property's market value, to be paid when there is an onerous transaction with a definitive deed of occupation rights or the leasing of land.

References

  1. Poste, Edward (1904). Institutes of Roman Law by Gaius. Clarendon Press. p. 430.
  2. Berger, Adolf (1953). Encyclopedic Dictionary of Roman Law. French University. p. 452.
  3. "Alfred Fernando v. Julian Fernando" (PDF). repository.ou.ac.lk. Sri Lanka Law Reports. 1987-01-16. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-11-28. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  4. Agency, Canada Revenue (22 June 2017). "Emphyteutic Leases". aem. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
  5. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2019-04-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. Glock, Stéphane. "REAL PROPERTY LAW PROJECT FRANCE" (PDF).
  7. "Leasehold or Emphyteusis in Italy: What You Should Know".
  8. https://www.amsterdam.nl/en/housing/ground-lease/
  9. "emfiteusi". enciclopèdia.cat. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  10. Steven, Andrew J M. "REVOLUTION IN SCOTTISH LAND LAW" (PDF).