A deprivation presupposes a possession.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) Before claiming deprivation, the claimant must first prove he possessed the thing — a man who never had possession cannot be deprived of it.

Where this applies

• A man claims the city deprived him of his water rights, but the court finds he never had water rights to that parcel in the first place.
• Someone sues for the loss of a business license they never actually held.
• A person files a complaint that their hunting privileges were revoked, but records show they never applied for or received a hunting permit.