Land & Real Property

The law of God and the law of the land are all one, and both preserve and favor the common and public good of the land.

Le ley de Dieu et le ley de terre sont tout un, et l'un et l'autre preferre et savour le common et publique bien del terre.

Source: Keilw. 191; Wharton; Weisman, 70q

Divine law and the law of the land share a common purpose — the protection of the public good and the common rights of the people. Neither contradicts the other when rightly understood.

Whose is the soil, his it is even to the sky above and to the depths below.

Cujus est solum, ejus est usque ad coelum et ad inferos.

Source: Co. Litt. 4a; Wharton, Legal Maxims, Max. 24; Broom, Max. 395; 2 Bl. Comm. 18; 9 Co. 54; C.L.M.; Weisman, 70f

The owner of land owns everything above and below it to an indefinite extent — the surface is merely the midpoint of his dominion.

Land comprehends every ground, soil, or earth whatsoever — meadows, pastures, woods, moors, waters, and marshes.

Terra comprehendit omnem rem, solum, seu fundamentum quodcunque.

Source: Co. Litt. 4a; Weisman, 70w

"Land" in law is the broadest term — it encompasses not merely dry soil but every type of ground and the water that covers it.

Land lying unoccupied is given to the first occupant.

Terra manens vacua occupanti conceditur.

Source: C.L.M.; Dig. 41.1.3; 2 Bl. Comm. 258; Weisman, 70e

Where land has no owner, the first man to take actual possession establishes the original right.

Whatever is planted in the soil belongs to the soil.

Quicquid plantatur solo, solo cedit.

Source: Inst. 2.1.32; 2 Bouv. Inst. n. 1572; Dig. 41.1.7.10

Whatever takes root in the soil becomes the property of the landowner, regardless of who planted it — a trespasser who plants crops on another's land loses them, and a tenant's plantings revert to the landlord absent a contrary agreement. Cite this in disputes over ownership of timber, orchards, or improvements affixed to land.

Whatever is built upon the soil belongs to the soil.

Quicquid inaedificatur solo, solo cedit.

Source: Broom, Max. 401-431; Inst. 2.1.29; Co. Litt. 4a; Fleta, lib. 3, c. 2, s. 12

Buildings, fences, walls, and all permanent structures affixed to land become part of the land — they pass with a grant of the soil.