Property 2019-2020
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TableofContentsCHAPTER 1: THE NATURE OF PROPERTY ........................................................................................ 6
MEANINGS OF PROPERTY ......................................................................................................................................... 6 FORMS OF PROPERTY ................................................................................................................................................. 6 PROPERTY AND THE RIGHT TO EXCLUDE (MERILL) ...................................................................................... 6 ECONOMICS OF PROPERTY ...................................................................................................................................... 7 SOURCES AND JUSTIFICATIONS OF PROPERTY ................................................................................................ 8 NOVEL CLAIMS .............................................................................................................................................................. 8
International News Service v Associated Press (Property in News) .............................................................................. 8 Victoria Park Racing and Recreation Ground Ltd v Taylor [1937] (Property in a Spectacle) ....................................... 9 Moore v Regents of the University of California [1990] (Property in the Human Body) .............................................. 9
CHAPTER 2: PROPERTY LAW IN CONTEXT .................................................................................... 10 ENGLISH COMMON LAW .......................................................................................................................................... 10 CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTY INTERESTS ................................................................................................... 12 GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION AND PROTECTION OF PROPERTY RIGHTS ......................................... 12
Municipal Government Act, s. 640(1) .......................................................................................................................... 13 Hyrdro and Electric Act ................................................................................................................................................ 13 Alberta Expropriation Act s. 2(1) ................................................................................................................................. 13 Property rules vs. liability rules .................................................................................................................................... 13
EXPROPRIATION ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Process of Expropriation ............................................................................................................................................... 14 Common Law Property Rights ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Principles of Compensation .......................................................................................................................................... 14 AG v De Keyser’s Royal Hotel .................................................................................................................................... 15 Manitoba Fisheries Ltd v R ........................................................................................................................................... 15 British Columbia v Tener .............................................................................................................................................. 16
REGULATORY TAKINGS AND DE FACTO EXPROPRIATION ......................................................................... 16 Pennsylvania Coal Co v Mahon .................................................................................................................................... 17 Penn Central Transportation Co v New York City ....................................................................................................... 17 Lucas v South Carolina Coastal Council ...................................................................................................................... 17 Loretto v Teleprompter Manhattan VATV Corp .......................................................................................................... 17 Mariner Real Estate Ltd v Nova Scotia ........................................................................................................................ 18 Canadian Pacific Railway Co v Vancouver .................................................................................................................. 18
EXPROPRIATION PROVISIONS IN FREE TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS .............................................................................................................................................................. 18
Chapter 3: The Boundaries of Property .................................................................................................... 19 PROPERTY, POVERTY, AND THE RIGHT TO EXCLUDE .................................................................................. 19
Victoria (City) v Adams [2008] .................................................................................................................................... 20 Dwyer v Staunton ......................................................................................................................................................... 20 Fontainebleau Hotel v 4525 Inc .................................................................................................................................... 20
LAND AND WATER BOUNDARIES .......................................................................................................................... 21 LAND BOUNDED BY WATER .................................................................................................................................... 23
Public Lands Act: .......................................................................................................................................................... 23 Surveys Act: .................................................................................................................................................................. 23 Erik v McDonald ........................................................................................................................................................... 23
ACCRETION .................................................................................................................................................................. 23 Robertson v Wallace: .................................................................................................................................................... 24
SUBSURFACE RIGHTS ................................................................................................................................................ 24 Edwards v Sims (1929) ................................................................................................................................................. 24 Economic Perspective on the Great Onyx Caves ......................................................................................................... 25 Star Energy Weald Basin Ltd v Bocardo SA ................................................................................................................ 25
THE RIGHTS TO MINES AND MINERALS ............................................................................................................. 25 MINERAL TITLE DISPUTES ...................................................................................................................................... 26
Borys v CPR ................................................................................................................................................................. 26
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Surface Rights Act ........................................................................................................................................................ 26 Public Lands Act ........................................................................................................................................................... 26 Mines and Minerals Act s. 10 ....................................................................................................................................... 26 Mines and Minerals Act s. 1 ......................................................................................................................................... 27 Law of Property Act ...................................................................................................................................................... 27
AIRSPACE RIGHTS ...................................................................................................................................................... 27 Didow v Alberta Power Ltd [1988] .............................................................................................................................. 27
ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY .......................................................................................................................................... 27 Coase Theorem & Property vs. Liability Rules – also see Great Onyx Caves ............................................................. 28
FIXTURES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Clash of Security Interests ............................................................................................................................................ 29 La Salle Recreations v Camdex .................................................................................................................................... 29 Re Davis ........................................................................................................................................................................ 29 Tenants Fixtures ............................................................................................................................................................ 30 Diamond Neon Ltd v Toronto-Dominion Realty .......................................................................................................... 30 Personal Property Security Act ..................................................................................................................................... 30
TRANSFORMATION OF PROPERTY IN CHATTELS .......................................................................................... 30 Glencore International AG v Metro Trading International Inc ..................................................................................... 31 McKeown v Cavalier Yachts Pty Ltd (1988) ............................................................................................................... 31 Tests for Accession (Thomas v Robinson) ................................................................................................................... 32 Common Law Rule for Accession ................................................................................................................................ 32 Statutory Rule for Accession ........................................................................................................................................ 32 Jones v De Marchant ..................................................................................................................................................... 33
MISTAKEN IMPROVEMENT ..................................................................................................................................... 33 Law of Property Act, s 69 ............................................................................................................................................. 33 Gidney v Shank (1995) ................................................................................................................................................. 33
Chapter 4: The Concept of Possession ....................................................................................................... 34 Pierson v Post ................................................................................................................................................................ 34 Popov v Hayashi (2002) ................................................................................................................................................ 35 Clift v Kane ................................................................................................................................................................... 35
FINDERS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 35 General .......................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Armory v Delamirie ...................................................................................................................................................... 36 Keron v Cashman .......................................................................................................................................................... 37 Bird v Fort Frances ....................................................................................................................................................... 37 Baird v British Columbia .............................................................................................................................................. 37 Parker v British Airways ............................................................................................................................................... 37 Trachuk v Olinek .......................................................................................................................................................... 37
ABANDONMENT ........................................................................................................................................................... 38 Historical Resources Act, s 32(1) ................................................................................................................................. 38 The Jus Tertii Defence .................................................................................................................................................. 38
ADVERSE POSSESSION .............................................................................................................................................. 38 Limitations Act: ............................................................................................................................................................ 39 Land Titles Act, s 74 ..................................................................................................................................................... 40 Municipal Government Act s 609 ................................................................................................................................. 40 Public Lands Act s 4 ..................................................................................................................................................... 40 Keefer v Arillota ........................................................................................................................................................... 40
ADVERSE POSSESSION OF CHATTELS ................................................................................................................. 41 Barbaree v Bilo (1991) .................................................................................................................................................. 41 O’Keeffe v Snyder (1980) ............................................................................................................................................ 41
GIFTS ............................................................................................................................................................................... 42 INTER VIVOS GIFTS .................................................................................................................................................... 42
Nolan v Nolan & Anor (2003) ...................................................................................................................................... 42 Alberta Evidence Act, s. 11 .......................................................................................................................................... 43
DONATIO MORTIS CAUSA ........................................................................................................................................ 43
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Re Bayoff Estate ........................................................................................................................................................... 44 Constructive delivery .................................................................................................................................................... 44 Symbolic delivery ......................................................................................................................................................... 44
CHAPTER 4: DOCTRINE OF ESTATES ............................................................................................... 44 INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL NOTES .............................................................................................................. 44
REPUGNANCY 1: Re Walker [1924] irreconcilable will – repugnancy – life estate or fee simple ........................... 47 REPUGNANCY 2: Re Taylor – not fee simple just because of power to encroach on capital ................................... 47 REPUGNANCY 3: Christensen v Martin – intentions based on circumstances, language of whole will ................... 47
RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES OF LIFE TENANTS & REMAINDERPERSONS ........................................... 48 Powers v Powers Estate - Recurring expenses borne by life tenant; capital expenses borne by estate ........................ 48 The Dower Act .............................................................................................................................................................. 49
CHAPTER 5: ABORIGINAL RIGHTS IN LAND .................................................................................. 50 Calder (1973) ................................................................................................................................................................ 50 Guerin (1984) ................................................................................................................................................................ 50
Proving Aboriginal Title ................................................................................................................................................. 50 Aboriginal Rights Short of Title .................................................................................................................................... 51 Extinguishment of Title .................................................................................................................................................. 51 Justifying Infringements of Aboriginal Title ................................................................................................................ 51
Haida Nation Case ........................................................................................................................................................ 51 Legislation Re: Aboriginal Rights ................................................................................................................................. 52 Aboriginal Title and Common law Estates Similarities and Differences ................................................................... 52
CHAPTER 6: EQUITABLE INTERESTS ............................................................................................... 52 THE STATUTE OF USES, 1535 ................................................................................................................................... 53 THE EMERGENCE OF THE TRUST ......................................................................................................................... 54 TYPES OF TRUSTS ....................................................................................................................................................... 55
Express Trusts ............................................................................................................................................................... 55 Resulting Trusts ............................................................................................................................................................ 55 Pecore v Pecore ............................................................................................................................................................. 56 Constructive Trusts ....................................................................................................................................................... 56 Semelhago (SCC) .......................................................................................................................................................... 56 Bulun Bulun .................................................................................................................................................................. 56 Murdoch v Murdoch ..................................................................................................................................................... 57 Peter v Beblow .............................................................................................................................................................. 57 Kerr v Baranow ............................................................................................................................................................. 57
CHAPTER 7: QUALIFIED/CONDITIONAL TRANSFERS AND FUTURE INTERESTS .............. 57 Determining the kind of Qualified Interest ................................................................................................................... 59
The Rule in Browne v Moody ...................................................................................................................................... 59 Phipps v. Ackers (Kotsar v. Shattock) .......................................................................................................................... 59
INEFFECTIVE STIPULATIONS ................................................................................................................................. 59 INVALID CONDITIONS ............................................................................................................................................... 60 RESULTS OF INVALIDITY ......................................................................................................................................... 60 INVALIDITY: UNCERTAINTY .................................................................................................................................. 61
Sifton v Sifton ............................................................................................................................................................... 61 Kotsar v Shattock .......................................................................................................................................................... 61
INVALIDITY: RESTRAINT ON ALIENATION ....................................................................................................... 61 INVALIDITY: DOCTRINE OF PUBLIC POLICY ................................................................................................... 62
The Leonard Case ......................................................................................................................................................... 62 Doctrine of Cy-Pres ...................................................................................................................................................... 63 McKorkill (SCC) .......................................................................................................................................................... 63 Spence v BMO (ONCA) ............................................................................................................................................... 63 Re Esther G. Castanera Scholarship (MBQB) .............................................................................................................. 63 Kay v South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service (Australia) ..................................................................................... 63
INVALIDITY: PERPETUITIES AT COMMON LAW ............................................................................................. 63 Rule Against Perpetuities (RAP) .................................................................................................................................. 63
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INVALIDITY: PERPETUITIES UNDER ALBERTA STATUTE ............................................................................ 65 Scurry-Rainbow Oil (Sask.) Ltd. v Taylor (2001) ........................................................................................................ 65
CHAPTER 8: LEASES, LICENSES, AND BAILMENTS ...................................................................... 66 Street v. Mountford ....................................................................................................................................................... 67 Metro-Matic v. Hulmann .............................................................................................................................................. 67
NATURE OF THE LANDLORD’S AND THE TENANT’S INTERESTS ............................................................... 68 THE CONCEPT OF “TOUCHING AND CONCERNING” ...................................................................................... 68
Merger Restaurants v. DME Foods Ltd. ....................................................................................................................... 68 Anderson v. BC ............................................................................................................................................................. 68
LIMITS ON THE TENANT’S RIGHT TO ALIENATE – RIGHT TO ASSIGN THE LEASEHOLD ................ 69 Sundance v. Richfield ................................................................................................................................................... 69
OBLIGATIONS OF LANDLORDS AND TENANTS (Commercial) ....................................................................... 69 TERMINATION AND REMEDIES ............................................................................................................................. 70
Goldhar v Universal ...................................................................................................................................................... 70 Highway Properties ....................................................................................................................................................... 71 Evergreen v IBI ............................................................................................................................................................. 72
LICENSES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 72 RESIDENTIAL TENANCY REFORM ........................................................................................................................ 73
RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT ............................................................................................................................ 73 BAILMENT ..................................................................................................................................................................... 74
Letourneau v. Otto Mobiles Edmonton ........................................................................................................................ 75 SUB-BAILMENT ............................................................................................................................................................ 76
Punch v. Savoy’s Jewellers Ltd .................................................................................................................................... 76 The Pioneer Container .................................................................................................................................................. 77
CHAPTER 9: CO-OWNERSHIP .............................................................................................................. 77 JOINT TENANCY .......................................................................................................................................................... 77 TENANCY IN COMMON ............................................................................................................................................. 78 SEVERANCE .................................................................................................................................................................. 78
Sorensen v. Sorensen .................................................................................................................................................... 79 RESOLVING CO-OWNERSHIP DISPUTES ............................................................................................................. 80
CHAPTER 10: SERVITUDES ................................................................................................................... 81 CREATION OF EASEMENTS ..................................................................................................................................... 83 TERMINATION OF EASEMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 84 SCOPE OF EASEMENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 84
Laurie v. Winch- 1953 SCR .......................................................................................................................................... 84 Malden Farms v. Nicholson- 1956 Ont CA .................................................................................................................. 85 The Rule in Harris v Flower ......................................................................................................................................... 85
OTHER SERVITUDES AND SERVITUDE-TYPE RIGHTS ................................................................................... 85 Profits a prendre: ........................................................................................................................................................... 85 Tener case ..................................................................................................................................................................... 86 Dynex Petroleum v BMO SCC 2002 ............................................................................................................................ 86
COVENANTS RUNNING WITH PROPERTY .......................................................................................................... 87 COVENANTS AT LAW ................................................................................................................................................. 88 COVENANTS IN EQUITY ............................................................................................................................................ 88
Tulk v. Moxhay ............................................................................................................................................................. 88 Galbraith v Madawaska ................................................................................................................................................ 89
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CHAPTER1:THENATUREOFPROPERTY
MEANINGSOFPROPERTY• Propertyisnotnecessarilyathing,ratherreferstothelegaltitle,theenforceableexclusiveright,ortheintangiblething• Thisisassociatedwithrights,liabilities,andduties,whatWaldroncallsthebasicelementsofownership
o Thisnetworkoflegalrelationshipsdynamic.Existingrelationshipscanbealteredandnewonescreates,withcorrespondingnewlegalconsequences
• Propertyrightsaregoodagainsttheworld(versuscontractualrightsthatarelimitedbyprivityofcontract)• Differingideasaboutpropertyrights:asanaturalphenomenon,asasocialconstructthattendstoreflectthebalanceof
powerinsociety• Propertyasa“bundleofsticks”:propertyasabundleofrights,witheachstickrepresentingaright.Showsthatanyright
associatedwithownershipcanbeunbundledandtransferredtosomebodyelse,whileownershipismaintained• Societaldifferencesbetweenpropertyadphysicalproperty–propertyisaclaimthatwillbeenforcedbythesocietyorthe
state,orbycustom,convention,orlaw
FORMSOFPROPERTY1) Privateproperty:thepersonwhohaspropertyhascertainexclusiverightsthatnooneelsehastothatresource2) Openaccess:anyonecanenjoytheresource,noonehastherighttoexcludeothersfromtheresource(e.g.air)3) Commonproperty:membersofaparticulargroupownandmanagetheresourcetogether.Tonon-membersofthegroup
thislookslikeprivateproperty,butwithinthegroupitmightlooklikeopenaccessa. E.g.villagersowningagrazingpasture
4) Publicproperty:thestateownstheresourceandhastherighttoexclude.Thisformcanbehavelikeprivatepropertyinsomeaspects,butisalsoimbuedwithcertainduties
a. Publicownershipasintrustforthepeopleb. E.g.Premier’soffice–thisispublicproperty,butyouarestillexcludedfromitc. E.g.water
PROPERTYANDTHERIGHTTOEXCLUDE(MERILL)• Therighttoexcludeisseenhereasthemostessentialaspectofproperty• Pointsofconsensusregardingtherighttoexclude:
o Theinstitutionofpropertyisnotconcernedwith“things”(scarceresources)asmuch,butratherwiththerightsofpersonswithrespectthesethings/resources
o Propertyincludestherightsofpersonswithrespecttobothtangibleandintangibleresources(e.g.copyright)o Propertymeanssomethingdifferentthanpossession(andpropertyrightsgenerallytrumppossessoryrights)o Propertycannotexistwithoutsomeinstitutionalstructurethatcanenforceit(usuallythestate,butcanalsobe
somethinglikesocialostracism)• Disagreementsontherighttoexclude:
o Howcentraltherighttoexcludeistotheunderstandingofproperty.3intellectualtraditionsaboutthisincludingsingle-variableessentialism,multi-variableessentialism,andnominalism
o Essentialism:thesearchforthecriticalelementsthatmakeupthecoreofpropertyinallmanifestations(WilliamBlackstone)
Single-variableessentialism Multi-variableessentialism Nominalismo Positsthattherightto
excludeothersistheirreduciblecoreattributabletoproperty
o Positsthattheessenceofpropertyliesnotjustintherighttoexcludeothers,butinalargersetofattributes
o Therighttoexcludeisanecessary,butnotsufficient,conditionofproperty
o E.g.TonyHonore’s
o Viewspropertyasapurelyconventionalconceptwithnofixedmeaning
o Essentiallyanemptyvesselthatcanbefilledbyeachlegalsysteminaccordancewithitsownvaluesandbeliefs
o Heretherightto
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standardincidentsofpropertyincludetherighttopossess,therighttouse,manage,righttosecurity,etc.
excludeisneithersufficientornecessary,itspresenceisnotessential
ECONOMICSOFPROPERTY• Howdifferenceconceptions/justificationsofpropertyallowustodecidewhatisthebestlegalregimefordealingwitha
particularresource
1) Hobbes:describesthestateofnatureasonewherethereisnopropriety,nodominion,nodistinctionbetweenmineandyours,onlywhatbelongstoeverymanforaslongashecankeepit
a. Believedmanhasarighttoeverything,eventoanother’sbodyb. Importanceofasocialcontracttoescapethestateofwarandguaranteesafety–helpstopropupthestate,only
thencanwehaveindustryc. Whenthereisnopropertytherearenoincentivestoinvest,cultivate,andpreserve
2) Smith:privatepropertyencourageslabour,investment,andusefultradea. Basicideaisthatinalegalsystembasedonprivatepropertyandthefreedomofcontract,thingsendupinthe
handsofthepeoplewhovaluethemthemost–thisisthedefinitionofefficientallocationofresourcesb. Newpropertybecomesthepropertyofthepersonwhomanufacturesit.Onlyifthevaluetothemaker/buyeris
higherthanthevalueoftheinputs,willtheproducerproduceandsellthething3) DeSoto:whatcharacterizesdevouteconomiesisstrong,formalprotectionofpropertyrights.Societieswhereproperty
rightsaren’tformallyrecognizedorprotectedtendtobeunderdevelopeda. Essentiallythatcapitalismhasnotachievedasmuchsuccesselsewhereasithasinthewesternworldb. Saysitisnotabouttheamountofwealthnationshave,ratherthatinothernationsthemajorityofthiswealth
existsonthemarginsc. Becauseofthis,thefailureofmarketeconomiesinemergingnationsarisesinlargemeasurefromtheinabilityto
releasethecapitalpotentiallockedintotheexistingassets4) Harden:TRAGEDYOFTHECOMMONS–howrationalself-interestcanleadthecollectivetoit’sdoom,andhowthatresult
canbeavoideda. Thisdescribesapasturethatisheldincommonbyavillagebutbehavesinternallylikeopenaccess.Everymember
ofthecommunitydecidesthemselveshowmanycattletobringontothepasture,andeveryvillagermakesadecisionintheirownself-interest,leadingtotheultimatedepletionandcollapseofthecommonpasture
b. Gaintheoryperspective:showshowindividualrationalityleadstogroupstupidity(everycattleherderbenefitsfrommorecattle,butthecost(lossofpasture)issharedamongthecommunity.Thisisthesameprocessasaproducerwhobenefitsfrommanufacturingsteel,butinflictsthecost(pollution)onneighbors
c. Hardenseestwoproblems:i. Noactorhasanincentivetomaintainorimprovethecommonresource(benefitsofimprovementare
spreadbutthecostsareindividual,becauseit’snotinanyone’seconomicinteresttogetitdone)ii. Resourcescanbegainedbyanyonesothereisaracetogetthem–e.g.timbercutdownbeforeitis
matured. Howdowesolvethisexternalityproblem?
i. Createacontractbetweenallofthevillagers.Ifthecommunityissmallenoughthismightbepossiblewithcustomorconvention
ii. Establishafirm–everyvillagerownssharesinthatcorporation,soavestedinterestiscreatediii. Nationalization
e. Privatizationallowsdifferentpeopletohaveapieceoftheproperty,sotheycandecidehowtheywanttomanageit–buttherearestillcostsinvolvedwiththis(e.g.fences,monitoring)
f. Anticommonsproblem:toomanyseparateownersofasingleresourceendupblockinganother’suse,resultinginnoonebeingabletoproperlyusetheresource
5) Demsetz:privatepropertyissuperiortoopenaccessorcommonpropertybecauseitalignscostsandbenefitsa. Definesexternality:includesexternalcosts,externalbenefits,monetaryandnon-monetaryexternalities–
basically,somebodyalwayssuffersorenjoystheeffectsofactionb. Althoughprivatepropertymaybesuperiortootherarrangements,wecan’tgetprivatepropertyeverytime,only
whenthegainsfrommovingtoprivatepropertyarehigherthanthecosts
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c. Propertyrightsareaninstrumentofsocietyandderivetheirsignificantfromthefactthattheyhelpapersonformexpectationsthattheycanreasonablyholdintheirdealingswithothers–aboutcreatinglegitimacyandconsistency
d. E.g.beforethefurtradeanyonecouldhuntfreelyintheforest–huntinggeneratesbenefitsandcosts.Hunterenjoysbenefitsfromtheanimalitself,butdepletionoftheanimalintheforestnegativelyaffectseveryone.AftertradewithEuropeansfurbecameveryvaluableandhuntingincreased,sostockwasdepleted.
i. Externalityofhuntingincreased,movefromasystemofopenaccesstoasystemofpropertyrightswherepeopleallottedanareaoftheforestwheretheycouldhunt,sothecostsandbenefitsarenotaligned
6) RichardPosner:Threecharacteristicstomakepropertylawmoreefficient:a. Promotionofexclusivity:thelawneedstoallocateresourcestoindividualsandgivethemthetoolstoensurethat
theyarerecognizedandenforced,soastominimizetheftandfree-ridingb. Universality:asmanygoodsaspossibleshouldbeavailabletoasmanypotentialholdersaspossiblec. Transferabilityofentitlements:toencourageandassistexchangetothosewhoarethemostwillingtoacquire
them
SOURCESANDJUSTIFICATIONSOFPROPERTY• Naturalandrights-basedapproaches:
o Hegel:propertyisnecessaryforself-actualization§ Basedonatheoryofautonomyandfreewill.Hesaysthattoexerciseourfreewillwerequirematerial
objects§ Toenablepeopletoself-actualize,weneedtoensurethattheyhavetheirownobjects
o Locke:propertyrightscomefromGodbecauseGodcreatedearth.ThistheorysaysthatGodgiveseveryonepropertyintheirownperson(ownstheirownbody),sothelabourproducedbytheirbodyistheirownproperty
§ Ideathatwhenyoumixyourlabourintoapartoftheearththatwasgiventomankind,youhaveremoveditfromthecommonandappropriateditforyourpersonaluse(aslongasyouleaveenoughforeveryoneelse)
§ Apersonwholaboursdeservestoreapwhattheyhavesown(thishasbeeninfluentialinjurisprudence)o Radin:Thisisapersonhoodtheorybasedontheattachmentthatpeopleformwithobjects
§ Characterizedtwovaluesthataresourcemayhave–personhoodvalueorfungiblevalue• Consequentialistapproaches:notbasedinreasoningordivineorder,ratherdealwithconsequences
o Bentham(utilitarianism):suggestedthatnormsandchoicesoughttobeevaluatednotonthebasisoftheirinherentnatureorvalue,butratherontheirconsequences
o Everythingshouldbejudgedonlyonifitincreasesordecreasesthetotalamountofhappinessintheworld(welfareutility)
o Concludedthatpropertydoesnotderivefromanythingbutlaw.Itisbornfromlawanddiesfromlaw,itiswhatthelawsaysitis
NOVELCLAIMS
InternationalNewsServicevAssociatedPress(PropertyinNews)• Facts:Newscompaniesareincompetition,andthecomplainanthasallegedthatthedefendanthasbeenpiratingtheirnews
bybribingemployees,byinducingtheirmemberstoviolateby-lawsandobtainnewsbeforepublication,andbycopyingnewsfromearlyeditionsoftheirnewspaperandsellingit
• Issues:1) Istherepropertyinnews?2) Doespublishednewsbecomepublicpropertywhenitispublished?
• Reasons:o Reasoningwaslargelyeconomic,centeredaroundtheneedtosustainincentivestoengagedinnewsmakingo Thecourtheldthatthereisaquasi-propertyinterestinnewsduetothecommercialrealitiesofitsproduction
§ Thedefendantistakingmaterialthathasbeenacquiredbythecomplainantastheresultoforganizationandtheexpenditureoflabour,skill,andmoney,appropriatingitandsellingitasitsowninordertoreapprofits(Locke’stheoryofmixinglabourwithnaturemakesityours)
o Eachpartyisunderadutytoconductitsownbusinesssoastonotunnecessarilyorunfairlyinjurethatoftheotherparty
o Itisnecessarytodistinguishthesubstanceoftheinformationinnewsfromtheparticularformitiscommunicatedin–thefactsthemselvescontainnopropertyinterest,buttheexpressionoftheidentity
• Dissent(HolmesJ.):
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o Propertyisacreationoflawanddependsuponexclusionbylawfrominterference(legalrealism).Apersonisnotexcludedfromusinganycombinationofwordsjustbecausesomeonehasuseditbefore
• Dissent(BrandeisJ.):o Thefactthataproductofthemindcosteffort,labour,andexpense,doesn’tautomaticallyconferthestatusof
property.Knowledgeandideasaregovernedbyopenaccess,meaningexclusionisn’tavailable• Ratio:
o ThreethingscontributetothedecisionthatAPhaspropertyinnews:1. Labourtheory–Locke2. Economicincentives–forthepublishersandtheconsumptionbypublic3. Institutionaldesign–whatistheappropriatemechanismfordecidingpropertyrights?
VictoriaParkRacingandRecreationGroundLtdvTaylor[1937](PropertyinaSpectacle)• Facts:thedefendantisaccusedofplacinganelevatedplatformonhisland,fromwhichitispossibletoseetheracetrack
andbroadcasttheraces.Theplaintiffwantstostopthisbroadcastingbecauseitpreventspeoplefromgoingtoraces• Issue:Hasquasi-propertybeencreatedthatlegallypreventsthedefendantfrombroadcastingonhisownland?• Reasons:
o A‘spectacle’can’tbeownedo Economicreasons:justbecauseyousufferafinanciallossbecausesomeonetakesyourbusinessdoesn’tmean
theydidanythingwrong(essenceofcompetition)o Youhavetobeabletoshowthatyouhavesomesortofprotectedinterestthatthedefendantinterferedwith
unlawfullyo Naturalrightsofapropertyownerdon’tincludefreedomfromvieworinspection
• Ratio:Nopropertyrightsinaspectacle,naturalrightsofapropertyownerdon’tincludefreedomfromvieworinspection
MoorevRegentsoftheUniversityofCalifornia[1990](PropertyintheHumanBody)• Facts:Plaintiffallegesthathisphysicianfailedtodisclosepre-existingresearchandeconomicinterestinhiscellsbefore
obtainingconsenttothemedicalprocedureswithwhichtheextractedthecells• Issue:Didtheplaintiffretainanownershipinterestintheexcisedcellsandmattersuchthathemayprosecutethe
defendantsforconversion?• MajorityReasons:
o Toestablishaconversiontheplaintiffmustestablishanactualinterferencewithhisownershiporrighttopossession
o BecauseMooredidnotexpecttoretainpossessionofhiscellsfollowingtheirremovalanddidnotretainanownershipinterestinthem,theclaimofconversionfails
o Statutorylawdrasticallylimitsapatient’scontroloverexercisedcellsandeliminatesrightsordinarilyattachedtoproperty
o TheCourtisconcernedwiththerightsofthepatient.However,conversionisastrictliabilitytortwhichsubjectsinnocentthirdpartiestoliabilityforactswhichmaynotbeundertheirdirectionandcontrol.Thecourtfoundthatthebreachoffiduciarydutytheoryandthelackofinformedconsenttheorywerebettersuitedtoprotecttherightsofpatients.Thus,theCourtdeclinedtoextendconversionliabilityinthistypeofsuit.
• Dissent(MoskJ.):concurringo Thelimitationpresentdiminishesthebundleofrightsthatwouldotherwiseattachtoproperty,butwhat
remainsisstillaprotectablepropertyinterest(propertycanbemodifiedandstillbeproperty)o ThePlaintiff’sbodyisuniqueandbaseduponethicalandequitableconcernsthePlaintiffshouldhaveaproprietary
interestinthecellsandtissueofhisbody• Conclusion:
o Sincethesecellsarethesameineverypersonandbecauseofthereachofthelegislation,thepatentedlineisbothfactuallyandlegallydistinctfromthecellstakenfromMoore’sbody
o Policyimplicationsalsoplayarole–thetortofconversioncouldcreateanobstacletocurrentandfuturemedicalresearch,andthisisbettersuitedtolegislation
• Ratio:o Noactionbasedonatheoryofconversionmaybeprosecutedwherethesubjectmatteroftheallegationare
excisedcellstakenfromPlaintiffinthecourseofamedicaltreatment;however,anactionmaybebasedontheoriesofbreachoffiduciarydutyorlackofinformedconsent
o Thelawofconversionrequiresyoutohaveeitherapossessoryoraproprietaryinterest–neitherhere
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o Courtchosenottoexpandthedoctrineofconversionforpolicyreasons–shouldbelegislatedContrastingINSvAPwithMoore
• Bothareeconomicconcerns• InINS,Pitneyisconcernedwithconsequencesofnotrecognizingenoughproperty.
o InMoore,PanelliisconcernedwithconsequencesofrecognizingtooMUCHproperty.• Pitneyisconcernedaboutleavinginformationinthecommons,thetragedyofthecommons.
o Panelliisconcernedwithexcludingtoomuchinformationfromthecommons,thetragedyoftheanti-commonsRestrictionsontheRecognitionofNewPropertyInterests• Principleofnumerousclausus(Merrill):conceptofpropertylawwhichlimitsthenumberoftypesofrightsthatthecourts
willacknowledgeashavingthecharacterofpropertyo Thismeans‘thenumberisclosed’anddecreasesflexibility,becausepropertyrightsarespecialrightsduetotheir
effectagainstthirdpartiesmeaningtheholderofapropertyrightisinamorepowerfulpositionthantheholderofapersonalright
o Thisisadeviceforminimizingtheeffectsofdurablepropertyinterestonthosedealingwithassetsinthefuture,andparticularlytheeffectsofexcessivefragmentationofinterestsor‘anticommons’
o Downsideislessflexibility• Policyjustificationsofnumerousclausus:
1) Measurement-costexternalities:a. Partieswhocreatenewpropertyrightswillnottakeintoaccountthefullmagnitudeofthemeasurementcosts
theyimposeonstrangerstothetitleb. Byallowingevenonepersontocreateanidiosyncraticpropertyright,theinformationprocessingcostsofall
personswhohaveexistingorpotentialinterestsinthistypeofpropertygoup2) Frustrationcosts:
a. Mandatoryrulessometimespreventthepartiesfromachievingalegitimategoalcost-effectivelyb. Standardizationactsasaformofprice-discrimination-partiesthatarewillingtopaymoreforanobjectivecan
achieveitbyincurringhigherplanningandimplementationcosts3) Optimalstandardization:
a. Thisissomewhereinbetweenmaximumstandardizationandthefreedomofcustomizationb. Bycreatingastrongpresumptionagainstjudicialrecognitionofnewformsofpropertyrights,thenumerous
claususimposesabrakeoneffortsbypartiestoproliferatenewformsofpropertyrights.Butpermittinglegislaturestocreatenewformsallowsforsomediversification
4) Informationcosts:a. Technologylowersinformationcostsanddiminishestheneedforstandardization
Anti-commonsandassemblyproblems(reallyitsabouttransactioncosts)
• Ifuseofgenesandpatentedprocessesrequiresconsent,canbemajorobstacletoresearch• Reallyabouttransactioncosts• Thecommonsoranti-commonsarenottheprobleminotherwords.Theproblemiscostoftradingpropertyrights.Thecost
ofaggregatingordisaggregatingpropertyrights
CHAPTER2:PROPERTYLAWINCONTEXT
ENGLISHCOMMONLAW• FeudalismtranspiredoutofthechaosofthedeclineoftheRomanEmpire.Peoplesoughtsecurity,foundinthepracticeof
commendation,bywhichpeopleplacedthemselvesundertheprotectionofamorepowerfulneighbourwheretheweakerbecamethe"vassal"andthestrongerbecamethe"lord"
• Kingappointedbaronsoverlargefiefdomsofland-theKingenfeoffedtothemastenantsincapite(inchief),andtheypledgedtheirmilitarysupportinexchangeforsecurityoftenureandotherprivileges
o AslongastheydidwhattheKingwanted,theyareguaranteedpossessionofthelandsgiventothem-landscalledtenements
o TenantsincapitepledgeacertainnumberofknightsfortheKing'sarmy
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• Commendationcreatedasituationwherethevassalnolongerownsthelandbut"holds"itfromthelord-thevassalhasbecomeatenant
• Vassalswereabletosubgranttheirownvassalportionsofthelandinaprocessknownas"subinfeudination"o Tenantsincapitefulfilledtheirfeudalobligationsbysubinfeudation
• Tenure:comesfromtheword“tohold”,meansthatyouarealandowner.ApersonwhoholdslandthatbelongstotheKing
isatenanto Feudalrelationship:theessenceoftenureisapersonalbondbetweenafeudalsuperiorandavassal,therightto
holdthelandofthekind(directly,orthroughafeudaloverlord)o Theonlymainsimilarityispossessoryrights(canpossesstheland,butnotsell)
• Tenurialservices(freetenure):tenuresweredefinedbytheperiodicobligationsofthetenant.Standardtenureswere:o Knightservice:obligationtoprovideknightso Socage:obligationtoprovidesomesortofproduceorothersourceofrevenue-fixednumberthatcouldn'tbe
changedo Frankalmoign:spiritualtenure,toprayfortheKingo Serjeanty:ceremonialtenures(grandandpetite)
• Unfreetenure:wastheburdenofvilleins(peasantserfs)tomakethelifeofthemanorpossibleo Theyhavenorightsinthecourtsoftheking;theironlyrightsaredeterminedbycustom.Workisnotfixedbut
ratherarbitrary• Incidentsoftenure:infrequentandoccasionalliabilitiesthatwouldbecomemoreimportantthanobligations
o Homageandfealty:processbywhichapersonbecomesavassalofasuperiorperson,symbolic,serviceofreverence.Owethesuperiorcompleteloyalty
o Escheat:therightofthefeudallordtohavethelandreverttohimifatenantdiedwithoutanheir§ Thesecurityoftenurewasinitiallyforthelifeofthetenureonly,andwhenthetenurepassedawayit
revertedbacktothemonarch(toprotecttheking)§ Thissystemdidn'tworkforanyonebecausewhowouldinvestinlandifafterthey'regoneitgoesbackto
theking§ BythetimeHenryIcametothethrone,itbecamethecustomthattherightfulheirwasallowedtoascend
tothetenementconditionalonpaymentofoneyear'srentoftheland(thisiscalledrelief)• Forfeiture:ifthetenantwasguiltyoftreason,thelandwasforfeitedandrevertedbacktothefeudalsuperior• Aids:specialleviesthatwerepayablewhenthefeudalsuperiorrequiredsomething• Relief:thetenant'srighttohavehisheirascendtothetenementuponpaymentofoneyear'srent• Wardshipandmarriage:wardshipwastherightofthelordtomanagethelandofthetenantwholeftanheirwhohadn't
reachedtheageofmajorityo Marriage:thelordhastheabsoluterighttochooseaspouseforthetenant'sheir,toguaranteealliances
• DeclineofEnglishfeudalism:thiswasduetosocialandeconomicdevelopments,andtheweightofthesystemo TenurialservicesbecameunsatisfactoryfortheKingashewantedaprofessionalarmy,soinsteadwantedmoneyo Thisledtotenantspayingrevenuetothekindinsteadofprovidingincidentsoftenure(beginstolookliketaxes)o Problemwasinflation,whichcreatedshortagesinrevenue
StatuteQuiaEmptores:
• Thisactprovidedthatnoonecouldtakeonnewtenantsoftheirownmeaningtheprocessofsubinfeudinationwasnowprohibited
o Beforethis,tenantswouldsubinfeudatetheirlandstoavoidtaxesbytakingnewtenantsandonlychargingthemsomethingtrivial,whichendsupcostingthekingalotofmoney(thisallowedthemtoavoidtheincidentsoftenure)
• Thisactallowsfreesubstitution,meaningthatlandbeginstobehavelikeanothercommodityonthemarketthatcanbeboughtandsold,whichhasatremendoussocialimpact
• Thedeclineinfeudalismmeansachangeinsocietyfromstatustocontract–meaningthatyouarelesslimitedbybirthcircumstances
• AsaconsequencealllandinEnglandcametobehelddirectlyoftheCrown• Certainpossessoryrightsbegantoexist,andthesellingofthebundleofpropertyrightstosomeoneelsewascreated
o ThecommonlawsystemdoesnotrecognizeownershipoflandbecauseitisallthepropertyoftheCrownContinuationofFeudalIdeas
• ThedoctrineoftenureremainsthefoundationofAlbertapropertylaw• Allland(exceptlandheldbyAboriginalTitle)istechnicallyheldbytheCrown,freefromanyservicesorincidents,except
escheat
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o TheUnclaimedInvestedPropertyActsaysthatwhenapersondiesinAlbertawithoutanheir,will,orrelatives,thelandofthatpersonvestsintheCrownandtherightofAlberta(escheat)
• Thedurationoftenureisdefinedbythedoctrineofestateso Thelongesttenureyoucanenjoyisanestateinfeelsimpleo Feesimpleisanabstractionofowningtheland(becausetheCrownownsit)
ReceptionofEnglishLaw
• AlbertawasregardedassettledandthesettlersweredeemedtohavecarriedEnglishlawwiththemo InotherpartsofCanadaEnglishlawwasimportedthroughsettlement,conquest,orcession
• EnglishlawautomaticallypartofthelawinAlberta–statutesaysthatthedateofreceptionwas1870o Caveats:thelawshallbeenforcedsofarasitisapplicable,andsofarastheyhavenotbeenmodifiedbyavalid
pieceoflegislation• Thispatternofadherenceexistsbecause:
1) Thereceptionofagivenruleusedbecausetheabsenceofadoptionwouldcreateuncertainty–moreconvenienttousethisthantoreinvent
2) Credibility:Englishlandlawseenasrepresentingtheapotheosisofjustice,andthiscommonlawwasseenastheencodingprinciplesofjusticeandarepositoryofcenturiesofcollectedwisdom
a. Althoughthiswasn’tpursuedatallcosts,shownbythefactthatofteninconqueredcoloniesthecolony’slawswereused
CLASSIFICATIONOFPROPERTYINTERESTS
• Realproperty:permanent,non-moveablepropertyo Example:landandbuildings
• Incorporealproperty:can’tbeseenorhandled,onlyexistsincontemplationo Example:theannualrentpayableforahouse
• Corporealproperty:canbeseenandhandledo Example:ahouse
• Personalproperty:Thebelongingsofanindividual,excludinganyrealestatepropertyorotherbuildings o Example:tangibleandintangibleassetsofanindividual.
• ChattelsPersonal:movablethingswhichmaybeannexedtoorattendantonthepersonoftheowner,andcarriedaboutwithhimfromonepartoftheworldtoanother
• ChattelsReal:anothernameforalease,lookslikearightinlandandisessentiallythato Writofejectment:allowedatenanttorecoverpossessionoflandagainstatrespasser
• ChosesinPossession:tangiblegoodsyoucanhold• ChosesinAction:proprietaryintereststhatcanonlybeenforcedbythecourt
o Example:therighttoenforceadebt• Leases:aconveyanceoflandsortenementstoapersonforlife,foratermofyears,atwill,inconsiderationofareturnof
rentorsomeotherrecompense
GOVERNMENTINTERVENTIONANDPROTECTIONOFPROPERTYRIGHTSGovernmentIntervention
• Firstthingtoask:underwhatauthoritydidthegovernmentact,orpurportedlyact,whenitinterferedwithpropertyrights?o Theruleisthatthereisnolongeraroyalprerogativeoverproperty,thereforeanyinterventionbythegovernment
mustbeauthorizedbyastatuteo Ifagovernmentactsoutsideitsauthorityitisultravires
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• Divisionoflegislativepowersforproperty:o Federalpower:POGG,tradeandcommerce(s.92(2)),banking,interest,patents,trademarksandcopyrights(s.
91(22-23)),landreservedforIndianso Provincialpower:propertyandcivilrights(s.92(13)),provincialpubliclandsandtimber,localworksand
undertakings,mattersofamerelyprivate/localnature,municipalinstitutionsintheprovince
Examplesofprovinciallysanctionedinterventions:
MunicipalGovernmentAct,s.640(1)• Alandusebylawmayprohibitorregulateandcontroltheuseanddevelopmentoflandandbuildingsina
municipality
HyrdroandElectricAct• AuthoritytoexpropriateunderthisAct
AlbertaExpropriationActs.2(1)• AppliestoanyexpropriationauthorizedbythelawofAlberta,showshowmuchtocompensateifthegovernment
expropriates
Propertyrulesvs.liabilityruleso Propertyrulesconsistofthosethatentitletheclaimanttoaninjunctiono Liabilityrulesentitletheclaimanttodamageso Thedistinctionbetweenthemisimportantbecauseinjunctionsanddamageshavedifferenteffectsonfuture
behaviourandonnegotiatedsettlementstoclaimsLimitstoLegislativePoweroverPrivateProperty
• ThereisnoprovisionintheConstitutiondefendingpropertyexceptforprotectionagainststateinterferencewithAboriginalrights
o Section8“righttobesecureagainstunreasonablesearchandseizure”istheclosest• NoexpressprotectionagainststateconfiscationintheCharter.Thiswasnotanoversightbutaresultofpoliticalinterests
o SomeCharterrightshavebeeneffectiveinprotectingarangeofcommercialinterests,liketheguaranteeoffreedomofexpressionclausetoundoregulationsaffectingcommercialadvertising
• CanadianBillofRights(1960):stillinforce,butmanyoftherightsaremorerobustlyprotectedbytheChartero PrimesignificancetodayrelatestopropertyrightsbecausetheBillrecognizesarighttotheenjoymentofproperty,
andtherightnottobedeprivedthereofexceptbydueprocessoflaw(notthatitwon’teverbetakenaway)o TheBillappliesonlyfederallybutseveralprovinceshavecomparablelegislationo AlbertaBillofRights:Section1(a)givestherightoftheindividualtoliberty,securityofthepersonandenjoyment
ofproperty,andtherightnottobedeprivedthereofexceptbydueprocessoflawo AlbertaPersonalPropertyBillofRights
§ Principlelimit:maybeoverriddenbyexpresslegislativeaction§ Section2:onlyprotectspersonalproperty,meaningthatsomethinglikealeaseisnotprotectedbythis§ Section4:everystatutewillbeinterpretedagainstthestateandinfavourofthepropertyowner,unless
anActexpresslydeclaresthattheenactmentoperatednotwithstandingtheBillofRights§ Thisisnotarealobstaclewhenthegovernmentwantstotakepersonalpropertyaway
EXPROPRIATION
• Expropriationistheoutrighttakingofprivatelandforpublicpurposes.Thismaytriggerarighttocompensationin
accordancewiththeprovincialExpropriationActo Ifthegovernmentregulatesprivatepropertybutdoesn’tacquirethelanditself,thereisrarelyarightto
compensationeveniftherestrictionsareverysevereorresultinadrasticlossofvalue• Variousprovincialenactmentsauthorizeexpropriation,includingtheMunicipalGovernmentActandtheHydroand
ElectricEnergyAct
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• Notallmeasuresgiverisetocompensation–compensationgenerallyinvolvesacasespecific,oradhocinquirythattakesarangeoffactorsintoaccount.Itisgenerallynotenoughtoshowthattheimpugnedmeasureisnotofuniversalapplication
• Caseforexpropriation:1) TheCrownhastitle2) The“needsofmany”3) Expedienceandtheassembly/holdoutproblem
• Casesforcompensationforinterferencewithproperty:1) Equitycaseforcompensation:ifthereisapublicinterestintheproject,thenthecostshouldbebornebytheproject
a. Theburdenshouldn’tbeplacedononeindividualforthebenefitofall2) Economicefficiency:
a. Incentivesoflandownertoinvest:ifnocompensation,thennoincentivetoinvestintheproperty(Hobbesideathatnoonewouldcultivatethelandifitcouldbeeasilytakenaway)
b. Incentivesofpublicagency:ensuresthatgoodsmovefromoneownertoanotherwhenthebuyersevaluationishigherthanthesellers.
i. Thecostofthetakingisarealsocialcost,soforcingcompensationtobepaidensuresthattheyonlytakeprojectsthatareworthwhile
3) Practicality:somegrievancesaremorecompensablethanothers
ProcessofExpropriation• Whenanexpropriatingauthoritydecidestoacquireprivateland,itmustfirstnotifyeverypersonwhohasaninterestinthe
landitintendstotakeo TheExpropriationActspecifiestheinformationthatmustbeincludedinthenoticeofintentiono Thenoticeofintentionmustbegiveneitherinpersonorbyregisteredmail,andpublishedatleasttwiceinalocal
newspaper• Oncethenoticeofintentionhasbeengiven,interestedpersonsmayfilea“noticeofobjection”totheproposed
expropriation.Theymayquestionwhetherthetakingisfair,soundandreasonablynecessarytoachievetheobjectivesoftheexpropriatingauthority
o E.g.anownermightarguethatarightofwaythroughhisorherlandshouldbenarrowerthantheexpropriatingauthoritydemanded
o Theymaynotdisputetherightoftheexpropriatingauthoritytoresorttoexpropriation,orobjecttotheprojectitself:adecisiontoconstructanewhighway,school,orhospitalispoliticalinnature,andisnotforacourttodecide
CommonLawPropertyRights• Therighttocompensationdoesnotexistatcommonlaw.Itmustbefoundinstatute• Thisisbecausethegovernment’spowertointerferewithyourpropertyrightsisderivedfromstatutoryauthority-this
comesfromSisterofCharityofRockinghamvRo “Compensationclaimsarestatutoryanddependonstatutoryprovisions.Noowneroflandsexpropriatedby
statuteforpublicpurposesisentitledtocompensation,eitherforthevalueofthelandtaken,orfordamageonthegroundthathislandisinjuriouslyaffected,unlesshecanestablishastatutoryright.”
PrinciplesofCompensation• Wherelandisexpropriated,thecompensationtotheownerisbasedonthemarketvalueofthelandand,dependingonthe
circumstances,damagesfordisturbanceandforinjuriousaffection(devaluationoftheowner’sremainingland,whereonlypartofhisorherlandistaken),andthevalueofanyspecialeconomicadvantagethattheownerenjoyedbecauseofoccupyingtheland
• Thepurposeofcompensationistomaketheowner,asmuchaspossible,“whole”• TheExpropriationActsetsoutadditionalguidelinesforassessingcompensationforspecialpurposestructuresandfor
compensatingbusinessowners,tenants,andholdersofsecurityinterestso Alsosetsoutvariousfactorsthatmustbedisregardedwhendeterminingcompensation,suchasthefactthatthe
expropriationwascompulsory,howthelandwillbeusedbytheexpropriatingauthority,andanychangesinthevalueofthelandthatareconnectedwiththeexpropriationproceedings.
ExpropriationActofAlberta:
• S.2–ifexpropriationoflandoccurs,compensationmustbepaid• 2(1)ThisactappliestoanyexpropriationauthorizedbythelawofAlberta• 42(1)Whenlandisexpropriated,theexpropriatingauthorityshallpaytheownerthecompensationasisdeterminedin
accordancewiththisact
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• (Landtakenisguaranteedcompensationthatisdeterminedbytheact)SurfaceRightsActofAlberta:
• S.15(1)ifoperatorcan’tacquiretherights,thesurfacerightsboardcangrantarightofentrybutboardwilldeterminethecompensationpayabletotheownerunders.23(Takingofaneasement,righttoexclude)
HydroandElectricEnergyAct:
• S.37-iftransmissionlineextends/intrudesoveryourland,nocompensationisallowed.• Similarlyamountstoaneasement,butnotcompensablehere.ViolaterightsinUSAbutwedon’thave.
MinesandMineralsAct,s15.1(porespace)
• PorespaceisvestedintheCrown• Confiscatesprivatepropertyandspecificallystatesthatthereisnocompensationtobehad• Also,notevenataking
Takeaways:
• Gov’ttakesland,itiscompensable• Governmenttakesyourporespace,notataking,notcompensable• Oilcompanygrantedrightofwayoveryourland,itiscompensableeasement• Electriccompanyintrudesintoyourairspace,notacompensabletaking
AGvDeKeyser’sRoyalHotel• Facts:Theclaimants,DeKeyser’sRoyalHotel,weretheownersofaLondonHotelthathadbeenusedbysomemembersof
thearmedforcesinWorldWarOne,andtheysoughtreasonablecompensationforthisoccupationundertheDefenceAct1842.Thedefendants,theGovernment,attemptedtorejectthisclaim,assertingthattheirdutytodefendtherealm,asperprerogativepowersandtheDefenceoftheRealmAct1914,meanttheyhadnoobligationtocompensatetheclaimants.
• Issues:Doesthegovernment’sprerogativepowersauthorizethemtoevadestatutoryresponsibility?• Reasons:TheroyalprerogativedoesnotentitletheCrowntotakepossessionofasubject'slandorbuildingsfor
administrativepurposesconnectedwiththedefenceoftherealmwithoutpayingcompensation.Itistheauthorityforthestatementthattheroyalprerogativeisplacedinabeyance(isnotused)whenstatutelawcanprovidealegalbasisforanaction
• Rule:o Astatutecanimplicitlyconferarighttocompensationo Ifastatuteauthorizesexpropriation,thereisanassumedrighttocompensationunlessthestatureexplicitly
statesthereisnocompensation
ManitobaFisheriesLtdvR• Facts:ManitobaFisherieshasafishingcontracttoprocessesfishandexportthemtotheUS.Thegov'twantstonationalize
theexportoffreshwaterfishtotheUSandsopassastatutesayingthataCrowncorporationisestablished,andallfreshwaterfishexportwillbedonebytheCrowncorporation(theyhaveanexclusiveright).TheeffectistoputManitobaFisheriesoutofbusinessovernight.Thestatutesaysthatparticipatingprovincesmaypassregulationstocompensatethebusinessesnegativelyaffected
• Issue:didthefederallegislationtakeawaytheplaintiff’sproperty?• Reasons:theSCCfindsthatbusinessgoodwillthatManitobaFisheriesbuiltisanintangiblepropertycapableofbeingsold
andprotected.ThegoodwillisnowvestedintheCrowncorporationbecausetheyarethenowtheonlyoneswhocandobusiness
o Courtsaysthatgiventhatthereisnoprovisiontocompensate,andnoprovisionnottocompensate,theyweregoingtoinvoketheruleinKeyersRoyalHotel-animpliedrighttocompensation
• Ratio:o RighttocompensationbasedonKeyser’s–goodwillisaproprietaryinterest–thisiscompensationforaregulatory
takingo Kaplinskysaysthisisprobablywronglydecided
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BritishColumbiavTener• Facts:TeneracquiredcertainmineralrightsinBritishColumbia.Hewantedtoworkthematerials,butthegovernment
wantedtohaveaprovincialparkwherethosemineralswerelocated.BCministrysaidTenorwillneverbeabletoworkwiththoseminerals,sohesued
• Reasons:o SCCisconfrontedwithasituationdifferentfromManitobaFisheries–itwasabletosayinthatcasethatthe
Crowncorporationtookthebusinessgoodwillthatbelongedtothecompany,buthereitdoesn’tappearasifanythingwastaken,justhavetheobstructionofaccess
o TheprincipleinKeyser’sisinvoked,soTenorgetscompensationformineralrights• ThiscaseandManitobaFisheriesarerareexamplesoftheSCCfindingarighttocompensationimpliedinstatutebasedon
theconstructioninKeyser’s,havingfoundthatthegovernmenttookpropertyfromtheplaintiff
REGULATORYTAKINGSANDDEFACTOEXPROPRIATION
• Focushereonequityandefficiency–equityasmoreofagreyzone,efficiencyasgenerallyalwaysfavoured• DifferencebetweenUSandCanada:FifthAmendment,statesthatprivatepropertycannotbetakenforpublicusewithout
justcompensation• IntheUnitedStatesthelawrecognizesacompensable“regulatorytaking”wheretheregulationsstripthelandofall
economicvalue,orforcetheownertosufferaphysicalintrusionintotheland,oraresaidsimplytogo“toofar”• ThisisnotthelawinCanada.Instead,theprinciplethattherighttocompensationmustbebasedinstatutemeansthatan
ownerisnotentitledtocompensationunlesstherestrictionsoftheowner’srightsaresodrasticthattheyshouldproperlyberegardedasaneffectivetakingofthelandwithinthemeaningoftheExpropriationAct.Thisisknownas“defacto”or“constructive”takingofland
• ThetraditionalviewinCanadahasbeenthatthereisnoexpropriationunlessthegovernmentacquiresthetitletothelandfromitsowner.TheSupremeCourtreiteratedthisviewinits2006decisioninCanadianPacificRailwayCo.vVancouver(City).Inthatcaseitheldthatadefactotakingrequiresfirst:
o “Anacquisitionofabeneficialinterestinthepropertyorflowingfromit”,andsecond,“removalofallreasonableusesoftheproperty”
o Thedecisionleavesthelawuncertainastowhetherownersmustbecompensatedforadefactotaking.Thedoormaybeopen,intheory,forsuccessfulclaimsinthefuture,butthethresholdisveryhighandwillnotbemetintheordinarycase
Regulatorytakingsdoctrine:
• Thebasicapproachinregulatorytakingsdoctrineisknownasthe“PennCentralInquiry”(amixtureoffactorsfrombothMahonandPennCentral).
• Thisapproachisanadhoc,factualinquirythataskswhetherthepropertyparcelasawholeisimpactednegativelybytheregulationinanextraordinaryway,suchthatittakestheregulationoutofthepolicepowerdomainandwithinthepurviewoftheprotectionsandlimitationsoftheFifthAmendment
• Threegeneralfactorsusedbythecourtsintheirbalancingapproach(PennCentralInquiry):1) Economiceffectofregulationonproperty
a. Determiningtheeconomicvaluelostunderaregulationmustcomprisethepropertyasawhole2) Characterofgovernmentregulation
a. Isthisarun-of-the-millpolicepowerregulationorisitadramaticandunexpectedactofthegovernmentthataffectspropertyinsuchasubstantialwaythatitconstitutesatakingofthatproperty?
3) Extenttowhichregulationinterfereswithdistinct,investment-backedexpectationsa. Thisassesseswhethertheexpecteduseofthepropertythathasbeenrestrictedbytheregulationhaslong
beenastickinthebundlethatthelawhassecuredtothepropertyownerb. Wasitreasonableforthelandownertoexpecttocontinueusingthepropertyinthewaythatitisnow
prohibitedundertheregulation,anddidthelandownerobjectivelyevidencethisreasonableexpectationbyinvestinginthepropertyaccordingly?
AdHocRegulatoryTakings:Regulationthathasgonesofarithasbecomeataking(onlyintheUS)
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PennsylvaniaCoalCovMahon• Facts:thecitypassedanordinancerestrictingminingunderpeople’shomes• Reasons:
o Ifyouownthesurface,atcommonlawyouhaverightofsupports.Thismeansthatanyonewhohasaninterestbelowthegroundcan’ttakeactionifitwouldharmyou,orelseyouwouldgetdamages
o Inthiscaseallofthelandisinitiallyownedbythecoalcompany,whichsellspeoplethesurfaceandairspacerightsandreservesthesubsurfaceandmineralrightsforitself.Theyexplicitlystatedthatthebuyersdonothavetherightofsupports
o TheKohlerActstatedthatacoalcompanyhastoreserveenoughcoalunderneathtopreventsubsidence,andwhentheydon’ttheyarerequiredtopaydamages
§ Theeffectofthisacttookthesupportrightsthatwerereservedbythecompany,andgavethemtothesurfaceowners
§ Arguedthatthisregulationhastheeffectofataking–ifthisisaccuratethenitissubjecttotheFifthAmendment‘
• Holding:Thisisseenasataking.TheKohlerActwasnotalegitimateexerciseofpolicepower,ratherwasanunconstitutionaltakingofdefendant’spropertyrightsbecausenocompensationwasgiven
• Ratio:Thegeneralruleisthatwhilepropertymayberegulatedtoacertainextent,ifregulationgoestoofaritwillberecognizedasataking(USONLY)
PennCentralTransportationCovNewYorkCity• Facts:Ownerswantedtobuildontheirlandbutthecitydesignateditasaconservationarea.Theyargueditwasatakingof
theirproperty• Reasons:
o Weneedtolookateachcaseonanadhocbasistoseeifatakinghasoccurred.Wedothisbylookingat:(teststatedabove)
1) Theextentoftheharm2) Whetherregulationinterfereswithinvestment-backedplans3) Natureofstateaction
PerSeTakings:whereastatedoessomethingsothattheyautomaticallyhavetocompensate
LucasvSouthCarolinaCoastalCouncil• Facts:ThePetitionerpurchasedtwobeachfrontlotsfor$975,000in1986.Heintendedtobuildsingle-familyhomesoneach
lot.In1988theSouthCarolinalegislaturepassedtheBeachfrontManagementActthatbarredthebuilding.TheAct’sstatedpurposewastoprotectpropertyfromstorms,tidesandbeacherosionandasanenvironmentalprotection.ThePetitionerdidnotchallengethestate’srighttopasstheActoritsjustificationsfordoingso.ThePetitionerdidclaimsthatthepassageoftheActresultedinatakingofthepropertysincehecannotuseitfortheintendedpurpose.
• Issue:Doestheno-buildregulationresultinacompensabletaking?• Holding:Yes.Itisunreasonableforastatetoprohibittheownerfromusingthelandasheoriginallyintended,unlessitcan
beshownthatthisuseresultsinanuisanceorthatgeneralpropertylawprohibitssuchause• TheSCobservedthatmandatedpreservationofprivatelandlookslikeaconversionofprivatepropertytopublic,a
classictaking.Regulationoflandusemustaccountforowners’traditionalunderstandingastothestatespowerovertheirpropertyrights.
• Ratio:Ifaregulationprohibitsalleconomicallybeneficialuseoflandandtheproscribedusecouldnothavebeenprohibitedunderagivenstate’snuisancelaw,theregulationisa“taking”whichrequires“justcompensation”tobepaidtothelandowner
LorettovTeleprompterManhattanVATVCorp• Facts:Alawwaspassedthatallowedacablecompanytoaccessallproperty.Lorettodidnotwanttoallowthis• Reasons:Thislawisataking.Ifitdeprivesyouoftherighttoexcludethenitisatakingperse(meanswedon’tneedtodo
adhocinquiry,itisfactuallycompensable)
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MarinerRealEstateLtdvNovaScotia• Facts:Topreservethebeachanddunesystemasanenvironmentalandrecreationalresource,theprovinceofNSenacted
theBeachesAct,whichregulatestheuseofpublicandprivatebeaches.Anydevelopmentisprohibitedunlessauthorizationisobtained.Therespondentsappliedforauthorizationtodeveloptheirlandandweredenied.TheysoughtadeclarationthattheirlandshadbeendefactoexpropriatedbyvirtueoftheAct.TrialjudgeheldthattheyhadbeendeprivedoflandwithinthemeaningoftheExpropriationAct
• Reasons:o CanadiancourtsdonothavebroadmandatessimilartothoseintheUSo HerethetaskistodeterminewhetherregulationentitlesrespondentstocompensationundertheExpropriation
Act• Ratio:Establishestherequirementsforadefacto/constructivetakingatcommonlaw:
1) Anacquisitionofabeneficialinterestinthepropertyorflowingfromit§ Notnecessarytoestablishaforcedtransferofproperty,acquisitionofbeneficialinteresttothe
propertysuffices2) Theremovalofallreasonableusesofproperty–declineinvalueofland,evenwhendrastic,isnotlossof
interestinland§ Therequirementmustbeassessednotonlyinrelationtotheland’spotentialhighestandbestuse,
buthavingregardtothenatureofthelandandtherangeofreasonableusestowhichithasactuallybeenput
• InCanada,therighttocompensationmustbefoundinstatute• Useanancillarytest:
1) Whetherregulationissufficientlyseveretoremoveallrightsassociatedwiththepropertyholder—WasMarinerrealestatedeprivedofallitsuses?No:
§ Notexcludedfromproperty§ Couldstillexcludeothers§ Couldcamponit.§ Theonlythingtheycouldnotdoisbuildanythingofvalue
CanadianPacificRailwayCovVancouver• Facts:TheCPRwasgrantedastretchoflandoriginallyintendedforarailway.Astimepassedthelandwasnotusedforthis
purposeanymoreandurbandevelopmentsprangup.TheCPRputforwardproposalstodevelopthecorridorandindicatedthatiftheCityofanypublicbodywantedtoacquirethelanditwaswillingtosell.TheCitymadeclearthatitwouldnotbuythatlandandadoptedtheArbutusCorridorPlanBy-law.TheeffectofthisbylawwastofreezetheredevelopmentpotentialofthecorridorandtoconfineCPRtouneconomicusesoftheland
o CPRarguesthereisapresumptionthatthelegislatureintendedanytakingofpropertytobecompensated,andarguesthatbylimitingusethereisaneffectivetakingoftheland
• Reasons:o CPRhasnotsucceededinshowingthatthecityhasacquiredabeneficialinterestrelatingtotheland(itisnot
necessarytoestablishaforcedtransferofproperty,acquisitionofbeneficialinteresttothepropertysuffices)o Thebylawdoesnotremoveallreasonableusesofproperty/preventthemfromoperatingarailwayo Thelegislationspecificallystatesthattherewon’tbeanycompensation
• Holding:Thereisnotaking.Infavourofthedefendants• Ratio:Thereisnoexpropriationunlessthegovernmentacquiresthetitletothelandfromitsowner.Adefactotaking
requiresfirst,“anacquisitionofabeneficialinterestinthepropertyorflowingfromit”,andsecond,“removalofallreasonableusesoftheproperty”
o Thedecisionleavesthelawuncertainastowhetherownersmustbecompensatedforadefactotaking.Thedoormaybeopen,intheory,forsuccessfulclaimsinthefuture,butthethresholdisveryhighandwillnotbemetintheordinarycase–veryhighthreshold
o Showsthatcourtswillcontinuetoplayarelativelysmallroleinbalancingtheinterestsofprivatepropertyownersandpublicauthorities
EXPROPRIATIONPROVISIONSINFREETRADEANDINTERNATIONALINVESTMENTAGREEMENTSNAFTA,Article1110:ExpropriationandCompensation1. NoPartymaydirectlyorindirectlynationalizeorexpropriateaninvestmentofaninvestorofanotherPartyinitsterritoryor
takeameasuretantamounttonationalizationorexpropriationofsuchaninvestment("expropriation"),except:
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a) forapublicpurpose;b) onanon-discriminatorybasis;c) inaccordancewithdueprocessoflawandArticle1105(1);andd) onpaymentofcompensationinaccordancewithparagraphs2through6.
2. Compensationshallbeequivalenttothefairmarketvalueoftheexpropriatedinvestmentimmediatelybeforetheexpropriationtookplace("dateofexpropriation")
TAKEAWAYS:• ThesereadliketheUSConstitutionoftheStates,
a. Nopropertyshallbetakenwithoutcompensation• Thesehavequasi-constitutionalstatus–cannotbebypassedthroughunilateralCanadianaction• ForeigninvestorshaveprotectionlikeprotectionundertheUSConstitutionAnnexB.13
a) IndirectexpropriationresultsfromameasureorseriesofmeasuresofaPartythathaveaneffectequivalenttodirectexpropriationwithoutformaltransferoftitleoroutrightseizure;
b) ThedeterminationofwhetherameasureorseriesofmeasuresofaPartyconstituteanindirectexpropriationrequiresacase-by-case,fact-basedinquirythatconsiders,amongotherfactors:(PennCentralTest)
i. Theeconomicimpactofthemeasureorseriesofmeasures,althoughthesolefactthatameasureorseriesofmeasuresofaPartyhasanadverseeffectontheeconomicvalueofaninvestmentdoesnotestablishthatanindirectexpropriationhasoccurred;
ii. Theextenttowhichthemeasureorseriesofmeasuresinterferewithdistinct,reasonableinvestment-backedexpectations;and
iii. Thecharacterofthemeasureorseriesofmeasures;c) Exceptinrarecircumstances,suchaswhenameasureorseriesofmeasuresaresosevereinthelightoftheirpurposethat
theycannotbereasonablyviewedashavingbeenadoptedandappliedingoodfaith,non-discriminatorymeasuresofaPartythataredesignedandappliedtoprotectlegitimatepublicwelfareobjectives,suchashealth,safetyandtheenvironment,donotconstituteindirectexpropriation.
TAKEAWAYS:
• Anindirectexpropriationisprotectedlikeadirectexpropriation• SoundslikeadhocanalysisfromUSRegulatoryTakings:
o Extentofdiminution–economicimpacto Whethertheregulationinterferedwithinvestmentbackedexpectationo Thenatureofthestateaction–charterofthemeasure
• CanadaisgivingmoreprotectiontoforeigninvestorsthenCanadians
Chapter3:TheBoundariesofProperty
PROPERTY,POVERTY,ANDTHERIGHTTOEXCLUDE• Onefunctionofpropertyistoprovideabasisforwhoisallowedtobewhere• Problemofhomelesspeoplehavingnoprivateplace–theideaofalllandinasocietybeingheldasprivatepropertywould
becatastrophicforhomelesspeople• Thecurrentemergenceofincreasingregulationofpublicplacestorestricttheactivitiesthatcanbeperformedthere(e.g.
sleepingonstreets)canhaveconsequences• RCEllicksonsuggeststhattheproblemofstreetorderisaproblemoflandmanagementandsuggeststhatcity’scodesof
conductshouldbeallowedtovaryspatially(systemofzoningwithred,yellow,andgreenzones,basedonthetragedyofthecommons)
• Waldronpositsthatindividualswhohavenoprivatespacetoguaranteelifesustainingactivitieshavetodotheseactivitiesinpublic,andsocietymusttakethisintoconsideration
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Victoria(City)vAdams[2008]• Facts:Respondents,alongwithothers,hadsetupatentcityinapublicpark.Citysentthemanotetovacatebasedonthe
ParksRegulationBylawandtheStreetsandTrafficBylawofVictoria.Thesebylawsprohibiterectingatemporaryshelteronpublicproperty
• Issue:Doestheprohibitioninfringetherightsofhomelesspeopletolife,liberty,andthesecurityofthepersonnotinaccordancewiththeprinciplesoffundamentaljustice?
o Theissueoftherighttocampinpublicspacesinthesenseofarighttosetupasemi-permanentcampisnotbeforethecourt-theissuehereistheprohibitiononerectingevenatemporarysheltertakendowninthemorning
• Reasoning:o Cityclaimsthattherighttocamponpropertyrightsmakestheclaimaboutpropertyrights,andthatproperty
rightsdonotfallwithinthescopeofs.7o Theuseofaparkspacebyanindividualdoesnotnecessarilyinvolveadeprivationofanotherperson'sabilityto
utilizethesame"resource"o Defendantsarenotassertingapropertyright-don'twanttohaveanyoneexcludedordeterminetheuseofany
cityproperty-essentiallywhattheyareseekingdoesnotamounttoanexpropriationofpublicproperty,simplysayingthatthecitycannotmanageitsownpropertyinamannerthatinterfereswiththeirabilitytokeepthemselvessafeandwarm
o Effectoftheprohibitionistoimposesignificantandpotentiallysevereadditionalhealthrisks• Holding:Heldfortherespondents.Theinfringementisnotjustifiedpursuanttos.1oftheCharter.Theprohibitionon
takingatemporaryabodecontainedinthebylawsconstitutesaninterferencewithsection7• Ratio:
o Notapropertyright,butarighttobefreeofastate-imposedprohibitionontheactivityofcreatingorutilizingshelter
o WithouttheCharter,likelythatthecitywouldhavebeenabletoexclude§ BUTcityownsparksintrustforpeople,notlikeprivateproperty–citycannotexclude
DwyervStaunton• Facts:Thepublicroadwasblockedbysnow.Acitybulldozerhadclearedthepathasmuchasnecessarybuthadtogoonto
aprivatepropertytomaintaintheroad.Thedefendantwasstoppedbytheplaintifffordrivinghistruckacrosstheland• Issue:Canprivatepropertybeusedforpublicpurposesintimesofnecessity?• Reasons:Youcannotexcludealawfultravellerwhoneedstogothroughpropertybyanecessarycause.Publicneedis
prioritizedoverprivateproperty• Ratio:Atravellerwhoislawfullyusingapublicroadhastherighttogouponprivatelandsatplaceswherethepublicwayis
impassable,due,forexampletosnowandice.Musttakecasenottocauseanyunnecessarydamageo Thisshowsanotherlimitationonboundariesandtherighttoexclude
FontainebleauHotelv4525Inc• Facts:TherespondentsownedthehotelEdenRoc,andtheappellantsownedthehotelFontainebleau.Therespondentwas
seekinganinjunctionsoastostoptheappellantfromcontinuinganadditiontotheirhotelthatwouldconsequentlyblockthesunfromtheirpoolandsunbathingareas.Intheinferiorcourtthejudgehadgrantedatemporaryinjunctioninfavouroftheplaintiffunderthemaximsicuteretuoutalienumnonlaedas
o Thismaximmeansuseyourownpropertyinsuchamannerasnottoinjurethatofanother• Reasons:
o Theappellatecourtheldthatapropertyownermayputhisownpropertytoanyreasonableandlawfuluse,solongashedoesnottherebydeprivetheadjoininglandownerofanyrightofenjoymentofhispropertywhichisrecognizedandprotectedbylaw,andsolongashisuseisnotsomethingthatthelawwilldeterminetobeanuisance
o Thecourtdeterminedthattherespondentdidnothavelegalrighttothefreeflowoflightandairacrosstheadjoininglandofhisneighbour
o Thecourtdistinguishedbetweenapropertyusethatinjuresone'sneighbour,andonethatinjurestherightsofone'sneighbour
o Ifcommonlawdoesnotofferyouaremedy,itmustmeanthatyouhavenoright• Holding:Courtreversedthetemporaryinjunctiongrantedbytheinferiorcourtanddismissedthecomplaint
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• Ratio:Alandownerdoesnothavealegalrighttothefreeflowoflightandairacrosstheadjoininglandofhisneighbour.Therighttohaveone’sviewremainunobstructedcannotbecreatedbyimplication;otherwise,propertydevelopmentwouldbehindered
Note:LimitsontheRighttoExclude
• Statutory:AlbertaHumanRightsActs.4and5o Apersoncannotexcludeanotherpersononthebasisofcertainprotectedcategories(ethnicity,religiousbeliefs,
etc.)ifthepropertyrightsareopentothepublic
LANDANDWATERBOUNDARIES
• TheLatinmaximthatwhoeverownsthesoil,holdstitleallthewayuptotheheavensanddowntothedepthsoftheeartho Thecourtshaveresistedapplyingthisliterallyo Cujusestsolummaybeausefulpointofdepartureinexaminingthescopeofownershiprights,butitissoladen
withqualificationsthatitisbestregardedasa“fancifulphrase”andan“imperfectguide”• Wehavethesebecausetheremustbeawaytoestablishanddecidethephysicalboundariesoftheproperty–especiallyif
sellingtheproperty• Aboundaryisanimaginarylinedrawntomarktheperimeterofaproperty.Thelocationmustbedescribedinaconveyance
documentcalledthelegaldescriptiono Thelegaldescriptionisnotalwayscontrollingo Itmaybeambiguous(nointernalcoherence),soextrinsicevidencemayaidindeterminingwhatwasmeanto Whentheintentionremainsunclear,itcanberesolvedbyfavouringonedescriptiveelementoveranother(usually
givethemosteffecttothosethingswhichareleastliabletomistakes–sothehighestregardisnaturalboundaries)
o Ambiguityisresolvedbyusingthenaturalmonumentanddisregardingthestatementofdistance• Rankingindescendingorderofimportanceoftheelementsusedinambiguouslegaldescriptions:
o Naturalmonumentso Linesactuallyrunandcornersactuallymarkedatthetimeofthegrant(e.g.artificialmonuments)o Abuttingestablishedboundariesifreferredtointhegrant(e.g.fences)o Coursesanddistances(measurementsinplan/metesandboundsdescription)
• Whenboundariesarenotagreedupon,theconventionallinedoctrinecanbeused(RobertsonvWallace)o Thoseportionsoftheboundarymarkedonthegroundbysurveymonumentsandshownonthemapsheetsbya
seriesofstraightlinesconnectingthesurveymonuments• Metesandbounds:Referstothenaturalmonumentsorfeaturesoftheland.Theseboundariesarenamedinthedeedand
neededtotracebacktheoriginsofthelando Example:treetowardstheboulderbythelake,etc.
• Certificateoftitlebyreferencetoacadastre:Canconveylandbyreferencetothatrecordinthecadastre(acomprehensivelandrecordingoftherealestateorrealproperty'smetes-and-bounds).Usuallyareferencetosomecentralplanorgeographiccoordinates
o Example:theLandTitlesAct • DominionLandSurvey1870:Partofthegovernment’seffortstosettleWesternCanada.Inordertobesold,thelandwas
carvedupintoparcels.Thissurveycovered800000squarekilometerslaidoutinagrid• Thetownshipsystem:Composedofmeridiansparallel
o Acolumnoftownshipsiscalledarangeo Atownshipis36sectionso Asectionis1x1mileso Aquartersectionis160acres(standardhomestead,mostcommonunitinAlbertao Smallerdivisionsincludelegalsubdivisionsto(40acres)
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• DominionLandsAct,1879
o AfederallawunderwhichlandsinWesternCanadaweregrantedtoindividuals,colonizationcompanies,theHudson’sBayCompany,railwayconstruction,municipalitiesandreligiousgroups
o ItdevisedspecifichomesteadpoliciestoencouragesettlementintheWest,coveringeligibilityandsettlers’responsibilities,andoutlinedastandardmeasureforsurveyingandsubdividingland
o Included:§ Hudson’sBayCompanyLands:ss.17–21§ SchoolLands:ss.22–23§ TownandVillagelots:s32§ Landforchurches,cemeteries,etc.:s33§ Homesteadingprovisions:s34
• LanduseallocationinAlbertatoday:o Largelydividedintogreenandwhiteareaso White:settledareaoftheprovince–farming,municipalities,etc.
§ About3/4sisprivate,therestispublico Green:givenovertoforestmanagementcompanies(58%oftheprovince)o Landsunderfederaljurisdictionincludenationalparks,militarybases,andreserves
• Certificateoftitle:astateormunicipal-issueddocumentthatidentifiestheownerorownersofpersonalorrealproperty.Acertificateoftitleprovidesdocumentaryevidenceoftherightofownershipmainlyforrealestate
o Theonlyinterestsrecognizedinlandarethoseinacertificateoftitle–theGovernmentofAlbertaguaranteesthistitlealmostfully
o ThisisascloseaswegettoowningthelandbecausetheCrownactuallyownsito Theorderonthetitlegoesmeridian,range,township,andsectiono Section62oftheAlbertaLandTitlesActprovidesaguaranteeoftheownerofthelandbeingtherealowner,
wherenoonecandenythisownershipclaim,butthecertificateoftitledoesnotguaranteetheboundariesoftheproperty
o Section60oftheLandTitlesActsaysthattheonlylegalinterestsinlandinAlbertaarethoserecordedinacertificateoftitle
• TorrensSystem:o InplaceinAlberta,operatesundertheauthorityoftheLandTitlesAct.StatesthattheGov’tofAlbertahad
custodyofalloriginaltitles,documents,andplans,andhasthelegalresponsibilityforthevalidityandsecurityofallregisteredlandtitlesinfo.Thegov’tguaranteestheaccuracyofalltitles.Ideaiftoguaranteeaccuracysoifanerroroccursthereiscompensationavailable
o Operatesunderthreeprinciples:
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§ Mirrorprinciple:thetitletopropertywillreflectcompletelyandaccuratelyallcurrentfactsofthetitle§ Curtainprinciple:thecurrentcertificateoftitlecontainsallinformationaboutthetitle,soitisnot
necessaryforaninterestedpersonsuchasapotentialbuyertoworryaboutanypastdealingswiththeproperty
§ Insuranceprinciple:aninsurancefundisinplacetocompensateanyonewhosuffersalossasaresultofamistakebeingmadeaboutthevalidityoraccuracyofatitle
LANDBOUNDEDBYWATER
• Commonlawdistinguishesamongwaterformationsdependingonwhethertheyarenavigableortidal–atcommonlaw
thereisapresumptionthattheboundaryoflandthatisadjacenttoanon-tidalriverextendstothemiddleoftheriver,unlessdocumentsoftitlestateotherwise
• Whenthebodyofwateristidal,ownershipextendsonlytotheordinaryormeanhighwatermark-seawardofthistheCrownhastitle
PublicLandsAct:• ThetitletothebedsandshoresofallpermanentandnaturallyoccurringbodiesofwaterisvestedintheCrowninrightof
Alberta
SurveysAct:• Thebedandshoreofabodyofwatershallbethelandcoveredsolongbywaterastowrestitfromvegetationorasto
markadistinctcharacteronthevegetationwhereitextendsintothewaterofonthesoilitselfo Rule:thelinewherethereisnomoreaquaticvegetationistheboundarywhereprivateownersinterestbegins
• Riparianrights:Theallocatingofrightstouseabodyofwaterbyindividualswhoownpropertyaroundsaidbodyofwater–includesrightofaccesstothewater
ErikvMcDonald• Facts:Alloftheparties’ownpropertythatbordersonthePedersenreservoir.Duetothetopographytheappellantsown
thelandbothonthenorthandsouthsideofthebay,andhaveconstructedafenceacrossthewaterbetweenthesepartsoftheirparcelwhichhastheeffectofisolatingthesmallbayofthereservoirwhichborderstherespondent'slandsandpreventsthemfromusingthebulkofthereservoir.
o Trialjudgeconcludedthatshedidn'thavetodecideifthePedersenreservoirwasanaturallyoccurringbodyofwater,becauseunders.3(2)oftheWaterActtheCrownowns"thepropertyinandtherighttothediversionanduseofallwaterintheprovince".Eveniftheappellantsownedthebedofthereservoirtheydidn'townthewaterandcouldn'tpreventtherespondentsfromusingit
• Issue:Dotheappellantsownthewaterorthebedofthereservoir,sothattheycanexcludeothersfromitsuse?• Reasons:
o Commonlawpositionisthattheownerofthelandowneditfromthedepthsoftheearthtotheheavens,butoneexceptioninthePublicLandsAct(2000)statesthatthetitletothebedsandshoresofallpermanentandnaturallyoccurringbodiesofwaterisvestedintherightofAlberta
o Riparianaccesstowaterispreservednomatterwhat,soregardlessofwhoownsthebed,theycannotinterferewithaccesstothewater
o Thereislegislationtosaythatwaterisnotseenasnotnaturallyoccurringsimplybecauseitwasdammed• Holding:Provinceownsthereservoirandthewater.Appellantsandrespondentsmaintainanequalcommonlawriparian
rightofaccesstoit.Afencewouldinterferewiththecommonlawrightsoftherespondents.Appealdismissed• Ratio:
o Whereawaterbodyisconsidered“naturallyoccurring”boththewaterandthebedwillbelongtotheprovinceo Wherethewaterbodyisnotnaturallyoccurring,thebedofthewaterbodywillstillbelongtotheholderofthe
titlebutthewaterwillbelongtotheprovince
ACCRETION
• Atcommonlaw,ariparianlandownerisentitledtotheextensionoflandthroughaccretion
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• MUSTBEGRADUALANDIMPERCEPTBLE–itistheprogressoftheaccretionthatmustbeimperceptible,nottheresulto Itissaidthatimperceptiblecriteriaaremetsolongasthechanges“cannotbeobservedinitsactualprogressfrom
momenttomomentorfromhourtohour”o Canalsooccurthroughnon-naturalforces,e.g.thebuildingofadamupstream,aslongasitwasn’talandowner
whobroughtabouttheresult• Theoperationofaccretionmaybeexcludedinagrantingdocument
RobertsonvWallace:• TheRobertsontitlereadthat"alltheportionofsectionxthatliestotheeastandsouthofthewestbankofHighwood
River"andtheWallacetitleread"allthatportionofsectionxthatlieswestandnorthofthewestbankoftheHighwoodRiver"
• Later,naturaleventsoccurredthatendedupaddinglandonthewestbank,andanislandinexistenceatthetimeofthegrantsbecamepartofthewestbank.Wallaceclaimedtheseareas
• Thisclaimfailed-ontheevidenceitwasshownthatthechangehadbeenrapid,andwasnotgradualandimperceptiblewhichisthelegaltestforaccretion.Thereforetheoriginallocationoftheriverstilldefinedtheboundary
• Why?o Oneideaisthatanadditiontolandmaybetoominuteandvaluelesstoappearworthyoflegaldisputeorseparate
ownership§ "Thatwhichcannotbeperceivedinitsprogressistakentobeasifitneverhadexistedatall"
o Helpstomaintainwateraccessforownersandprotectsthepublicinterestintheuseofnavigablewaters-thepresumptionofaccretionhelpsfurtherthesegoalsandmaintainsthewater'sedgeasthepropertyboundarybetweenthepublicandprivate
o Alwayslimitedbycertificateoftitle
SUBSURFACERIGHTS
• Thereisapotentialanticommonsproblemwithallowingsurfaceownerstopossesstheentiresliveroflandbeneaththeirproperty–attemptstoassemblethesesliversoftitlecouldbethwartedbyholdouts
• Theresultingfragmentationmayinterferewiththeneedsofnewtechnology,suchascarbonsequestration• Themeansofaccesstothesubsurfaceareessentiallythesamefortheownerofthesurfaceandforsomeotherprivate
landowner,sothereisn’tadifferenceinthetechnologiesusedbythecompetingclaimantsasthereisinconnectionwithairspace
o Potentialusesforallownersofsubsurfaceareidentical!
EdwardsvSims(1929)• Facts:acavedevelopedasatouristattractionbyEdwards,onwhoselandthecave'sentrancewaslocated.Aboutonethird
ofthecavewaslocateddirectlybelowthelandsofLee.Thisportionwasinaccessibletohim.LeecommencedanactionagainstEdwardsfortrespass.Primaryissueherewaswhetherasurveyofthecavecouldbeordered
• Issue:Doesthecourthavethepowertoinvadetherightofownershipforthepurposeofdeterminingthetruthofthematterathand?
• Rulesfromthemajority:o Thesurfaceownerhasclearandlegallyprotectablecontrolinsidetheboundaryline(exclusivityisrespected)o Byextendingrightstothedepthsoftheearththegreatestpossibleareaoflandismadeownable(universality)o Theclearnessoftherulereducesthetransactioncoststhatmightbeproducedbytheneedtodeterminewho
hastitletowhatland–thiscertaintyfacilitatesexchange(transferability)• Holding:Thecourthastheinherentpowerindependentofstatutetocompelamineownertopermitaninspectionofhis
worksatthesuitofapartywhocanshowreasonablegroundforsuspicionthathislandsarebeingtrespassedon• Dissent(LoganJ.)
o Trueprincipleisthatthemanwhoownsthesurface,withoutreservation,ownsnotonlylanditself,buteverythingabove,upon,orunderitwhichhemayuseforhisprofitapleasure,andwhichhemaysubjecttohisdominionandcontrol.Furtherthanthathisownershipshouldnotextend
o Showsprinciplesoflegalrealism,hintsthatheproposedthissolutionthatwassofarfromcommonlawprinciplesbecauseofotherintentions
§ Cavewarsseenasaproblem,federallegislationhadnomoneytoacquirethecavesandturnthemintoanationalpark,soonecaveownerwouldbecheapertobuythantwo
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o Thisdissentisalotlessclearthanthebrightlineruleshowninthemaxim,althoughintermsofeconomicefficiencyitmakesmoresensethatsoleownershipshouldgototheowneroftheentrance(preventsholdouts)
EconomicPerspectiveontheGreatOnyxCaves• ThedissentingopinionofLoganJ.inthecasedrawsheavilyonrhetoricusedinrelationtotheeconomic,desertandlabour
justificationsusedforprivateproperty• BUTwouldtheminorityrulehavebeenapplicableifneitherpartyhadeasyaccesstothecaverns?Ifso,wouldownership
havebeenbasedonaracetothesubsurface?(Potentiallyattheexpenseofthegeologicaltreasureunderneath)• Themajorityruleisn’tjustanendorsementofselfishness–therightofcontrolofland(orotherproperty)isanaspectof
thefreedomthatspringsfromprivateproperty• Inthisreadingitmightbeassumedthatmostpeoplewillactrationallyinpursuingtheirselfinterest,andifthisisso,then
theownerofthelandshouldbewillingtoallowotherstouseitiftheincentivetodosoishighenougho Basicallythemajorityholdingthatgivestheownerofthesurfaceabsoluterightsofownershipcanbasisof
economicefficiency–premiseisthatweallhaveourprice• Ifwewanttodesignapropertyregimethatallocatesefficiently,thesystemshouldseektopromoteexclusivity,
universality,andtransferabilityo Arulethatisbasedonexplorationislessprecisethanonevestingabsoluterightsinthesurfaceowner
• Ifthemajorityruleisanefficientone,thentheharmtothecaveoperatorshouldn’tbeasirreparableasthedissentclaims–BcouldbuytherighttousethecavesfromA
o Fromanefficiencyperspective,thedeterminationofwhetherornotthecaveswillbeusedasatouristattractiondependsontherespectivefinancialinterestsofAandB,NOTonthelegalallocationestablishedthroughlitigation
o Assumingthepartiescanbargainwithouthightransactioncosts,therighttothecavewillgotothepartywhovaluesitthemost,andthelegalallocationwillaffectmerelywhopayswhomandhowmuch(COASETHEREOM)
§ Theeconomicfunctionoflawsistoinfluencethepricesthatarepaidforvariouscommodities
StarEnergyWealdBasinLtdvBocardoSA• AcaseinvolvingpetroleumandnaturalgaswellsthatweredrilleddiagonallyonA'slandandextendedunderB'sproperty,
thecourtheldthattitleextendedtothedepthsatissuebutcastdoubtonthemaxim• Recognizedthatthismaximmaynotbeapplicablefarbelowtheearth'scrust,butthatinthecaseathanditdidn'textend
thatfarandsotheapplicationwasnotabsurdhereNote:Inmanystatesporespaceisvestedintheownerofthesurface,butinAlbertatheMinesandMineralsAct(2000)deemsallporespacetobe,andhavealwaysbeen,thepropertyoftheCrown
THERIGHTSTOMINESANDMINERALS
• Thecommonlawruleisthatmineralsexceptgoldandsilverarepartofthelanditselfandbelongprimafacietotheownerofthesoil,andtheowneroftheland
o Itispresumedthatthelandownershipalsoincludesthemineralsintheland(unlessotherwisestated)o Inrealitythisruledoesn’tapply–therearesomanyexceptionsthatitessentiallyonlyappliestotheCrownnow
• Generallyonceownershipofamineralestatehasbeengranted,asalebetweenprivateindividualswillpassminesandmineralsautomaticallyunlessthoseinterestsarespecificallyreserved
• Absentstatutoryguidance,thequestionofwhatcountsasamineralisdeterminedbytheparties’intentionsatthetimeofthegrant(sominesandmineralsiscapableofhavingawidevarietyofmeanings)
• Threemainprinciples:1. TheVernacularTest:todecideifasubstanceis"mineral",thetestlookstoseeifitwasconsideredtobesointhe
vernacularofminers,commercialpeople,andlandowners(prefersthevernacularoverthescientific)2. PurposesandIntentionsTest:whereregardishadnotonlyforthewordsusedtodescribethingsreserved,butalsofor
theleadingpurposeorobjectthatthedeedorstatuteembodiesi. E.g.grantingoflandforagriculturalpurposeswiththeguaranteecovenantingtocultivate
3. ExceptionalOccurrencesTest:thattheword"minerals"inareservationdoesn'tincludetheordinaryrock,butonlyexceptionalandraresubstances
• Surfaceandmineralrightscamewiththepurchaseoflanduntiltheearly1900s.Afterthistheyhavebeenownedbythegovernmentandcan’tbepurchased,onlyleasedbyindividualsandcompanies
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• Thedispositioniscalledagrant.Whentherearetermsplacedonitthereisareservationofthegrant,wherethegrantorgrantstheinterestinlandbutreservessomethingwithinit
MINERALTITLEDISPUTES
BorysvCPR• Facts:CPR’soriginalgrantfromtheCrownincludedallminesandminerals.CPRgrantedsomeofthelandstosettlers,
reservingforitselfthe“coal,petroleum,andvaluablestone”.Naturalgasisthendiscoveredundertheland• Issue:Isnaturalgasreservedinthecategoryofcoal,petroleum,andvaluablestone,orisitdifferent?• Reasons:
o Althoughthereislittlechemicaldistinctionbetweenpetroleumandgas,thevernaculartestprevails.Insitupetroleumisliquid,andgasisgas
• Holding:o CPRdoesnotownthegasbecauseitdidn’treservetherightstoitself,sotherights/gasbelongtothesurface
owner• Ratio:
o Thiscaseillustrateswhatacourtmightbefacedwith–thereisagrantthatreservessomething,thensomethingelseisdiscovered.Needtodetermineifthenewthingfallsundertheinitialcategory
RightofEntry
1) Atcommonlaw:a. Ifyouownthelandatcommonlaw,youhavetherightofaccess.Youdon’tneedthesurfaceowner’spermission
toworktheminerals.Can’tcauseunnecessarydamageb. InAlberta,thiswasoverwrittenbylegislation(SurfaceRightsAct,s12)
SurfaceRightsActc. Mustnegotiatewiththesurfaceownersothatthesurfaceownerwillprofit,oratleastnotbeharmedifyou
wanttoenterthepropertyd. Iftheycan’tcometoanagreement,theSurfaceRightsBoardwillgiveanestimateofcompensationtobegivento
thesurfaceownere. Rightofentry-Anoperatorneedstoobtaintheconsentoftheownerandtheoccupantofthesurfaceoftheland
inordertoenterthesurfaceofthelandfortheremovalofminerals,forconstruction,orforincidentsrelatingtoconstruction,ORhasbecomeentitledtorightofentrybyreasonofanorderoftheBoardpursuanttothisAct
ImportantActs:
PublicLandsAct
s.35(1):“Allminesandmineralsandtherighttoworkthemare,byimplicationandwithoutthenecessityforanyexpresswordsofexception,exceptedfromeverydispositionandnotificationmadeunderthisAct.”
a. IfthereareprovincialCrownlandsgrantedtoanownertoday,theownerwouldnotgetanyminesormineralsunlesstheyareexpresslygranted
b. ACrowngrantistakentoreserveminesandmineralsimpliedly
MinesandMineralsActs.10
s.10:“ItisherebydeclaredthatnograntfromtheCrown,whetherrelatingtoland,mineralsinlandorotherwise,hasoperatedorwilloperateasaconveyanceofgoldandsilverunlessgoldandsilverareexpresslynamedandconveyedinthegrant.”
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MinesandMineralsActs.1
S1:"minerals"meansallnaturallyoccurringminerals,andwithoutrestrictingthegeneralityoftheforegoing…”
c. Thislegislationwasintendedtoallowthelandownerstoprofit,wheretheycouldrecoverthemineralsbysurfaceoperationwithouttheneedtomine
LawofPropertyAct
S7(1):“...everyinstrumenttransferringlandoperatesasanabsolutetransferofallrightandtitlethatthetransferorhasinthelandatthetimeofitsexecution,unlessacontraryintentionisexpressedinthetransferorconveyance.”
AIRSPACERIGHTS
DidowvAlbertaPowerLtd[1988]• Facts:AlbertaPowerLtdconstructedapowerlineonthemunicipalroadallowancealongthesideoftheappellant’sland.
Thesepowerpolesareonlytwofeetfromtheappellant’slandandthecross-armsconductorsextend6feetintotheairspaceabovetheappellant’sland.Thetrialjudgeheldthatitdidn’tinterferewiththeappellant’spossessionofairspacebecausethereisnodecreasedenjoymentoftheproperty
• Issue:Hastherespondenttrespassedontheairabovetheappellant’sland?• Reasons:
o TheLatinmaximcujusestsolumisreferenced–thisestablishesthatintrusionbyanartificialorpermanentstructureintotheairspaceofanotherisforbiddenasatrespass
o Twogroups:§ Casesinvolvingpermanentstructuralprojectionsintotheairspaceaboveanother’sland(thisisgenerally
heldtoconstituteatrespass)§ Casesinvolvingatransientinvasionintotheairspaceaboveanother’slandataheightnotlikelyto
interferewiththelandowner(unlikelytoaffectthelandowner,e.g.airplanes)o Inthiscasethecourtdoesnotconsiderthesecondgroupappropriatebecauseaircraftshouldnotbeequatedwith
powerlines(muchlessinterference)o HaddadJ.A.holdsthattheapplicationoftheLatinmaximshouldbebalancedincompromisingtherightsof
landownersagainstthegeneralpublic.Thisbalancecouldinvolverestrictingtherightsofanownerintheairspaceabovehislandtotheheightnecessaryfortheordinaryuseandenjoymentofhislandandthestructuresonit(allowstechnologicalgrowthtobeaccommodated)
• Holding:Appealallowed.Thecross-armsamounttoatrespass• Ratio:Alandownerisentitledtofreedomfrompermanentstructureswhichinanywayimpingeupontheactualor
potentialuseandenjoymentofhislando Conceptsestablishedhere:
§ CourtswillnotalwaysgiveliteraleffecttotheLatinmaxim§ Theproperremedyforinterferencewithalandowner’sairspacewithapermanentfixtureistrespass,as
opposedtonuisanceNotes:Followingthedismissaloftheapplicationforleavetoappeal,AlbertaamendedtheHydroandElectricActsoitnowpermitsthetypeofairspaceintrusionsthatwereanissuehere,anddoesn’tprovidecompensationforthis
• Thisisforpolicyreasons–ifthiswasn’tenacted,theneveryownerwherepowerlinesintrudedovertheirlandwouldbeeligible.Costswouldbedramaticallyincreased.Needsofmanybringprovidedpowerversustheindividualneedofeachpersonfortheirpersonalproperty
• Nowthegovernmentdoesn’thavetodothecostbenefitanalysiswhendecidingwhetherornottointrudeonland
ECONOMICEFFICIENCY
• Thisplaysanimportantroleinthedesignofpropertyrules–needtothinkaboutwhatisthemorevaluableuseoftheairspace/land
• Economicefficiencyisabouttheefficientallocationofresources.Propertyshouldendupinthehandsofthosewhovalueitthemost
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• Wecanalwaysreachefficientallocationthroughtrade–thisisCoasetheorem
CoaseTheorem&Propertyvs.LiabilityRules–alsoseeGreatOnyxCavesIntheabsenceoftransactioncostsanyinitialassignmentofrightswillleadtoanefficientresult
• Basically,thatifthepartiescanbargain,thentheinitialallocationisn’timportantbecauseitcanstillbereachedintheend.Itisthemarketthatdeterminestheultimateuseofresources
• Propertyrights/airspacerightsarethereforefactorsofproduction–ifweassignrightsinthosefactorsofproduction,theycanbetradedsotheyendupinthehandsthepartieswhovaluethemthemost
• Transactioncosts:whatmightimpedebargainingo Collectiveactionproblems–freeridingandhandoutso Strategicbargaining–bilateralmonopolies(endupwithalackofproductivitybecauseitproducesonlystrategic
behaviourandfriction)o Non-productivecosts–costsofcontracting,monitoring,andenforcing
• Coasestatesthatwhentransactioncostsarehigh,bargainingmightfailHowlegalrulescanminimizetransactioncosts:
1) Thelawshouldmimicthemarketa. Trytoaccomplishwhatthemarketwoulddoinaworldwithouttransactioncosts
2) Assignpropertytothelikelyhighestvalueuser3) Choosearemedytoprotecttheentitlement
a. Choosea“propertyrule”(injunction)whentransactionsarelikelytobesmoothi. Thisisarulethatprotectsyourentitlementsothatitcannotbetakenorinfringedupon,sothetransfer
priceissetbyyouatnegotiationb. Choosea“liabilityrule”(damages)whencourtsaremoreeffective
i. Aliabilityruleprotectsyourrightsinadifferentway–entitlementistakenaway/infringedupon,andthenacourtretroactivelysetsthepriceforyourentitlement
c. Howtochoosebetweenthese:conventionalthinkingisthatifwethinkbargainingisrelativelystraightforward,weprotecttheentitlementsbyapropertyruleandleavethepartiestoworkitoutthemselves.Ifweanticipateabreakdownofthebargainingprocessorhightransactioncosts,usealiabilityrule
FIXTURES
• Achattelthatbecomessufficientlyattachedtothelandmaybetransformedintoafixture,therebyformingpartoftherealty
• Whenchattelbecomesafixture,itceasestobepersonalpropertyandthetitletothatitemissubsumedintothatofrealty• Thedeterminationofwhetherachattelhasbeentransformedintoafixtureisamatterofintention,objectivelydetermined
–thisisdeterminedbyexaminingthedegreeandobject(purpose)ofannexationo Theobjectivetestofintentionismainlyaimedatprotectingthirdpartieswhomaybedealingwiththelandat
somefuturepoint.Byrelyingonexternalfactors,thirdpartieswhomaybeunawareofsomeexistingcontractualrelationscan,intheory,knowwhetheragivenitemisachattelorafixture
• Whenachattelisattachedtotheland,howeverslightly,arebuttablepresumptionisraisedthattheitemhasbecomeafixture
o Extentoftheattachmenttendstoaffectthestrengthofthatpresumptiono Thepresumptionisreversedifthechattelisrestingonitsownweighto Thesolegroundfortherebuttalofthesetwopresumptionsistheobject/purposeofannexation
• Twostagesforassessingfixtures:o Firstquestiontodecideiswhetherornotthepersonaltybecameafixture(usethefixturestestfromLaSalle)
§ Whatisthedegreeofannexation?• Anyphysicalattachmentgivesrisetoaviablepresumptionthatthechattelistransformedtoa
fixture• Generallyitemsrestingontheirownweightorthosethataremerelypluggedinwouldbe
chattelsunlessappreciabledamagewouldresultfromtheirremoval• Whenequipmentisattachedtoastructure,allofitscomponentsaregenerallyregardedas
fixtures,evenapartthatcanberemovedeasilyifremovalofthatpartwouldrenderthemachine/fixtureinoperative
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§ Whatistheobjectorpurposeofannexation?• Wasthepurposeoftheattachmenttoenhancethelandhavingregardtotheland’sintended
use?(fixtureexists)• Wasthepurposeoftheattachmentforthebetteruseofthechattelasachattel?(affixation
doesn’tmakepartoftherealty)• Shouldbeassessedobjectively,asitappearstotheworld• Itemsnotphysicallyfixedtothelandmayberegardedasfixturesiftheyappeartointendtobe
partoftheland(e.g.garagedooropener)• Ifanitemisphysicallyaffixedtothelandbutthepurposeofannexationistomakethat
personaltybetterormorevaluable,ratherthantoimprovetheland,thenitcouldbeseentohaveretaineditsstatusaspersonalty
o Ifitisafixture,askwhathappenstotheexistinginterestinboththechattelandtheland
ClashofSecurityInterests• Underthecommonlawthegeneralruleisthatwhenchattelbecomesaffixeditfallsunderlandsecurity• Thus,thesecurityholderofthechattellosestherightofrepossessionandisonlyleftwithanactiononthedebtagainstthe
purchaser• ThesedisputesareregulatedbystatuteinCanada:
o InAlbertaasecurityinterestinachattelwillnormallyenjoypriorityoverasubsequentlandmortgageifthat(chattel)securityinterestistakenbeforetheitembecomesafixture
o Regulationofthisinterestisrequiredtoprotectthechattelsecurityagainstpriormortgage–failuretoregisteritinthelandtitlesofficewillleadtoalossofpriorityoverthosewhodealsubsequentlywiththelandowneronthefaithoftheregister
LaSalleRecreationsvCamdex• Facts:Theowneroftherealty(VillaMotorHotel)getfinancingfromtheirproject.TheyborrowthemoneyfromCamdex
Investments,andgivethemamortgageontheland(securityinterest).Villabuysthecarpetingfromthevendor,butthemoneyisnotpaidrightaway.Thevendormakesitaconditionalsalesagreementwheretheystipulatethatthevendorretainstitletothecarpetuntilthepurchasepriceispaidinfull.Villanowhastwoliabilities-toCamdexandtothevendorforthecarpet.Then,Villagoesbankrupt.
o Thevendorsaysthatishiscarpet,sotheyshouldgetitregardlessofanythingelse.Camdexsaystheyhaveamortgageonthelandandthereisnocarpet,itisafixturesoalltherightinitaresubsumedintherealty
o Ifthecarpetisdeemedtobeafixture,thevendorloses.Theonlychanceisforthecourttosaythatitisstillacarpetandnotpartoftherealty
• Issue:Isthecarpetafixtureorrealty?• Reasons:
o FixturesTest:madeupoftwoquestions§ Whatisthedegreeofannexation?
• Howisthethingconnectedtotheland?• Anyphysicalattachment,howeverweak,givesrisetoaviablepresumptionthatthechattelhas
beentransformedintoafixture• Contrarypresumptionthatanythingnotphysicallyattachedispresumednottobefixture
§ Whatistheobjectorpurposeofannexation?• Shouldbeassessedobjectively,asitappearstotheworld• Itemsnotphysicallyfixedtothelandmayberegardedasfixturesiftheyappeartointendtobe
partoftheland(e.g.garagedooropener)• Ifanitemisphysicallyaffixedtothelandbutthepurposeofannexationistomakethat
personaltybetterormorevaluable,ratherthantoimprovetheland,thenitcouldbeseentohaveretaineditsstatusaspersonalty
• Doesn’tmatterifthereisacontractthatstipulatesotherwise
ReDavis• Caseaboutwhetherbowlingalleyswerechattelsorfixtures• Testherewasiftheobjectofaffixingofchattelsistoimprovethefreehold,thenevenifthechattelsareonlyslightly
affixedtotherealty,theymaywellbecomepartoftherealty
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• Iftheobjectoftheaffixationofthechattelsisthebetterenjoymentofthechattels,thentheaffixationdoesnotmakethempartoftherealty
TenantsFixtures• Certainfixturesthatareinstalledbytenantsaresubjecttospecialrulesfordetachment-basicgoverningprinciplesforthese
tenantsfixturesarelaidoutinFrankGeorgesInvestmentsLtdvOceanFarmersLtd• Thesefixturesbecomepartofthefreeholdbutcanstillbesevered.Onceseveredtheystopbeingfixturesandstartbeing
chattelagain• Tenantsrightofrestorationissubjecttofourconsiderations:
1) Atcommonlawtheitemsmustfallwithinasetofprotectedfixturesinordertoberemoved(includesitemsattachedforthepurposesoftrade,ornamentation,ordomesticconvenience)
2) Removalmaybeprecludedifitwillcauseseriousdamagetotheproperty3) Theimpliedrightofdetachmentmaybeabridgedbyacontract4) Musthavetimelyremoval–havetoactbeforethetermhasrunitscourse(sometimesforareasonable
periodafterwards)(CarabinvOffman)
DiamondNeonLtdvToronto-DominionRealty• Facts:ThesignswereputonthelandunderacontractbetweenDiamondandatenantontheland,Uptown.Therewasa
contractbetweenthetwothatstatedthedisplaysremainDiamond’spropertyandwillnotbedeemedfixtures.ThelandwasownedbyWesternCanadianPropertiesandleasedtoUptown.Eventually,UptowntransferredthatleasetoDueckalongwiththecontractforthesigns.DueckenteredintoanewleaseforthesignswithDiamond.WhentheleasebetweenDueckandDiamondexpired,andDueck'sleaseofthelandexpired,thesignswereleftthere.WesternCanadianthensoldthelandtoTD.TDhadnoknowledgeofanycontractrelatingtothesigns.TDsoldthesignstoNettieHoldings.
• Issue:Whenthedefendantspurchasedtheland,weretheseitemsfixtures?(ifso,thenitisconversion)• Reasons:
o Evenifthedefendantdidhavenoticeoftheclaim6monthsafterbuyingtheland,thisnoticecouldn’taffectthecharacterofthearticlesbecausetheyhadalreadybeenpassedonwiththeconclusionofthesale
o Thedefendantcouldn’tbeaffectedbythecontractsfortheleasingoftheitemsbecauseitdidn’thaveknowledgeofthemwhenitboughttheland
o Thedefendantacquiredtitletothesignswhenitboughttheland,sowhenitsoldthemtherewasnoconversion• Holding:Heldfortherespondents.Thedegreeandobjectofannexationbutsupporttheconclusionthatthesignshad
becomepartoftherealtybeforethedefendantboughttheland• Ratio:Thisisanissueoftenant’sfixtures–attheendoftheleasetheyhavetherighttodisconnectthefixturesand
restorethembacktochattelstatus.WhenDueckfailedtoexercisetherighttoremovethefixtures,Diamondshouldhavetakenactiontoremovethem
PersonalPropertySecurityAct• Ifyouhaveasecurityinterestorlease,youcanprotectyourinvestmentbyregisteringyouragreementunderthePPSAand
undertheLandTitlesAct• Thesolescopeissecurityinterestoverachattel
TRANSFORMATIONOFPROPERTYINCHATTELS
• Thishappenswhenchattelsbelongingtotwoormorepeoplebecomesomehowconnected.Itdealswiththequestionofwhoownstheobjectunderdispute
• 3types:o Confusion:occurswhenfungibleitemsareinseparablycombined
§ E.g.A’sapplesbecomemixedwithB’sapples§ Authorizedconfusion(donewhenpursuanttoacontract)
• Rightsasagreed§ Innocent:innocentmistake
• Theownersaresaidtobecomeownersinproportionateshare• 50/50contributionsifknown
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§ Wrongful:negligentlydone• Oldrule:culpritlosesallrights(punitive,canbetooharshbecausetheyloseallthepropertythey
actuallyhad)• Newrule(IndianOil,Glencore):saysthattheybecomeownersinproportionateshares,
reflectingthequalityandquantityofthecontributions.Anydoubtisresolvedagainstthewrongfulpartyandiftheinnocentpartysufferedalossasaresulttheyarealsoentitledtodamages(equitable)
o Accession:Itemsthatareinitiallydistinguishablefromoneanothercanbecomeinextricablyfused§ E.g.ArebuildsanengineonlytodiscoverthatthepartswerestolenandbelongtoB§ Generalruleisthattheownerofthemotheracquirestitletotheprogeny(seeCavalierYachts)§ Mustidentifytheprincipalchattel
o Alteration:Achattelisfundamentallytransformed§ Titlewillbeaffectedonlywhenthegoodsaresubstantiallytransformed(towhatdegreethisisisn’tclear
inthejurisprudence)§ E.g.A’sironpolesaremadeintoawrought-irongate
GlencoreInternationalAGvMetroTradingInternationalInc(Confusion)• Facts:MetroTradingInternational(MTI)wasacompanythatmixed,bought,andsoldoil.5differentcompanieshadcontracts
forthestorageofoilinMTI'sfacilityinFujairah(intheUnitedArabEmirates).Theoilwasstoredinawaythatitwascommingledwithoilofsimilarquality.MetroOil,acompanyassociatedwithMTI,hadenteredintoarefiningcontractwithoneofthecompanieswithacontract,Texco.TexcowastoprovideMTIwithcrudeoiltoberefinedbyMetroinexchangeforquantitiesoftherefinedoil.Thismeantthatitwasn'tonlytheownershipofoilthatwasinquestion,butalsotheownershipofoilthatwastransformedintoanewproducto MTIwentintobankruptcy-atthispointtherewasonly750000tonnesofoilintheirfacility,andthereshouldhave
been2.5million• Issue:Whatsystemoflawgovernedthetransactionsinplace?
o Thiscasedealswithwhatwasleftoutofthepreviouscase-theeffectofproprietaryinterestsofthewrongfulandirreversiblemixingofgoodsofdifferentkinds
• Reasons:o CitedIndianOilCorporationLtdvGreenstoneShipping-thiscasecreatedthenewruleforcommingling,statesthat
whereBwrongfullymixesthegoodsofAwithgoodsofhisown(whichareofthesamenatureandquality)andtheycan'tbeseparated,themixtureisheldincommonandAisentitledtoreceiveoutofitaquantityequaltothatofhisgoodswhichwentintothemixture.HeisalsoentitledtoclaimdamagesfromBforlossessuffered
o TrueprincipleofEnglishlawisthatpropertyinchattelsisnotlostsimplybecausetheyareprocessedintoanewform-greaterconcernontheoriginofthenewcommoditythanonthefactthatanewcommodityhasbeencreated
• Thetrueownerisalwaysentitledtotaketheirpropertybackinitsnewshapedespiteanyformofalteration,ifhecanidentifytheminthatnewcommodityandshowthatitiswhollyofsubstantiallycomposedofthem
o Propositionthatanewcommodityautomaticallybelongstoitsmanufacturerwithsomecare-notasettledprinciple,especiallyifthemanufacturerisawrongdoer
• Ratio:o Whenonepersonwrongfullyblendshisownoilwithoilofadifferentgradeorspecificationbelongingtoanother
personwiththeresultthatanewproductisproduced,thatnewproductisownedbythemincommono Theproportionsinwhichtheyownthenewblendshouldreflectboththequantityandthevalueoftheoilwhicheach
hascontributedo Anydoubtsaboutquantityorvalueshouldberesolvedagainstthewrongdoero Innocentpartyalsoentitledtorecoverdamagesinrespectofanylosssuffered
McKeownvCavalierYachtsPtyLtd(1988)(Accession)• Issue/Facts:Competingclaimstotheownershipofayacht.Theplaintiffownedalaminatedhullthatwassupposedtobe
turnedintothefinishedproduct.Anagreementwasenteredintobetweenthepartiestodoso.CavalierwassoldtoSpartech,withSpartechtakingonthecontractandtheplaintiffpayinganadditional$20000.Spartechclaimedthatithadnotreceivedpaymentfortheyacht,andbecauseitdidn'thavecontractualrightsagainstMcKeownitassertedownershipoftheyacht.
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o DefendantsarguedthatMcKeown'shullhadbecomeanaccessiontotheworkperformedbySpartecho McKeownwantsspecificrestitution
• Reasons:o Thejudgeholdsthattheyachtischattelthatwouldbeseriouslyaffectedifthe“accretions”addedbySpartechwere
removed.Toremovetheadditionswoulddestroythecurrentarticlesothelawofaccessionapplies.Thisistheinjuriousremovaltest.
o Thehullwasworth$1,700andtheaccretionsareworth$24,000.Whichisthemajorchatteltowhichaccretionswereadded(principalchattel)?Thejudgetakestheviewthatthehullwasaddedtopiecebypiece,andasthosepieceswereaddtheybecamethepropertyofthehullowner,McKeown.
o Spartechshouldhavetakentheprocessstepsoffindingoutwhotheyachtbelongedtoratherthanassumingitwastheirsandcompletingworkonit.Thehull,alongwiththeworkcompletedbySpartech,isthepropertyoftheplaintiff.
o Regardingthespecificrestitution,isthechattelsufficientlyuniquesothatdamagesarenotappropriate?Yes,theyachtshouldbereturnedtotheplaintiff.
o ShouldSpartechbecompensatedfortheimprovements?Theplaintiffwantedtheworkdone,butthoughtthathisyachttrade-inwassufficientpayment.Theplaintiffisorderedtopaythedifferencebetweenthetrade-invalueandthevalueoftheworkdonebySpartech$4,409.
• Ratio:o Ifminorchattelcanbedetached,thenitcanbeorderedtobereturned,oritcannotbereturnedandthen
compensationcanbeawarded.Ifminorchattelcannotbedetached,thencompensationcanbeawarded.o Thelawofaccession:
• Ifanycorporealsubstancereceivesanaccessionbynaturalorartificialmeans,asbythegrowthofvegetables,thepregnancyofanimals,theembroideryofcloth,theoriginalownerisentitledbyhisrightofpossessiontothepropertyinitsimprovedstate
• Similarly,whenthegoodsofonepersonareaffixedtothelandorchattel,forexampleaship,ofanother,theymaybecomepartofitandsoaccruetotheowneroftheprinciplething.
o Itisrelevantwhetheraninnocentthirdpartyhadaddedtosomeoneelse'schattelwithoutanyactualorconstructivenoticeofanother'sownershipandcaseswheretherewasnosuchknowledge
TestsforAccession(ThomasvRobinson)1. Injuriousremovaltest:cantheitemsberemovedwithoutseriousphysicalinjurytotheprinciplechattel?
i. E.g.Weldingmetalii. Ifthepartcanberemovedwithoutdamagingtheremainingprinciplechattelthentherewouldbenoaccessioneven
thoughtheremovedpartisofvitalfunctionalimportance(e.g.enginefromacar)2. Separateexistencetest:hastheseparateidentityoftheaccededchattelbeenlost?
i. E.g.abrickinahouse3. Destructionofutilitytest:wouldtheremovalofthecombineditemsdestroytheutilityoftheprincipalchattel?
i. E.g.acarisnotjustacollectionofparts,ifyouremovetheengineitnolongerfunctionsasacar4. Degreeandpurposeofannexationtest(fixturestest):lookingatthedegreeandpurposeofannexation,hasanaccession
occurred?Nosureguideastowhichapproachshouldgovern–theproperapproachmaydependonthenatureofthedispute
CommonLawRuleforAccession• Whenyoufusetwoitemsofpersonaltytothattheycannotbeconvenientlydetachedthereisaccession.Theprinciple
personaltybecomesthesubjectofallthepropertyrightsandtherightstotheaccessionarelost.Thereareonlyrightsinthedominantchattel
• Thecourtsdecidewhethergradualimprovementsofaccession,theessenceoftheimprovement,orthetotalvalueisusedasthetesttodeterminethis
• Damages(“liabilityrule”)orreturninspecie(“propertyrule”)o Recoveringpossessionisonlyavailableforland.Thisiswhywehavethedistinctionbetweenrealtyand
personalty.Returninspeciecouldonlybegrantedinacourtofequitywhentheitemisunique
StatutoryRuleforAccession• PersonalPropertySecurityAct:Evenminimalattachmentfallswithinthestatutorydefinitionofanaccession
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JonesvDeMarchant(Allthree)Facts:Beaverpeltsmixedtogether(4ofhusbands&18ofwifes,)sewntogetherandturnedintoacoat.
A. Confusion:Mixingoftheplaintiff'speltswiththoseofherhusbandso Afterputtingallbeaverskinsinapile,cannottellwhosebeaverskinswerewhose.
B. Accession:Combinationofchattels:peltssewntogether.C. Alteration:Beaverpeltssewntogetherandthenalteredintoacoat,whichcouldnotbedivided
MISTAKENIMPROVEMENT
LawofPropertyAct,s69• Whenapersonatanytimehasmadelastingimprovementsonlandunderthebeliefthatthelandwastheperson'sown,
thepersonorperson'sassign:o Areentitledtoalienonthelandtotheextentoftheamountbywhichthevalueofthelandisenhancedbythe
improvement,oro AreentitledtoormayberequiredtoretainthelandiftheCourtisoftheopinionorrequiresthatthisshouldbe
donehavingregardtowhatisjustunderallcircumstancesofthecase• ThepersonentitledorrequiredtoretainthelandshallpaycompensationthattheCourtmaydirect• Normallyyou’reentitledtothemoneyyouspentimprovingtheland,butifthetruelandownerdoesn’tpayyouthenyou
canpotentiallyretaintheland
• Lien:arighttokeeppossessionofpropertybelongingtoanotherpersonuntiladebtowedbythatpersonisdischarged• Theimproverisstillatrespasser!Evenif,asthedoctrinerequires,theimprovermusthaveactedunderamistakenbeliefas
therighttobeontheland,itistritelawthataninnocenterroroffactisnodefencetoanactionintrespasstolandSOthelandownercancounterclaimfordamagesintortorseekoccupationrent
• Thisisdifferentthanthefixturestest!Itisarulethatexistsontopofthecommonlawruleoffixturesandtransformation
GidneyvShank(1995)• Feuersteinownedafreightercanoethatwasstolenfromhim,andeventuallypurchasedbyplaintiffGidneyfromathird
party.Gidneyrepaireditputting100hoursofhisownworkand$806intoreconstruction.Policelaterremovedthecanoefromhishouseaspartofacriminalinvestigation.Bothpartieslaidclaimtothecanoe
• Issue:claimforrestitutionasaremedyforunjustenrichment• Reasons:
o Forunjustenrichmenttheremustbe:§ Anenrichment§ Acorrespondingdeprivation§ Anabsenceofanyjuristicreasonfortheenrichment
o BeardJheldthattherewasajuristicreasonforenrichment(contrarytothetrialjudge)-thiswasthattherewasnorelationshipbetweenGidneyandFeuersteinandconsequentlyFeuersteindidn'tknowGidneywasinvestingtimeandmoneyintothecanoe,anddidn'tconsentoracquiescetotheinvestment.Thismeansthatitwasn'tunjust
• InGidney:o MakingcanoeusefulonwaterwasanincontrovertibleenrichmenttoFeuersteino Takingthecanoewasadeprivationtoplaintiffo BUT,sincenorelationbetweenGidneyandFeuersteinandnoknowledgeofplaintiff’sactions,thereWASajuristic
reasonforFeuersteintokeepenrichment.Feuersteinneverconsentedtoimprovements;nocommunication• Holding:AppealallowedforFeuerstein
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Chapter4:TheConceptofPossession
• Notinterestedintrueownership.QuestionhereisalwaysregardingthepriorityofclaimElementsofPossession:thesearebothimportantbutdependingonthecontexttheymayberelaxed
1) Factum:physicalaspect2) Animus:intenttopossess
Physicalvs.LegalPossession
1) Physicalpossession–theword“possession”maymeaneffective,physicalormanualcontrol,oroccupation,evidencedbysomeoutwardact,sometimescalleddefactopossession(oroccupation).Thisisaquestionoffactratherthanlaw
2) Legalpossession–thatpossessionwhichisrecognizedandprotectedbylaw.a. Legalpossessionrequires:
i. Animuspossidendi(theintentiontopossess)andii. Factum(physicalcontrol).TheInterpretationofthese2componentscanvarysubstantially.
DeFactoPossession
• Legalpossessionisoftenassociatedwithdefactopossession,butlegalpossessionmayexistwithoutdefactopossession,anddefactopossessionisnotalwaysregardedaspossessioninlaw.
• Apersonwho,althoughhavingnodefactopossession,isdeemedtohavepossessioninlawissometimessaidtohaveconstructivepossession
ConstructivePossession
• Atypeoflegalfictioncreatedwheneitherthephysicalormentalaspectofpossession(animusandfactum)iswatereddown
Custody
• Oftencontrastedwithpossession.Apersonmayhavecustodyonlywithouthavinganypossessoryrights(ie.thecaseofacarlease–driverhascustodybutnotlegalpossession)
FirstPossession(sometimescalleddiscovery–fromPierson)
• Thepersonwhofirstoccupiesorpossessespropertyisentitledtomaintaintheirposition,atleastuntilsomeonewithabetterclaimemerged
• Allowsfortheperson’spossessiontoberespect,decreasespotentialconflict• Adversepossession–givesthepersoninpossessionabetterclaimthaneventhetitleholder
PiersonvPost• Facts:Postandhisdogshuntedandchasedafoxalongthebeach.Piersonwasawareofthehunt,andhekilledthefoxand
carrieditaway.Postclaimedalegalrighttopossessionoftheanimal• Issue:Doesapersonobtainpossessionofawildanimalbychasingit?• Reasons:
o Merelyfindingandchasingawildanimaldoesnotgiveapersonpossession.Evenmerelywoundingtheanimalwillnotgiverighttopossession
o Theanimalmustbecapturedorkilledinordertoconstitutepossessiono Needthecombinationofmanifestingintentcombinedwithanacttobringitunderyourcontrol
• Dissent:o Believesthisshouldbeanissueforsocialcustomoftherelevantcommunity–propertyiscontextualtoanextento Themajoritydoesn’tprovidetherightincentive–youcouldbedoingalltheworkofthehuntbutsomeonecould
depriveyouofwhatisrightfullyyourso Hisrule:Propertyinwildanimalsmaybeacquiredwithoutbodilytouchaslongasthepursueriswithinreachor
haveareasonableprospectoftaking,andanintentionofconvertingtohisownuse• Holding:Postdidn’testablishpropertyinthefox,sothereisnocauseofaction• Ratio:
o Merepursuitofananimaldoesnotgiveonealegalrighttoit.Needthecombinationofmanifestingyourintentcombinedwithanacttobringitunderyourcontrol
o Problemwiththiswayisthatwastedeffortsarecreated(noteconomicallyefficient)
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Notes/Summary:
• Commonlawrule:needpossession–thisbecomestherootofownership(e.g.wildanimals)• Startingonthehuntdoesnotconferanyrightsonthehunter• Whenthehunterhasreasonableprospectsofcapturing–thedissentinPiersonwouldsaytherearepre-possessoryrights
andallotherhuntersmustbeprecludedfromhuntingthatanimal• Majorityrejectsthedissentandinsistsonanunequivocalact,suchastrappingormortallywoundingtosuchanextent
thattheanimalisdeprivedofitsnaturalliberty
PopovvHayashi(2002)• Facts:PopovandHayashiwereatabaseballgame.Theballlandedintheupperportionofthewebbingofthegloveworn
byPopov.Itisuncleariftheballwassecure.Hewaspushedtothegroundbythemobtryingtogettheballandsubsequentlylostpossessionoftheball.Hayashipickeditup.ItisunclearifhePopovwouldhaveretainedcontroloftheballhadthecrowdnotpushedhimdown.Popovpledcausesofactionsforconversion,trespasstochattel,injunctivereliefandconstructivetrust
• Issue:DidPopovachievepossessionortherighttopossessionasheattemptedtocatchtheball?• Reasons:
o Possessionrequiresbothphysicalcontrolovertheitemandanintenttocontrolitfromothers-disagreementhereabouthowthedefinitionshouldbeapplied(e.g.someactivitieslikehuntingallowforpossessiontoberecognizedevenbeforeabsolutedominionandcontrolisachieved)
o Rulesarecontextualandcraftedinresponsetotheuniquenatureoftheconducttheyseektoregulate.Areinfluencedbycustomandpracticeofeachindustry
o Popovestablishedthatapre-possessoryinterestgivesrisetoaqualifiedrightofpossession–thiscaseshowsanexceptiontotherulefromPierson
• Holding:• Ratio:
o Thiscaseallowsfortherecognitionofownershiprightsbasednotonpossession,butonpre-possessoryinterestslimitedtothesecircumstances(youareengagedinpursuitandunlawfulactsofothersinterruptyou,fromPierson)
§ Toestablishneedto:• Takesignificantbutnotcompleteactiontopossess• Effortsmustbeinterruptedbytheunlawfulactsofothers
o BUTevenifpre-possessoryinterestisestablished,itdoesn’tgiveyoualltherights–onlytherightstopursueanaction
o Thisistheonlyreferenceincaselawtoapre-possessoryinteresto Possessioniscontextual
CliftvKane• Facts:Shipswouldkillseals,putthemonshoreandthencontinuetohuntotherseals.Otherswouldcomeandtakethem
fromtheshore• Issue:Doweapplytheruleofpossession?• Majority:Ifyoukillananimalyourtitleisabsolute• Dissent:Favouredtheabandonmentissue–killingitisnotenough.Ifyoucan’trecovertheyarelosttoyouandreturnedto
commonstockNote:PropertyinWildAnimals
• Commonlawruleisthatwildanimalsaresubjecttolimitedpropertyrights–noabsolutepropertyrights,onlyqualified(unlesstheyareonesthatreturn)
• AlbertaWildlifeActs.1(3):showsthatpossessionisnotclarified–veryunclearprovision
FINDERS
General• Priortotheadventofsystemsoflandregistrationandrecording,possessionservedastheprimarybasisfordemonstrating
title.Priorpossessionstillservesastheprincipalmodeofprovingtitletopersonalproperty
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o Thereisnogeneralregistryforpersonalproperty• Thesystemisnotaboutidentifyingabsoluteentitlement,butofpriorityofentitlement• ‘Afinderacquirestitlegoodagainsttheworld,exceptforthosewithacontinuingantecedentclaim(theyassert
possessorytitle)• Afinderisplacedinapositioninferiortothatofsubsistingpriorclaimants,butsuperiortothosearisingafterwards–timing
iscentral• Thetrueowner’srightshavenotbeenextinguished.Thefinderhaspossessorytitlebutthetrueownerhasownership
o Problematicnottoconfertitle–meansthatitwouldn’tbeawrongtotakeobjectsfromafinder,andthechainoftitleafterwouldbeprecarious
• Righttopropertymaybeupheldevenifpossessionwasn’tobtainedlawfully,butconnectiontocriminalitymaypreventthis(BirdvFortFrances,BairdvBritishColumbia)RightoffindersinTrachukandinBritishAirways:
o BritishAirwaysrule:Ifitisembedded,theoccupantwins.Ifitsnotembeddedbutdiscoveredthere,theoccupanthastomanifestintentiontocontrolforlostarticles
o Trachukrule:Whereapersonhaspossessionoflandswithamanifestintentiontoexercisecontroloveritandthethingswhichmaybefounduponitorinit,thenifsomethingisfoundonorundertheland,thepresumptionisthattheobjectisundercontroloftheoccupant
• Theserulesarenotconsistent–TrachukdoesnotmakethedistinctionbetweenwhetherthearticleisembeddedorsimplythereBUTthejusticeinthiscasespecificallymentionsintendingtoadoptBritishAirways
• CouldarguethattheruleinAlbertaisthattheoccupantmustmanifestintentionatalltimesregardlessofhowthepropertywasdiscovered.BUTcouldalsoarguethatGalantJintendedtofollowBritishAirwaysandgobythatinterpretation–notclearwhichisright
LegalRulesonFindersRightsandobligationsofthefinder(ParkervBritishAirwaysBoard)
1. Thefinderofachattelacquiresnorightsoveritunless(a)ithasbeenabandonedorlostand(b)hetakesitintohiscareandcontrol
2. Thefinderofachattelacquiresverylimitedrightsoveritifhetakesitintohiscareandcontrolwithdishonestintentorinthecourseoftrespassing
3. Afinderofachattel,whilenotacquiringabsoluteproperty,acquiresarighttokeepitagainstallbutthetrueownerorthoseinapositiontoclaimthroughthetrueowner,orsomeonewhocanassertapriorrighttokeepthechattelwhichwassubsistingatthetimewhenthefindertookitintohiscareandcontrol
4. Unlessotherwiseagreed,anyagentwhofindsachattelinthecourseofhisemploymentandnotwhollyincidentallytoitandtakeitintohiscontroldoessoonbehalfofhisemployer,whoacquiresafinder'srightstotheexclusionofthoseoftheactualfinder
5. Apersonhavingfinder'srightshasanobligationtotakesuchmeasuresasinallthecircumstancesarereasonabletoacquaintthetrueownerofthefindingandpresentwhereaboutsofthechattelandtocareforitinthemeantime
Rightsandliabilitiesofanoccupier
1. Anoccupieroflandhassuperiorrightstothoseofafinderoverchattelsinorattachedtothatland,andanoccupierofabuildinghassimilarrightsinrespectofchattelsattachedtothebuilding,whetherineithercasetheoccupierisawareofthepresenceofthechatteli. Iftheobjectisembeddedorattachedtothepremises,theoccupantalwayswinsii. Distinctionmadebetweenembeddedchattelsandthosesimplyfoundontheland
2. Anoccupierofabuildinghasrightssuperiortothoseofafinderoverchattelsuponorin,butnotattachedtothatbuildingonlyifbeforethechattelisfound,hehasmanifestedanintentiontoexercisecontroloverthebuildingandthethingsthatmightbefoundonit
3. Anoccupierwhomanifestsanintentiontoexercisecontroloverabuildingandthethingsuponorinitsoastoacquirerightssuperiortothoseofafinderisunderanobligationtotakesuchmeasuresasinallthecircumstancesarereasonabletoensurethatlostchattelsarefound,andtoacquaintthetrueownerofthefindingandtocareforthechattelsinthemeantime
4. Anoccupierofachattel(e.g.ship,car,plane)istobetreatedasifheweretheoccupierofthebuilding
ArmoryvDelamirie• Facts:Chimneysweepfindsajewelandbringstoashopforappraisal.Theapprenticetakesitandremovestheprecious
stones.Theytellhimthatitisn'tworthanything,andwhenherejectstheoffer,thedefendantrefusesitreturnitwiththestonesattached.Theplaintiffsuedhimintrover(actionforthereturnofpersonalproperty)
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• Issue:Doesthefinderhavepossessoryrights?• Reasons:
o Jewellersaysthatthesweepisjustafinder,nottheownerofthering,socan'tsueonthebasisofpossessionorownership
o BUTthecommonlawisnotinterestinwhoownswhat,ratherinterestintherelativemeritoftheclaims• Holding:Chimneysweep'sclaimissuperior• Ratio:Thefinderhasabetterclaimtotheobjectthananyoneelseintheworldexceptforthetrueowner
KeronvCashman• DiscussedinPopov,usedtodemonstrateequitablesharing(butitdoesn'thaveanythingtodowiththis)• 5boyscominghomefromschoolandtheyfindanoldstockingfilledwithsomething.Theyhititeachotherwithit.Itisfullof
cash• Thecashissplitbetweenalloftheboys• Thisisn'tactuallyaboutequitablesharing-whenthefirstboyfoundthestockingheestablishedthefactum(physicalcontrol)
butnottheintention(mentalelement)topossessitscontents.Whenitburstopeneverybodyhadtheintentiontopossess,butitwasnotundertheexclusivecontrolofanyoneboy-theyallhadequalfactualcontrolatthatpoint.Possessionwasestablishedatthatmoment,theywerealljointfinders
BirdvFortFrances• Boyandhisfriendsplayhideandseek.Underthehousehefindsanoldcanthatisfilledwithcash.Policetakethemoneyand
theboysues,soit’stheboyagainstthepolice• Policesaytheboyhadnopermissiontoclimbundertheprivateproperty,soheisatrespasser(ownerofthepoolhallwhere
itwasfounddidnotbringforwardaclaim)• Boywinsoverthepolice-eventhoughhewasatrespasserdidnotaffecthisclaim• Ratio:Possessionisentitledtothesamelegalprotectionwhetherornotithasbeenobtainedlawfullyorbytheftorother
unlawfulmeans
BairdvBritishColumbia• Bairdadmittedtocertainthingsatthepolicestationbutwasneverchargedwithanything.Hewasthedriverofagetawaycar
inanarmedrobberyinOntario.ChecksintoahotelinVancouverandputshisvaluableinthehotelsafe.Policearealertedandtakethemoney,andBairdisneverchargedbutisnotallowedhiscashbacksohesues
• StatutesinCanadathatallowauthoritiestoseizetheproceedsofcrime-butthisisn'trelevantherebecausehewasn'tcharged
• CourtsaysthatBaird'sconductwassotaintedbycriminalitythattheywon'tassisthimwithhisclaimo "Fromwrongdoingthereshallbenoright"
• FindersrightscanbedisallowedbecauseofanindividualsconnectiontocriminalityOccupierversusfinder:whoprevails?
ParkervBritishAirways• Facts:ParkerwaitinginBA’sloungeatHeathrow–findsbracelet–nooneclaimssohedoes• Shoulditgotothefinderorowneroftheland?Notembeddedhere• Court:GoestoParker,BAhadnoanimuspossidendiandlackedphysicalcontrol.
o TEST:Whennotattachedorembedded,anoccupiermusthaveanintentiontoexercisecontroloverpremisesandpossesseverythinginit
§ NoevidenceBAsearchedforordemandedlostobjects§ Notevenregularcleaningormaintenanceisenoughtogiveyouclaimoverthefinder
o Ifhadbeenfoundbyemployee–BAwouldpossesso Mentionthatiftrespassing,landownerispreferredevenifshownomanifestintenttocontrol
TrachukvOlinek• Facts:Trachukandthefourdefendants,Olinek,Fulkerth,AustinandMuntzeachclaimtherighttopossessionofandtitleto
$75,960whichwasuncoveredbyhefourdefendantsfromunderthesurfaceofaquartersectionoffarmland.Atthetimethemoneywasfoundhewasnottheowneroftheproperty,hewasalesseefromanoralagreementwiththelandowner.
o Defendant’sclaim:onthebasisofbeingthefindersofthemoneyandfortunefindersoflostpropertyareentitledtoitagainstalltheworldexcepttherealowner
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o Trachuk’sclaim:baseshisclaimonbeinganoccupierofthepropertyandbeinginpossessionofthemoneybyvirtueofbeingindefactopossessionofthelandswhichcontainedthemoney
• Reasons:o Olinekwaslawfullyonthepremises,tookpossessionofmoney;Trachuklosesbecausehecouldnotshow:dejure
(legaltitle)righttothelandwheremoneyfound,defacto(actual)possessionofthelandsincethefencewasn'tmeanttoexcludeothersfromthearea.
o Becausethemoneyhadbeendeliberatelyhiddenunderprivatelyownedland,thegeneralrule,thatthefinderoflostpropertyisentitledtoitasagainstalltheworldexcepttherealowner,doesnotapply
• Holding:Infavourofthedefendants.TheirpossessorytitlewassuperiortoTrachuk’s• Ratio:Whereapersonhaspossessionofahouseorland,withamanifestintentiontoexercisecontroloverit,then,if
somethingisfoundonorunderthelandthepresumptionisthatthepossessionofthatthingisintheownerofthelocationinquestion
ABANDONMENT
• Anexpressintentiontoabandon,coupledwithanoccupationbyanewcomerisrequiredbeforeabandonmentiscomplete,OR
• Anownerorpossessorofchattelcaneasilydivestthemselvesofownershipbyabandoningchattelwiththeintentionofsurrenderingownership(divestingabandonment)
o Thisonlyrequirestherequisiteintentionandconductbytheownermanifestingrequisiteintent• Theactofabandonmentisaquestionoffacttobeprovenbythepartyrelyingontheprincipleofabandonment• Canusethefollowingfactorstosupportaninferenceoftheintenttoabandon:
o Passageoftimeo Natureofthetransactiono Natureandvalueoftheproperty
• ThisisDIFFERENTfrommisplacinganitem–losingallhopeofrecoveryisnotequivalenttotheanimusofabandonment
HistoricalResourcesAct,s32(1)PropertyinallarchaeologicalresourcesandpaleontologicalresourceswithinAlbertaisvestedintheCrown
TheJusTertiiDefenceIndisputesoverproperty,thelawisconcernedwithascertainingtherelativerightsofthepartiestothecontest.Thismeansthatabetterclaimresidinginsomethirdperson(justertii)isimmaterial
ADVERSEPOSSESSION
• Doctrineofadversepossession:Ifyouexhibitpossessionofthecorrectnatureandoftherequiredduration,yourrightsaregoodnotonlyagainsttheworldbutalsoagainstthetitleholder(protectsLASToccupancy)
o Thisisadefencetoanactiontorecoverpossessionbythetitleholder,andisaboutbalancingtherightsofthetwoparties
o Governedbycommonlawandstatute§ Requirementsofpossessiontestsaredevelopedincaselaw,buttheprocedureandtimelimitsare
definedbystatute(LimitationActandLandTitlesAct)• POSSESSION:personassertingsquatter’srightsmusthaverequiresfactualcontrol(factum)andintentiontopossess
(animus)• ClissoldvPerry:GovernmentexpropriatedlandfromClissold.ItisdiscoveredthatClissoldisnottheowneroftheland.If
thetruetitleholdercame,hewouldhaveprevailedoverClissold.Crownsaidhehasn'testablishedpossession,sohewouldn'tgetanything.Courtssaythathehasestablishedpossessorytitlewhichisgoodagainsttheworld,sotheystillhavetopayhim
o Applicationofrelativityoftitle-hedoesn'thavethebesttitle,buthehastitlegoodagainstthegovernmentsothegov'tstillhastopayhim
• Timelimits:
o InAlbertatheLimitationsActstatesthatifthetitleholderdoesnotseekaremedialorderforrecoveryofpossession10yearsafterbeingdispossessed,thenthepersoninpossessionofthelandattheexpirationoftheclockisentitledtoimmunityfromliabilitytothetitleholderuponpleadingthedefence
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o YouHAVEtopleadito Selfhelpbypeacefulmeansbythetitleholderisineffectiveafter10years(section3(6))o Effectivelyafter10years,eventhoughtheActdoesn'tsayyouaren'tthetitleholder,thistitleisworthlesso BUTtheycangetafreshcertificate
• QualityofPossession:needall5orelsenorightscanbeasserted
5elementsfromKeefervArillotao Openandnotorious:theclockwillnotrununlessthesquatter'spossessionisdiscoverablebythetrueowner
(objective).Theclockwillbegintoruniftheownerisalertedtoadversepossession.Thismeansthattheclockwillbegintorunagainstthetitleholderiftheyknew,orshouldhaveknown
o Continuous:Ifpossessionisinterrupted,theclockisrestarted-thisalsodependsoncircumstances-continuousdoesn'thavetomean24/7
o Actual:thepersoninadversepossessionmustphysicallyoccupythelandandareentitledonlytothepartofthelandthattheyoccupy
o Adverse:thesquattermustnotbeonthelandwiththetitleowner'spermissionoracknowledgingthebettertitleoftheowner
§ Althoughsomecaseswhereapersonisgrantedpermissiontoaccesslandunderaneasement,thenoveruseandabusethateasementbyfencing,stakingapermanentclaim,etc.,sotheeasementcanmatureintoanadversepossessionclaim
o Exclusive:thesquatter'spossessionmustbeexclusive.Considerstheactionsofthetrueowner-ifthetitleholderdemonstratesevenminoractsofdominionovertheproperty,thenthepersoninadversepossessioncan'tbesaidtohaveestablishedexclusivity
• Inconsistentusetest:thistestisnotpartoftheregularseriesoftest.ItwasaddedatonetimeinEnglandwhenajuristsaid
thatapersoninadversepossessionmustalsodemonstratethattheiruseofthepropertyinquestionwasinconsistentwiththeintendedusebythetitleholder
o BUTthisisveryincompatiblewiththenotionofpossessorytitleSOthistestisNOTPARTofthelawinAlbertaalmostentirely
o NelsonvMowatheldthattherequirementofinconsistentusetestwasrejectedinAlberta.In2018acasesaidthattheAlbertaCourtofAppealrejectedthistest
StatutoryRequirementsforAdversePossession• InAlbertaadversepossessionisadefencetoaclaimbythetitleholder.Entitledtoimmunitybecause10yearshave
elapsed(forland)
LimitationsAct:o Section2(a):ifaclaimantdoesnotseekaremedialorderwithin2yearsafterthedatetheclaimantshouldhave
knownoroughttohaveknownalltheelementsthatallowaclaimanttobringforwardaclaim§ E.g.clockbeginstorunwhenyoufindout§ Notimportantforclaimsofpossession
o Section2(b):10yearsaftertheclaimarose,thedefendantonpleadingtheActasadefenceisentitledtoimmunityfromliabilityinrespectoftheclaim
§ Thisisforland,notpersonalty!o Section3(4):thelimitationperiodinsubsection(1)(a)doesnotapplywhereaclaimantseeksaremedialorderfor
therecoveryofpossessiono Subsection(3)(3)(f):aclaimforaremedialorderfortherecoveryofpossessionofrealpropertyariseswhenthe
claimantisdispossessedoftherealpropertyo Section3(6):afterthe10yearperiodthelimitationsperiodhaselapsed.Afterthisperiodtheycannotgain
possessionbyself-help.Enteringthepremisesisofnoconsequenceafterthisperiod.ThereisNOTHINGthatthetitleholdercando
§ Ifyou'rethetitleholder,if10yearstheonlythingyoucandoisselltheland(section3(6)showsthatselfhelpcan'thelpgainpossession)-shouldjusttakeactionpriortothis
Takeaway:
• Limitationperiodistwoyearsfromtimeofactualorconstructivedeliveryforchattels• Limitationperiodis10yearsaftertheclaimaroseforland• Assoonasthetitleownerisdispossessedtheclockstartsrunning• Adversepossessionessentiallymeansthatafter10yearsyourtitleisextinguished
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• Ifsquatteracknowledges,inwriting,thetrueowner’stitletotherealpropertypriortothe10-yearexpirylimitation,squatterlosesitsAPclaim
o InCL,anyacknowledgement(writingororal)willdefeatanadversepossessionclaim• LimitationissuspendedforanytimethatthedefendantfraudulentlyconcealstheAPclaim• Atcommonlaw:Ifyouconcealthefactthatyouareactingastheowner,theclockrestarts
LandTitlesAct,s74 o (1)Whenthe10yearperiodhaselapsedandyouaresuedandgetjudgmentinyourfavour,orarenotsuedbut
arebringingaclaimtoshowyouareinadversepossession,onceyougetconfirmationfromthecourtofyourentitlementtopossessionyoucannowgototheregistrar'sofficetoshowyoucanstay,andtheywillissueyouanewcertificateoftitleinyourname-youbecomethetitleholder
• EffectofLandTitlesAct:Oncethetitleholderisdispossessedtheclockbeginstorun.Ifthereisonetrespasseroraseriesoftrespassersforaseriesoftime,thepersonwhoiscurrentlyinpossessionistheonewhothenholdstheland
o Multiplepeoplecanconstitutecontinuousadversepossessiono Onlytheregisteredclaimsarebindinglegally,andtrespassersclaimsaren'tregisteredontitle
§ Adversepossessionclaimsarenotincludedinthetitle-e.g.ifapersonbuyslandtheycanseetheeasements,etc.butcan'tseethatadversepossessionhasbeenhappeningfor5yearsalready.Whentheypurchasethelandtheygetafreshstartandtheclockstartsoveragain
§ Cannotfileacaveatonthelandforadversepossessionclaimo Aseriesofsquatterscanbeonthelandandestablishadversepossession.Butifduringtheperiodthelandissold
toanewbuyer,thisrestartstheclock• NEEDTOFILEFORTITLEifyouarepossessinglandadverselyafter10years,otherwiseyouarevulnerabletoresale• Rememberthatifyoubuylandyouarealwaysencumberedbyagreements/titlewiththeland• Abolishingadversepossession-itwouldallowfactsonthegroundtotrumpsurveyboundariesthatwereestablishedalong
timeago,importantinthefaceofclimatechange,erosionofland,etc.o ThisisprobablyhappeninginAlbertasoon
MunicipalGovernmentActs609Can'tclaimadversepossessionofcrownormunicipalland
PublicLandsActs4Can'tclaimadversepossessionofcrownormunicipalland
Takeaway#2
• Apersonclaimingadversetitlemustfirsthavepossessorytitle.Havetodothiswithoutsecrecy,withoutpermission,andpeacefully.Thattypeofpossessorytitleisgoodagainsttheworldexceptsomeonewithabettertitle.Someonewhowasthereearlier,ormaybethetitleholder.Thepersonwithpossessorytitlecandefeateventhepersonwiththetitleholder(normallytitleisbetterthanpossession).
• InconsistentusetestnotpartofAlbertadoctrine• Atcommonlawitisestablishedthatapersonacquiringalegalinterestinlandisboundbyallpre-existinglegalinterests
affectingthatland.Thefactthatthesecondinterestwaspurchasedwithoutknowledgeofthepriorentitlementisofnoconsequence.Thesecondlegaltitleholderisbound(firstintimeisfirstinright)
KeefervArillota• Facts:Keefershadaright-of-wayacrossCloy’sland.Keeferbuiltagarageattheendoftheright-of-wayandusedagrassy
area.Cloysstillusedthedrivewayandthegrassysectionoccasionally.Cloydidn’tobjectwhenKeefermovedthegaragefromtherearofhispropertytotherearofthestrip.Cloyoftenusedthedrivewayfortheirtenants,customers,ordeliverytrucks.KeeferhadeasementofgravelstripthatranbetweenbuildingownedbyKeeferandsubsequentlybytheArillottas.Itwasintheirdeed,nonpossessoryright;KeeferusedthegrassyareawithnoobjectionfromCloys,alsothepredecessorstotheArillottas.CloysspentmostoftheyearinFlorida,especiallyinthewinter.
• Issue:Didtherespondents'possessionchallengetherightofthelegalownertomaketheuseofthepropertyhewantedtomakeofit?
• Reasons:o Keefer’sdidn’tinterfereinanywayhowthelandwastobeusedbyowners.o Cloysneverparkedtheircarortruckonthestripofland;theyneverintendedorwantedtousethestripfor
parking
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o Apersonclaimingpossessorytitlemustestablish(1)actualpossessionfortheperiod(2)thatsuchpossessionwaswiththeintentionofexcludingfrompossessiontheownerand(3)discontinuanceofpossessionfortheperiodbytheownerentitledtopossession
o Apossessorytitlecannotbeacquiredagainstapersonbydeprivingthemoftheusesoftheirpropertythattheyneverintendedorintendedtomakeofit.The"animuspossidendi"(&thetest)whichapersonclaimingapossessorytitlemusthaveisanintentiontoexcludetheownerfromsuchusesastheownerwantstomakeofhisproperty
o Therespondentsfailin(2)and(3)-theKeefer’sneverintendedtoousttheCloyso ConstructivepossessionoftheownerswasdisplacedbytheactualpossessionoftheKeefer’s,butasfarasthe
balanceofthestrip,theownersmadeasmuchuseastheywanted.Itstripwasusedtoaccesstheapartment.Cloysdidn’tusethefullwidthofthestripbutconstructivepossessionofthewholepropertyisnotoustedsimplybecauseheisnotinactualpossessionofthewhole
• Holding:Appealallowed.Respondentswereentitledtoadeclarationthattheappellants’titlehasbeenextinguishedonlywithrespecttothatpartofthelandoccupiedbytherespondent’sgarage
• Ratio:PossessionofpartispossessionofthewholeifthepossessoristhelegalownerTeisvAncaster(Town)(1997)
• Facts:TheTeisclaimedpossessorytitletotwostripsofland-the"ploughedstrip"andthe"laneway"locatedontheedgeofapublicparkownedbythetown,mainlyusedtoplaybaseball.Forover10yearsboththeTeisandtheTownmistakenlybelievedthattheTeisownedthesestripsofland.
• Issue:Doesapersonclaimingpossessorytitlehavetoshowinconsistentusewhenboththeclaimantandthepapertitleholdermistakenlybelievethattheclaimantownsthelandindispute?
• Ratio:Inconsistentusetestdoesn’tapplywhenthereismutualmistake
ADVERSEPOSSESSIONOFCHATTELSAdispossessesO(owner)–AtransferschatteltoB–BtransferstoC–OdemandsfromC
• LimitationsAct:doesNOTextinguishTITLEattheendoftheperiod(2yearsinAlberta),itonlyextinguishesACTIONSo Testsofopen/notoriousnotapplicabletopersonaltyb/cifyouweredeprivedofthisanditschangedhands,how
wouldyouknowthatsomeoneisopenlyandnotoriouslywearingyourpossession?• Becausethereisnoexpressprovisionfortheextinguishmentoftitleattheendoftheperiod,thechancetobringanaction
isneverlostbecausethetitleownercanalwaysbringanewactionagainstthenewpossessor
BarbareevBilo(1991)• Facts:B1ownedamotorcycle.In1985A(B1'sestrangedspouse)tookthebike.Thetwoyearlimitationperiodgoverning
actionsbetweenB1andAexpiredin1987.In1990AsoldthebiketoB2.B1thensuedforitsreturn• ItwasheldthattheactionwastenablebecauseoncethepropertywaspassedtoB2,thelimitationforanactionagainsthim
beginstorunanewsincehehascommittedafreshconversion(eventhoughthetwo-yearlimitationperiodinwhichanactivitycouldbelaunchedagainstAhadexpired)
• LimitationsperiodhasexpiredbutthecourtsaysthatthewifeisstilltheownerandthereforewhenBilorefusestogiveitback,thisisafreshactofconversionbyBilo
• Nowthewifehasafreshlimitationperiodtopursueactionagainsthim.Oncesheseeksherremedialorderhemustgivethemotorcyclebacktoher
• LimitationsActdoesnotEXTINGUISHtitleattheendoftheperiod,itonlyextinguishesactions-sheisbarredfrombringingaclaimagainstherhusband,butnotbarredfrombringingaclaimagainstBilo
• Ratio:o Heretheeffectofrunningtheperioddidnotextinguishtheoriginalowner'stitleo ClockneverendsinAlberta
O’KeeffevSnyder(1980)• Facts:Throughouta30yearperiodthewhereaboutsofherpaintinghadbeenunknowntotheplaintiff• Issue:couldanactionbebroughtin1976torecoverapaintingthathadbeenstolenin1946?• Itwasheldthatthelimitationperiodshouldcommencetorunonlywhenthecauseofaction,includingthepartyagainst
whompossessionissought,waspropertydiscoverable(evenifnotdiscovered)bytheplaintiff.Theperiodisnotinterruptedbyatransferofthepropertybyonewrongfulpossessortoanother
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• Holding:Courtholdsthatifanartistdiligentlyseekstherecoveryoflostorstolenartbutcan'tdiscoverthelocationandidentityofthethiefofpossessor,thenthestatuteoflimitationsdoesn’tbegintorun
o Withpersonalty,thefocusisontheconductoftheowner!Versusonlandthefocusisonconductofthepersoninadversepossession
• Heretheeffectofrunningtheperiodmeantthatthetitleoftheoriginalownernolongerexists• Ratio:
• Discoveryrule:clockrunsagainstO’Keefeonlywhenshefirstkneworreasonablyshouldhaveknownusingduediligence,thecauseofaction,includingtheidentityofthepersoninpossession.
o Shiftstheburdentothetrueownertoshowtheyhavetriedtolocatetheirstolenpropertyandsubsequentlytriedtorecoverit
o ThiefcanacquiretitleintimeTakeaway
• Thiefhaspossessorytitletogive,notgoodtitle.Thisiswhatthebuyerwouldacquire.NewJerseygoeswiththediscoveryrule(couldtheyhavediscoveredtheidentityofthepersonandlocation),whereBilosaysthatonceyoumakeafreshdemandandthepersonrefuses,theclockresets
• EssentiallynoadversepossessionofpersonaltyinAlbertao Noprovisionbarringthepersonwithtitlefromselfhelpwithpersonalty,unlikeforland
• BecauseweonlyhaveonelawonthisAlberta,itisn'tcompletelysettled
GIFTS
• Gift:atransferofpropertywithoutconsiderationo Agiftislegallydistinctfrom:
§ Acontractualpromise(isenforceable)§ Apromisetogiveagift(notenforceable)
o Itmaybemadeofanyinterestinrealorpersonalproperty,includingintangibles• Giftsbymode:
1. Intervivos:agiftduringone’slife2. Testamentarygifts(legaciesanddevises)
a. Adeviseisagrantoflandbywillb. Legacy/bequestisagiftofpersonaltybywill
3. Mortiscausa:giftsincontemplationofdeath
INTERVIVOSGIFTSPerfectingagiftofpersonalpropertyintervivosrequires:
1) Donativeintent2) Delivery3) Acceptance(relaxed)
Otherwaystogive:1. Bydeedofgift
a. E.g.ifarelativewantstotransfermoneyintoyouraccount,thebankmightwanttoknowthisisagiftandrequiredocumentation.Thisdeedshowsthis,itissigned,sealed,anddeliveredtoshowthatitisagiftandthedonorwon'twantitback
2. Bydeclarationoftrusta. Apersonhastitleinthecourtofthelaw,butsomeoneelseisactuallythebeneficiaryofthetitle.Onepersoncanhold
thepropertyinnameonly,butthebeneficialtitlebelongstosomeoneelse.Needtosignadeclarationoftrusttoshowthis
NolanvNolan&Anor(2003)• Facts:CaseconcernstheownershipofthreepaintingsbytheartistSidneyNolan.Theplaintiffwashisdaughterbyadoption
andclaimedthatSidneyhadmadeagiftofthepaintingstohermother,CynthiaNolan,beforeherdeath.FollowingCynthia'sdeaththethreepaintingsessentiallyremainedinSidney'spossessionuntilhisdeath.Theplaintiffallegedproofof
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theclaimthatagifthadbeenmadetohermotherlargelybasedondocumentsfromexhibitionsthathadrecentlycometolight
• Issue:DidSidneyNolangiveCynthiaNolanthepaintingsasagift?• Reasons:
o Intentiontomakeagift:§ Donativeintentionischaracteristicallyaccompaniedbywordsofgiftwhichevincetheintentionand
delineatetheobjectandextentoftheintendedbenefaction• Wordsofgiftareusuallynecessarytoachievethatcertaininrelationtomatterssuchasdefining
theextentofthebenefitthedonorintendstoconfer§ BUTdonativeintentdoesn'tneedtobemanifestedbywordsofgift-unusualcircumstancesmaybe
imaginedwhereothermeansfulfilthosefunctions(onusisthenonthewould-bedonee)§ Atanystageuntildeliveryoccurs,thedonorcanvalidlyretractthegift§ Apromisetomakeagift,oranexpressionofgiftbywordsoffutureintention(howeverclearand
unqualified)isnotsufficienttoestablishaperfectgift§ Theelementofdeliveryneedstobesatisfiedinordertogivecompleteeffecttothedonativeintention§ Needtobecautiouswhendeterminingclaimsmadeagainsttheestateofadeceasedperson
o Delivery§ Deliveryisthelegalactessentialtocompletethegift.Transferspossessionandownershiptothedonee§ Avaliddeliverymarkstheterminationofthedonor'sdominion-continuationofcontrolorpowerinthe
donorisinconsistentwithavaliddeliveryandthusinconsistentwithaperfectgift(needtorelinquishallcontrol!)
§ Deliverycanbeactual(manualorphysicaltransferofgoods)orconstructive(cantakevariousformswherethenatureorbulkofthegoodsrendersmanualdeliveryimpossibleorimpractical)
§ Deliverycanprecedemanifestationofintent;confluencerequired• Wheredeliverytakesplacesubsequently,itisnecessarytoestablishthatthepreviously
expresseddonativeintentisstillpresentwhendeliveryoccurred.Alsonecessarytoestablishthatthechattelswerealreadyinpossessionofthepurporteddoneeatthetimewhenthewordsofgiftwereexpressedordonativeintentwasmademanifest
§ Wherethechattelthesubjectmatterofaparolgiftisalreadyinpossessionofthedoneeatthetimethegiftwasmade,afurtherdeliveryorachangeofpossessionisunnecessary
o Deliveryincommonestablishments§ E.g.inReColewherethehusbandtakeshisnewwifetotheirnewhouseandsayseverythinginitishers,
butsincetheyliveinthesameplacethereisnodeliveryorchangeinpossession• Inthiscasetheyshouldgetadeedofgifttoshowthetransfer• Needsomethingmore• Possessionisequivocal
§ Wordsaren’tgenerallysufficienttoperfectagift–inordinarycircumstancesbothwordsanddeliveryarerequired
• Here,relaxingthevisibleactwouldbe“dangerous”,leavingonlytheoralrequirement
AlbertaEvidenceAct,s.11• Section11holdsthatyoucan’trelyonyourownevidencetoprovedonativeintent• Needcorroborationbecauseifthedonorisdeceasedyourowninformationisinsufficient• Thisevidencemustbematerial!E.g.takeapicture
DONATIOMORTISCAUSA
• Donatiomortiscausaisagiftincontemplationofdeatho Thisissomethingthecommonlawrecognizeswhentheownerofapropertyisingreatperilandfacingimminent
death,anddoesn’thavethetimeorpossibilityofmakingavalidwill• Basicelements:
o Impendingdeathfromanexistingperil;o Delivery;ando Giftisonlytotakeeffectuponthedeathofthedonor
• Hastobesomeformofdelivery,butdeliveryiscontextual–somethingsaren’tpossibletobedoneinthecircumstances
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ReBayoffEstate• Facts:BayoffhadpreparedavalidwillinSeptember,1997.Onhisdeathbed,hemadeMs.Simardtheexecutrixofhiswill.
BayoffgavehissafetydepositboxkeytoSimardandsaid“everythingthereisyours”.Bayoffaskedhertocleanoutthisboxandsignedanauthorizationform.However,thebankrefusedheraccessabsentfurtherdocumentation.Beforeshewasabletoobtainsuchdocumentation,Bayoffhadpassedaway.Giventhatshewastheexecutrix,shesubsequentlyreceivedthecontentsofthebox
• Issue:DidBayoffmakeadonatiomortiscausa(giftincontemplationofdeath)?• Reasons:
o Inthiscaseitisnotaconditionalgift,soprobablyisn’tvalidbecauseofthetimedelayo Thisisn’tanintervivosgiftbecausethedeliverywasnotgoodenoughforthis(wouldhaverequiredfillingoutthe
bankforms),althoughdeliveryWASgoodenoughfordonationmortiscausao BUTthereisanexceptionundertheruleinStrongvBird,if:
§ Thedonorintendsanintervivosgift;and§ Thatintentioncontinueduntilafterdeath;and§ Thegiftisundelivered;and§ Thedoneetakeslegaltitletothedonor’sestateasthenamedexecutor(oradministrator)§ THENthedoneecanperfectthegift
• Holding:TheoralgiftwasvalidRelaxingthedeliveryrequirement:
Constructivedelivery• Changeincapacityofpossession• Deliveryofmeansofaccessandcontrollikelysufficientif:
o Donordoesnotretainaccessorcontrolando Actualdeliveryisimpractical
• Basicallytryingtomakeagiftofsomethingincircumstanceswheredeliveryisnotpracticalorfeasibleo E.g.isdeliveryofkeyssufficient?Whatelsecouldthedonorhavedonetodeliver?Isthistheonlysetofkeys,is
thereanyresidualcontrolovertheasset?
Symbolicdelivery• Probablyinsufficienttomakeagift
CHAPTER4:DOCTRINEOFESTATES
INTRODUCTIONANDGENERALNOTES- Anestateconfersasegmentofownershipasmeasuredbytime- “ANESTATEINTHELANDISATIMEINTHELAND,ORLANDFORATIME,WHICHARENOMORETHANDIVERSITIESOFTIME”
o Feesimpleisthegreatest,signifieslandforperpetuityx. Whycreateestatesinland?Thelawofestatesistheproductofthetensionbetweenautonomyandutility.
- Autonomy(deadhandcontrol):wantestatetopasstowidowandthentothechildren- Utility:torealizetheeconomicpotential,promotetrade,andencouragestewardshipoftheland(EllicksonfromReader)
o Promotetrade:usingthetimeaxis,wecancarveuptheestateandsellittothosewhovalueitmore.o Avoidoverexploitationoftheland
CreationofEstates–2Methods
- Byoperationoflaw(e.g.TheDowerAct).- Orbyaninstrument(adeviseoragrantintervivos)
o ThetypeofestatecreatedisafunctionofthelanguageusedCommonLawEstatesinCanada(+Copyholdestate)1. Freeholdestates:feesimple,lifeestate,feetail–ownedbyafreeholder,whohasliability/tenurialobligationstothecrown.
a. Recoursetothecommonlawcourtstoreinforcetheirpossession.
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b. Seisin–thepersonwhoisseizedofanestateisthepersonwhoisliableforthefeudalservicesandfeudalincidents.Noabeyanceofseisinisallowed(todaynolongerneeddeliveryofseisin)
c. Commonlawrightsinland2. Leasehold
a. Voluntaryarrangementbetweenalandlordandatenant.b. Thatleaseisnotmerelyapersonright;itisanestateinlandthatcanbetransferred,andalltherulesofpropertyapply
tothatestate.c. Personwhohasaninterestisnotafreeholder,theyholdofthelandlord
3. CopyholdEstatea. NeverinCanada
Freeholdestates1. Feesimple2. Lifeestate–lifetenant3. Feetail(allbutextinct,abolishedinAlberta)EstateinFeeTail
- FeeTailhasbeenabolishedinAlberta(LawofPropertyAct,s9)-anyattempttocreateafeetailwillcreateafeesimple.- Purpose:tokeeppropertyinthefamily(“ToAandtheheirsofhisbody”etc…)- Policyforabolishing
Problemsoffeetail
- BarringtheTail:aprocessbywhichthecourtwouldenlargethefeetailandmakeitafeesimplebecausetheygiveanestateoflimitedvalue
- StrictSettlement:Maleheirgetsalifeestateinsteadsohedoesn’tsquandertheestateESTATEINFEESIMPLEAnestateofpotentiallyinfiniteduration.Theestatepassestoanylivingbloodrelative(ifintestate)orasdevisedinawill.Ifneitherexists,propertyrevertsbacktotheCrownviaescheat-UltimateHeirsAct.
o Ifapersonintheprovincediesandhasnoheirs,itwillreverttotheprovincialcrownviatheUnclaimedPersonalPropertyandVestedPropertyActs15(e).
o Canbedividedintosmallerestateso Isfullyalienable–StatuteQuiaEmptoresandStatuteofWills
o PriortoSQE,hadtoreceivepermissionfromsuperiors.After,tenantscouldbuyandsellinterestsandestates.o StatuteofWillsaffirmsthatlandownerscandesignatewhoevertheychooseastheirrightfulheir
Devise=passestheestateindeathGrant=intervivos(duringhislifetime)Remainder=upondeathoflifetenant,possessionoffeesimplegoestotheownerofremainder
- OnlyendswhentherearenolegalheirsCREATIONATCOMMONLAW
“MAGICWORDS”–requiredtograntfeesimpleintervivosatcommonlaw–needthesewordstocreateafeesimple:“ToAandher(orhis)heirs”.“ToA”denoteswhoitgoesto,and“andher(orhis)heirs”denotesthenatureoftheestategiven,namelyfeesimple.
- WordsofPurchase:“ToA”describesrecipientoftheproperty- WordsofLimitation:“andherheirs”denotesthedurationofthestategranted
o Heirshavenorights/entitlements,butmereexpectancy(spessuccessions)o Lineofheirsisjustabasisofmeasurement
- Ex:“ToAinfeesimple”–ifintervivos,wouldbealifeestateo Note,ifinawillàfeesimple(Forpolicyreasons,cannotcorrectbecauseyouaredead)
ModernPositioninAlberta
- Inmostjurisdictionstodaythe“magicwords”arenolongeressentialtocreateafeesimpleestate–nowdependsontheintentionsofthetestatorasadvancedbythelanguage
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- Alberta’sLawofPropertyAct,s.7(1):intheabsenceofwordsoflimitation,theentireestateistransferred,unlessacontraryintentionissuggestedbytheinstrument(e.g.ifIhadafeesimple,yougetafeesimpleunlessthereisanalternateindicationpresent)
o SameasinWillsandSuccessionAct,s9(2)–Ifyouleavepropertytosomeparty,allofyourrightsinitaretransferredtothemupondeath.
- “ToA”isalwayspresumedtograntafeesimpleo Presumptionoffeesimplethatcanberebuttedbyshowinggrantor’strueintent.
THELIFEESTATE–TenantforLifeClassification–3Types1.Conventional(pursavie&purautrevie)“ToAforlife(foraslongasshewishes/tohaveanduseduringherlifetime)”(pursavie–forhisorherownlife)“ToAforthelifeofB”(purautrevie–forthelifeofsomeoneelse)
- Bisthecestuiquevie,i.e.merelythemeasuringlife,nointerest- Morethanonepersoncanbechosenasthecestuiquevie
“Bhasafeesimpleinreversion”- Assoonasterm(life)isup,rightsarereturnedtooriginalparty.
“ToAforlife,thentoB”- BothAandB’srightscreated/vestimmediately- Estatescanbetransferredatanytime,butonlytheentitledportioncanbetransferred- Grantorhasafeesimpleinreversion- Transferablebutmeasuringlifeisfixed
2.ByOperationofLaw(dower,curtesy,homestead,remedial)
A. Dower–CommonLaw–ifwidowisnotdevised,sheisgrantedalifeestateinthematrimonialhomeB. Curtesy–CommonLaw–ifwidowerwasnotdevisedanythingbyhiswife,heisgrantedalifeestateinthematrimonial
homeC. Homestead–CommonLaw–dowerabolishedin1880’sinprairies-insteadfamilyhomeisexemptfromseizureby
creditors,non-owningspousecanpreventdispositionsofthehomeandhasalifeestateafterdeathofownerD. Remedial–lifeestategrantedasacourtorderedremedy
3.Byoperationofafaultypurportedgrantofanestateinfeesimple Technique:DrawInterestsonaTimelineEg1-Ogrants“toAforlife”|----LifeEstate(A)----|----FeeSimpleinReversion(O)----|Eg2-Odevises“toAforlife”|-----lifeestate(A)-----|----feesimpleinreversion(O’sestate)----|Eg3-Ograntsto“Aforlife”thentoBforlifethentoC|----lifeestate(A)----|----lifeestateB----|----feesimpleinremainder(C)----|REPUGNANCY:interpretinginconsistentgiftovers(isitalifeestateorfeesimple?)Rule:Inthecaseofwills,itis“tritelaw”thatthecourt’sjobistogiveeffecttothetestator’sintentions.Ex.“ToAinfeesimple,butshouldanythingremainundisposedofbyAthentoB"Or.“ToAabsolutelyandforeverduringherlifetime”3PotentialSolutions
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A) TreatgifttoAasfeesimpleanddiscardsubsequentstipulationsasrepugnantB) Cutthegiftdowntoalifeestate,remaindergoingtodoneesofsubsequentgiftC) “PowertoEncroach”–thefirstgiftisalifeestatewiththepowertoencroachontheremainder
o Mayallowthelifetenanttooverreachthelifeinterestandtakeactionssuchasmortgagingorleasingthepropertyduringtheirlifetime
REPUGNANCY1:ReWalker[1924]irreconcilablewill–repugnancy–lifeestateorfeesimpleFacts:Deceasedlefthiswife“allmyrealandpersonalproperty”withanyportionofestate“undisposedofafterhiswife’sdeath,meanttogotohisnephews.Issue:Whatdidthetestatorintend?Cancourtslawfullygiveeffecttothatintention?Decision:Foundanabsolutegift–wifegetsfeesimple.Reasons:Courttriedtofindthedominant/paramountintention.Caseprovidesverylittlereasoningastohowtodeterminethedominantintentofthetestator.ProblembecauseWalkerclearlyintendedtobenefittwosetsofbeneficiaries,andthecourt’sinterpretationmeansonlyonebeneficiaryisfavoured.Thegifttothewifeisforallrightsincidenttoownershipandthenalsoattemptstogiverisetotheremainderwhichisirreconcilable.Ratio:Sometimesthetrueintentionofthetestatormaybeimpossibletofulfill
REPUGNANCY2:ReTaylor–notfeesimplejustbecauseofpowertoencroachoncapitalFacts:“Igive,devise,andbequeathallmyrealandpersonalestateofwhichImaydiepossessedtomywifeKathleen,tohaveanduseduringherlifetime.Anyestate,ofwhichshemaybepossessedatthetimeofherdeathistobedividedequallybetweenmydaughters…”But,wifethenalsoleftdirections.Issue:Wasthewifeentitledunderanabsoluteinterestorwassheonlygrantedalifeinterest?Decision:“Duringherlifetime”serveaswordsoflimitation.Willrevealedintentionoflifeestate.Justbecausesheisallowedtoencroachindefinitelyonestate(shecouldsellthepropertyoranythingduringherlifetime),still,itdoesn’tresultinanabsoluteinterest.Ratio:whereintentionoftestatorisplainandclear,courtmustgiveeffecttoitwithoutbeingdivertedbyrulesofconstruction.Powerofencroachmentisprimafacielimitedtoreasonablemaintenance.Regardlessofhowextensivethepowerofencroachmentmaybe,thisdoesnotextendtofeesimple
REPUGNANCY3:ChristensenvMartin–intentionsbasedoncircumstances,languageofwholewillFacts:Husbanddiesandgiveshousetowife“forheruseuntilshenolongerneedsit,thengiveittotheChristensens.”Issue:Whataretheparties’respectiveinterestsintheproperty?Decision:Martinireceiveslifeestatewithnopowertoencroach.ThegiftovertotheChristensensdoesnotallowthemtobecomeregisteredownersrightaway.“Saidproperty”indicatesthathewantedtogivelifeestateWITHOUTpowertoencroach.Ratio:Courttriestogiveeffecttothetestator'sintentionsasascertainedfromthelanguage,considerationsofthewholewill,andexternalcircumstances5possibilities
1. AbsolutegifttoM,hopethatwouldgivelatertoCs2. DeterminablefeesimpletoM,giftovertoCs3. ConditionalfeesimpletoM,giftovertoCs4. LifeestatetoMwithorwithoutpowertoencroach,giftovertoCs(Courtchosewithout)5. LicenseofoccupationtoM,giftovertoCs
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RIGHTS&RESPONSIBILITIESOFLIFETENANTS&REMAINDERPERSONS
DOCTRINEOFWASTE–lifetenantandremainderperson,orco-ownersofproperty.
- Concernthatlifetenantsmaybringdownvalue,becauseinterestedinmaximizingshort-termenjoyment- Doctrinepreventslifetenantfromactingunreasonablyorinterferingwiththeremainderperson’sinterest
4Categories:
- Ameliorating:actsthatenhancethevalueofpropertyo Wasactionableatcommonlaw,butgenerallynotactionabletoday.o Contrarytojustificationsofprivateproperty–efficiency,utilitarianism
- Voluntary:activeinjuriousconductthatdiminishesvalueofthelandinthelongruno Canbeharmfulevenifdonewithgoodintentionso E.g.movingfixtures,cuttingyoungtrees,openingnewmines,over-cultivation
§ Canadianexception:notwastefultocultivate/cleartreesforcertainrepairso Thisisactionable-lifetenantisliabletotheremainderpersonunlessthegiftstatesotherwise
- Permissive:damageresultingfromthefailuretopreserveorrepairproperty.o Alifetenantisnotimpeachableforthiskindofwasteunlessthegiftimposesanexpressdutytorepairo I.e.Inactionbythelifetenantisnotactionable.
- Equitable:awardedwhendestructionisextremelyseverefromreckless,wantonandmaliciousacts.o Presumablytheonlytypeofwastethatcan’tbeexcludedo LawofPropertyAct,s.71àlifeestatedoesnotconferonlifetenant,therighttocommitequitablewaste,unless
expressedclearlyoninstrumentcreatingtheestate.OtherApplicationsofWasteDoctrine
- LawofPropertyAct,s.29-32:Appliestodowress,tenantforlifeforyears,guardiansofaminor,lessees,&sharedownership(tenantsincommonandjointtenantsareliabletotheirco-tenant)
PowersvPowersEstate-Recurringexpensesbornebylifetenant;capitalexpensesbornebyestateFacts:Deceasedgivesmotherequitablelifeestate,withpowertoencroachformaintenanceoftheestateONLY.Issue:Towhatextentistheestateobligedtopayforrepairstoproperty?Divisionofcosts:
- CostofHeating-lifetenantoutoftheincome- Repairs-ifnecessaryforpreservationofbuildingormaintainproperty-payoutofcapital
o Replacementoffurnace,fences,etc…- Repairs-ifrecurrentorperiodical-paidforoutofincome(lawncare,painting)- Insurance-generallydependsonpurposeofinsuranceinvolved
o Furnaceinsurance-notrequiredforpreservation–onlyiftheinsuranceisforbenefitofremaindermanwillthecostofpremiumsbebornebycapital
§ Trusteesmustinsureagainstlossbyfire,premiumscomeoutofincome- Mortgagepayments-interestportioncomesoutofincome,buttheprincipalportionoutofcapital- Propertytaxes-recurringpayment–income
Bestsolutionforthissituation:createatrustwherethetrusteehasfiduciarydutiestomanagetheestateinaccordancewiththesettlor’sinstructions,trusteecanthenproperlyorderdivisionofcosts
- Trusteehasthelegalestate;beneficiaryhastheequitableestate- Evenbetter:useajointtrustee;thefeesimplerevertstoothertrusteeondeath,oruseatrustcompany
GENERALPOWERSOFALIENATION
- WillsActs.3àlifetenantcansell/leasethelifeestatetoanother,buttheestatestillexpiresondeathofthemeasuringbody
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DOCTRINEOFDOWER• OLD:Gaveawidowanlifeestatein1/3ofhusband’srealproperty• Abolishedin1886inAlberta-nowidowisentitledtodowerexceptasprovidedbyTheDowerAct
TheDowerActWhataretherights?s.1(c)
1. Vetorighttonon-owningspousetopreventdispositionofthehome2. Confersalifeestateonthesurvivingspouseinthehomestead(devisespostponed)3. Protectionfromcreditors(nowdealtwithintheCivilEnforcementAct)
WhodoestheActapplyto?
- Genderneutralsince1948- Onlyappliestomarriedcouples–mustbelegallymarried,rightsendondivorce
o NottointerdependentadultpartnershipsWhatdoestheActapplyto?
- Homesteadss.1(d)–parceloflandonwhichthedwellinghouseoccupiedbytheowner,limitedto4adjoiningresidentiallots(inatown/city)oronequartersectionofruralland
- Excludeslandownedbymarriedpersontogetherwiththirdparty(s.25)o Ifjusthusbandandwife,Dowerappliess.25(2)
- Canextendtominesandminerals(s.24)- Appliestoleaseholdsifalong-termlease- Canhavemorethanonehomesteads.3(1)àaslongasyouhavelivedineachhome.
Whatifthewilldevisesthehomesteadtosomeoneelse?
- Lifeestatetakesprecedenceoverthewill(s.18)o Ifown2ormorehomesteads,survivingspousemustelectonehomesteadss.19-20o Alsoappliestosomepersonalproperty(s.23)
§ Includestheitemsthatareexemptfromseizure–i.e.householdfurnishingsandappliancesuptoamonetarylimit
Whatdoesproperconsentlooklike?
- Ifpurchasing,requestthisconsentatthebeginningofthedeal(sosellercannotbackout)- S.4-Consentshallbecontainedinorannexedtotheinstrumentbywhichthedispositioniseffectedintheprescribedform- S.5-thespousemustunderstandtherightsthattheyarereleasingbyconsent(Acknowledgement)- Evenifnotmarried,adoweraffidavitmustbesignedbytheowner
WhenisconsentNOTrequired?
- Leasesunder3years- Ifgettingseparated,as.7agreementcanreleasedowerrightswithoutacourtorder- Courtscandispensewithconsentunders.10ofTheDowerAct
o (5)TheCourtmaybyorderdispensewiththeconsentofthespouseifintheopinionoftheCourtitappearsfairandreasonableunderthecircumstancestodoso.
o (6)TheCourtmaymaketheorderwithorwithoutimposingconditionsDoweneedDowertoday?
- ManyotherprovinceshaveabolishedDowerbecauseotherprotectionsforwidowsexist- Albertakeepsitbecauseoftheconsentprovisions
o Althoughdesignedtopreservethelandforalifeestate,theconsentprovisionsarevaluableforspousalcontrolduringtheirlives
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CHAPTER5:ABORIGINALRIGHTSINLAND
- AboriginalrightsareentrenchedintheConstitutionActs35andpre-dateEuropeansettlement- RoyalProclamation,1763:reservedlandforAboriginals,onlyCrowncanpurchasefromthem- BothaboriginallawANDcommonlawconceptsofpossessionmustbeconsidered- Doctrine of Discovery: Principle of international law underwhich European governments could assert sovereignty over
territorypriortootherEuropeansovereigns(regardlessofthepresenceofpriorindigenousgroups)- Asunderstoodatcommonlaw,discoverygavethegovernmenttherighttogoverntheterritory,aswellastheunderlyingor
radicaltitletotheland.- TerraNullius–definedaslandbelongingtonoone.MostBritishcolonieswerenottreatedasterranullius.
o SomeBritishterritoriessettledinthe19thcenturiesweretreatedasterranullius,includingBCandAustralia.- TheRoyalProclamation,1763formallyrecognizedanaboriginallegalinterestinpartoftheterritorythatbecomesCanada.
o AlsoprovidedthatthislandcouldonlybetransferredtotheCrownviaatreaty- Constitutionallimitations:
o CrownconstrainedbythedutyandhonouroftheCrownandsec.35rights(rightsrecognizedandaffirmed)o Sec.35extendstopropertyrights.After1982Aboriginalrightscannotbeextinguishedo Sparrowheldthatsec.25rightsarenotinviolable–oncethestateactioninfringestheright,theCrownmustshow
justificationAboriginalLawvs.IndigenousLaw
• Aboriginallaw:thelawoftheCanadianstateinrelationtoaboriginalpeopleso Includescommonlawdoctrineslikeaboriginalrightsandtitle,treatyrights,s.35andlegislation(IndianAct)
• Indigenouslaw:thelawoftheparticularindigenousgroupso Includes Indigenous legal traditions that canoftenbe tracedback tobeforecontact,e.g. traditionalGitxan land
tenureprincipleso AlsoincludesformallawsenactedbyIndigenouscommunitiesexercisingself-governmentpowers
§ E.g.afirstnationlandcodeenactedundertheFirstNationsLandManagementAct
Calder(1973)• Whensettlerscame,Indianswerealreadythereàtheirrightsalreadyexisted
Guerin(1984)• Introducesthe“thehonouroftheCrown”–CrownhasafiduciarydutytoAboriginals.
Tenureunderstatutoryregimes:
• IndianAct• FirstNationsLandManagementAct• MetisSettlementsAct(AB)
TenureunderModernTreaties&Self-GovernmentAgreements:
• E.g.Nisga’aFinalAgreementprovidesforfeesimpleinterestinlandunderNisga’ajurisdictionCustomaryinterestsinlandwithinparticularindigenouscommunitiesFeaturesofAboriginallandasSuiGeneris(Oneofakind,unique)Title(DelgamuukwvBC)
- Aboriginallandisinalienable(excepttoCrown,)indivisible(heldcommunally)andAboriginaltitlepre-datessovereignty- Can’tuselandascollateralandcan’tuselandinawaythatisinconsistentwiththepracticesthatgroundtheclaimtotitle
(but,atthesametime,notrestrictedtotraditionalnativeuses)o IndianActstatesthatreservelandscanbeusedforanypurposethatcontributestothegeneralwelfareofthe
bando Remediesforinconsistentuse:groupcouldforfeittheirclaimorCrowncouldgetaninjunctionagainstthatuse
- TheseconstraintsputAboriginaltitleatadisadvantagerelativetofeesimple
ProvingAboriginalTitle(Tsilhqot’inNationvBC–nomadicnationclaimslargeswatheofland)
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1. Sufficientoccupancyoftheland:priortoandatthetimeofBritishsovereignty
o ClaimantsmustestablishaconnectiontothegroupoccupyingthelandatBritishoccupation2. ContinuitybetweenBritishsovereigntyandpresent
o Noneedforanunbrokenchainofcontinuity3. ExclusiveconnectionwiththelandmaintainedandpresentatthedeclarationofBritishsovereignty
o Excludedothergroups,grantedpermissiontopassoverland,signingtreatieso Wherethereisonlyonegroupclaimingpossession,onlyminimalpossessionisnecessary
§ Thestandardofpossessioniscontextualandflexible§ Evidenceincludesdwellings,regularuseforhunting,closureoffields,cultivation
- Oralevidenceisacceptedincasesinvolvingaboriginaltitle- Significantpresenceisnotrequired,minimalcontrolofterritoryisusuallysufficientsolongastheAboriginalgroupcan
definebordersthroughdwellings/cultivationoffields- Titlecomesfromtheuniqueestateinland,suisgeneris.WasformallyrecognizedintheRoyalProclamationbutthisdidnot
createit
AboriginalRightsShortofTitle- Non-possessory,site-specificrights:fishing,hunting,ceremonies,etc.- Thecentralityandsignificanceofthepracticetothegroup’sculturemustbedemonstrated
o MusthaveexistedpriortocontactwithEuropeanso Customs/traditionsthatarosesolelyasaresponsetoEuropeaninterventiondonotcount
ExtinguishmentofTitle1. Rightscanbeextinguishedundertheprincipleofsovereigntybyaclear,unilateralactbyparliament.
a. Nolongervalid,Charters.35(1)preventsthisunilateralact2. Surrenderoftheland(bilateral)–mostaccepted3. Bonafidepurchaserforvalue?Maybe.(ChippewasofSarnia)
o Mustprovethedefendantisagood-faithpurchaserforvalueoftheland,thenaboriginalrightsmaybeextinguishedwithoutconsentandwithoutparliament’sintervention
JustifyingInfringementsofAboriginalTitle1. Infringementoftheaboriginalrightmustbeinfurtheranceofalegislativeobjectivethatiscompellingandsubstantial
a. Conservation,generaleconomicdevelopment,agriculture,forestry,mining,hydroelectricpower,infrastructure,settlementofforeignpopulations
2. TheinfringementmustbeconsistentwiththespecialfiduciaryrelationshipbetweentheCrownandaboriginalpeoples(proportionalitytest)
a. Mustconsiderfuturegenerationsofaboriginalpeopleb. Doctrineofpriority-governmentmusttakeaboriginalrightsintoaccountandallocateresourcesinarespectful
manner,butmustbalancewithrestofsociety’sinterest3. DutyofconsultationandaccommodationbasedonhonouroftheCrowntoactingoodfaith
a. Scopevariesonaspectrumbasedonstrengthoftheclaimandseriousnessofadverseimpacttoaboriginalpeoples,butataminimummustactingoodfaith
HaidaNationCase–Honourofcrown–dutytoconsultFacts:GovernmenttransferredloggingrightstoaprivatecompanyforapieceoflandthatHaidaaboriginalgrouphadanunsettledclaimtoDecision:DutytoconsultemergesassoonastheCrownknowsofapotentialcredibleclaimbyanAboriginalgroup.Correspondingdutyonaboriginalpeoplestobringforwardclearclaimsstatingthenatureoftheirinterests.Dutytoconsult:Amountofconsultationrequiredinagivencontextisafunctionofthedegreeoftheencroachment.
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- Minimum=discussion/notice&disclosingofinformation- Maximum=findaninterimsolution,formalparticipationinthedecision-makingprocess,writtenreasonstodemonstrate
thataboriginalinterestshavebeenproperlyaddressed
LegislationRe:AboriginalRightsConstitutionAct,1982–s.35“theexistingaboriginalandtreatyrightsoftheaboriginalpeoplesofCanadaareherebyrecognizedandaffirmed”
• Protectedaboriginalrightscannolongerbeextinguishedbyaunilateralacts.91(24):ResponsibilityofIndiansandIndianlandsareexclusivetoParliamentIndianReserves:auniquesystemoflandholdingundertheIndianActwhereabandgainspossessionoftheland.Thebandallotsindividualparcelstomembersofthebandwhoholdunderacertificateofpossession.Theserightscanbedevisedbywill,andcanbetransferredinprincipaltoanothermemberofthegroupbutonlywithconsentofthecounsel.
- Holderforfeitsrightsifheleavesandthelandgoesbacktothecounsel.- Matrimonialactanddoweractdonotapplytothereserve(noprotectionforspouse).
ThreetypesofMetisrights:1. MetisTitle–righttooccupyandmakeimprovements,build,develop.Theserightscanbetransferred&devised,&lesser
interestcanalsobegranted(i.e.lease)2. ProvisionalMetisTitle–grantedforafixedtermwhichcanberenewed;iftheprovisionaltitleholdermeetscertaincriteriathey
canacquire“MetisTitle”(wouldhavetouseitappropriatelyinaccordancew/thewishesofthecounsel)3. Allotments–Grantedforfixedterm,intendedforfarmingorbusinesspurposes(notforresidential)
AboriginalTitleandCommonlawEstatesSimilaritiesandDifferencesSimilarities:
• Exclusiveuse/righttoexcludenon-holdersoftheinterest• Crownholdsunderlyingtitle• Crownassertsarighttogovernandmakelawsinrelationtotheland(subjecttoconstitutionalrestrictions)• AboriginaltitleisenforceableinthecourtsoftheCrown(likeotherCLestates)
Differences:• UnliketraditionalCLestateswhicharepresumedtoderivefromaCrowngrant,Aboriginaltitleisbasedonoccupationprior
totheCrown'sassertionofsovereignty• ContentoftitleisuniqueanddistinctfromanyotherCLestate(inherentlycollective,inalienable,restrictionsonuse)• ContentoftitleisbasedinpartonIndigenouslegalsystems
CHAPTER6:EQUITABLEINTERESTSBackground:TheDeclineofFeudalism
- Personalbondbetweenlordandvassalnolongerexists- Incidentsoftenureincreasinglyimportant
o Relief–tenantinheritedestatefromfatherandmustpay1monthincomefromthelando Wardship–therighttocontroltheestateandtakeprofitswhentenantisaminor
- TransformationoftheeconomyinEnglandsothatlandisnolongerasimportantTHEEMERGENCEOFTHEUSE
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GeneralNotes- Thetrustisthemaincontributionofequitytopropertylawandaroseoutofthefeudalconceptofuse.- Summary:NobodyinEnglandisholdingtitle,alllandisheldunderdeedstousestoavoidincidentsoftenure.
Definition:Use–adeviceusedtograntlegaltitletoonepersontoholdforthebenefitofanother
- Usedtomakecharitablegiftstoreligiousinstitutions- Avoidingrelief,taxes,andotherfeudalincidents- Designatingheirs- Conveyinglandwithoutliveryofseisin- Shieldingpropertyfromcreditors,dowerrights,andforfeiture
Terminology:feoffee,feoffor,cestuiqueuse“AtoDewey,Cheatham,andHoweandtheirheirstotheuseofBandhisheirs”AisthefeoffortousesD,C&Harethefeoffeestouses,evenifonepassesawaythereisnoinheritanceBisthecestuiqueuse(thebeneficiary)Problem:“renegadefeoffees”–becausethecestuiqueuseisnotseisedoftheestate,shedoesnothavelegaltitle,thecommon-lawcourtwillnotenforcetheuse.Luckily,equitablecourtsexist.Solution:EquitablecourtsareunderthejurisdictionoftheLordChancellor,empoweredtodojustice.Feoffeesboundtoobligationsunderthedeedofuses–mustpayalltheincomeorconveythelandbacktothecestuiqueuse(theequitablebeneficiary).Orelse,thefeoffeewillburninhellandstayinjailuntiltheydotherightthing.Equity:Equityusedasaseparatesetofrules,distinctfromthecommonlaw,whichgivesrisetorightsenforceableinacourtofequityWhoisn’tboundbythedeedofuses?Thebonafidepurchaserforvalue:Someonewhodidn’tknowandisagoodfaithpurchaserforvalue.Allotherpurchasersoflandheldunderadeedofuseswillbecomethefeofeeandhavethesameobligationstothecestuiqueuses.Themoderntrustemergedfromthedeedtouses:3importantacts
1) TheDeedtoUses2) TheStatuteofUses3) Legalloopholesandequitableestates
THESTATUTEOFUSES,1535s.1:“WherepersonAisseisedtotheuseofanotherpersonB,orBcorp.,thenB’sequitableinterestisenlargedbyacorrespondinglegalinterestandA’sinterestisexecuted.”Theseisinistakenfromthetrusteeandgiventothebeneficiary.Thebeneficiarynowownsboththelegalandequitablefeesimple,sonowthekingcouldcollecttaxrevenueWhataretheimplications?
- Nomoreseparationoflegalandequitabletitle- Doesn’tapplytopersonalty*- Doesn’tapplytocompanies*- Doesn’tapplyifthereisamanagementcomponent(activeduty*)- Doesn’tapplytoleaseholdinterests*
Example:toAandherheirstotheuseofBforlife,remaindertotheuseofCandherheirs
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BeforetheStatuteofUses?- Aretainslegaltitleinfeesimple- Bgetsequitablelifeestate- Cobtainstheequitableremainderinfeesimple
AftertheStatuteofUses?
- Bgetsalifeestateinboththeequitableandlegalinterest- Cgetstheremainderinequitableandlegalfeesimple- Aisexecutedout
UnintendedconsequenceoftheStatuteofUses
- Deliveryofseisincanbebypassedbyexecutionof“A”EscapingtheStatuteofUses
1. Avoidance–Awillnotbeexecuteda. ToACorp.infeesimpletotheuseofBinfeesimple(statuteonlyappliestopersons)b. ToAfor999yearstotheuseofBinfeesimple(Aonlyhasalease,noseisin,statutedoesn’tapply)c. ToAtoholdtheproperty,andtomanageit,andpaytherentsandprofitstotheuseofBinfeesimple(active
managerialduties)
2. Exhaustiona. ToAandhisheirstotheuseofBandherheirstotheuseofCandherheirs.Statuteofuseswascapableof
executingonlyonefeesimpleofuses.Therefore,useuponausewouldnotbetriggered.i. Aisexecutedout,Btakeslegaltitle,andCtakesequitablefeesimpleii. Whentherearetwolevelsofusesthestatuteisexhaustedbythefirstusenomatterwhat
b. UntoandtotheuseofA,intrustforC(standardmodelofcontractionofthepreviousexample)i. Themodernshortformfortrusts
THEEMERGENCEOFTHETRUST Definition:Trust–aconveyanceintendedtocreateaseparateequitableinterest,canbecreatedbyawill,adeedoftrust,oradeclarationoftrust
- Canconsistofrealorpersonalproperty,includingintangiblessuchasintellectualpropertyorstocksInAlberta–LandTitlesAct>StatuteofUses
• Unregisteredinterestsinlandarenotrecognizedaslegalinterests-exposeduntilinterestisregistered(goodfaithpurchasercouldwalkawaywithinterest)
• Accordingly,evenwhenauseisexecutedtheaffectedestatesremainequitableuntilregisteredModernTerminologySettlor-alegalpersonawhocreatesthetrust.He/sheownsthepropertyinfeesimple.Trustee–thelegaltitleholderwhoisresponsibleformanagingandcontrollingtrustproperty,investinginitorinvestingitinaccordancewiththesettlor’sexpressinstructionsbutalsosubjecttoarangeoffiduciarydutiesrequiringthetrusteetoactinthebestinterestsofthebeneficiary.Beneficiary–theequitabletitleholder.Thebeneficiaryhasnocontroloverthetrustpropertyandisonlyentitledtoreceiveperiodicincomeordistributionofpaymentfromthetrust.Example:S:“UntoandtotheuseofmytrusteeintrustforBforlife,thenintrustforC”
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- Untoandtotheuseof(effectivelanguage)- S:Settlor- B,C:beneficiaries(equitablelifeestateforB;equitableinterestinfeesimpleinremainderforC)- Legalfeesimpleintrustee
TYPESOFTRUSTS
ExpressTrustsAnexpresstrustarisesfromtheexplicitinstructionsofthesettlorXhasalegalinterestintheland.Atthesametime,wantstonominateYasthebeneficiary.Righttouse,possession,income,etc.Traditionallydoneintheformofadeedtouses.Becomesaproprietaryinterestswhenthecourtssaythatanyoneisbound.Statuteofusesdidn’tlikethis.Deprivescrownofusefulremedy
• Now,whensomeonegetsbeneficiaryinterest,mustgetlegalinterest• Now,createanarrangementthatdoesn’tcomewithintheambit.Twowaysforthis:
o Personwhoholdstheinterestisacorporationo Makethepropertywhichissubjecttotheusepersonalty–statuteofusesonlyconcernsrealpropertyo Mustfindlanguagethatmakesitoperates,thenitrests(anyfurtherusesareinoperable)untoANDtotheuse(one
use–usesuponusesarenotsubjecttothestatute)AtotheuseofBforlife,thentotheuseofCinfeesimple.AisbeingseisedtotheuseofBandCinsuccession–howinterpreted.TruststhatarecreatedexpresslyandaresubjecttoallformalitiesrelatedtotheStatuteofUses.Theyaremostoftenusedinwillstodonatemoney,maintainwealth,etc.
ResultingTrustsWheretheequitableinterestrevertsbacktothesettlororthesettlor’sestate.Happensin3circumstances:1.ByImplicationE.g.“UntoandtotheuseofAintrustforBforlife”–Ahasfeesimple,Bacquiresanequitablelifeestateinpossession–whenBpassesawaythiswouldcreatearesultingtrustforA2.GapinEquitableTitle–wherethereisanincompletedisposalofequitableentitlements.Theequitabletitlewillspringbacktothesettlororthesettlor’sestate.E.g.S:“UntoandtotheuseofAandhisheirsintrustforBforlife.”–Bhasalifeestate,Ahasafeesimple,andShasaresultingfeesimple3.GratuitousTransferofProperty-Equitypresumesthatatrustresultsfromagratuitoustransferofpropertyifthere’snoevidenceastothesettlor’sintentions.
- Betweenspouses,thepresumptionunderAlberta’sMatrimonialPropertyActwherepropertyisregisteredinthenamesofbothmarriedpersons,jointownershipofthebeneficialinterestispresumed.
- Thepresumptionisrebuttablebybringingevidenceofintention
Ex.XconveyspropertytoYwithoutconsiderations.EquitypresumesthatXgrantedthelegalinterest,butretainedthebeneficialinterest.YisholdingaresultingtrustforX.Ex2.TitletopropertyispurchasedinY’sname,withX’smoney.EquitypresumesthatYisholdingaresultingtrustforX.ModernPresumptionsre:GratuitousTransfer:1) Presumptionsaregenderneutral
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2) Presumptionofadvancementonlyappliestoaminorchild.3) Presumptionofadvancementdoesnotapplytospouses.
Note:howtoovercomethepresumption–basedoncircumstances,e.g.writeanotetosayit’sagift,needtoshowitwasn’ttoretainbeneficialinterestinthepropertyResultingTrusts–EXCEPTIONStotheGratuitousTransferPresumption
PecorevPecorePresumptionofAdvancement–Parent/Guardian&agratuitoustransfertoachildFacts:FatheropenedajointownershipaccountwithPaulawiththerightofsurvivorship.IfthefundsareagifttoPaula,theyareherstokeep;butifthefatherretainedthebeneficialinterestinthefunds,theyformpartofhisestate,andtheymustbesplitbetweenPaulaandMichael.In1996,hewrotealetterstatinghewas100%theownerofthefundsandtheywerenotbeinggifted.Issue:ResultingTrustorGiftofAdvancement?Decision:Courtbeganwiththeassumptionofaresultingtrustbutultimatelydeterminedtherewassufficientevidencetoestablishtheintentionforagiftofadvancement.Degreeofdisability,degreeofdependencecanbeusedasevidencetoestablishthisintention.
- Traditionallygratuitoustransfersfromafathertohischildorfromahusbandtohiswifewerepresumedtobegifts(presumptionofadvancement).
- Inallothergratuitoustransfersthegrantorwaspresumedtoretainanequitableinterest(presumptionofaresultingtrust)
ConstructiveTrustsPropertyissubjectedtoatrustbyoperationoflaw–trustthatemergesnotwithstandingtheintentionsofthepersoninquestion
- Canresultinspecificperformanceratherthanmonetarycompensation- Givenpriorityoverclaimsbygeneralcreditorsagainstthelegaltitleholder
o Butarenotgivenpriorityoverabonafidepurchaserforvaluewithoutnotice- OftenusedasaremedyinCanada
2Categories
1. RemedialConstructiveTrusts:remedycraftedbythecourtsa. Unjustenrichmentfollowingbreakupofadomesticrelationship(MoorevSweet)b. Fiduciaryobligations?(BulunBulun)
2. InstitutionalConstructiveTrusts:imposedincircumstanceswhereonepartyacquirespropertyforhisbenefitattheexpenseofapersontowhomheowesafiduciaryduty.Courtonlyenforces,doesnotcraft.
a. Saleofrealproperty–equitableinterestpriortoclosingsale?(Semelhago)b. Arisingoutofunconscionableconduct,theft–thethiefbecomesatrusteeforthetrueowner
Semelhago(SCC)• Willnotautomaticallyassumeyouhaveentitlementtospecificperformancewhenyouarebuyingrealestate.Mustshow
thatdamagesarenotappropriatebyestablishingtheuniquenessoftheproperty
BulunBulunFIDUCIARYOBLIGATION=remedialconstructivetrust?Possibly.Facts:Saleofclothingmaterialinfringedintellectualpropertyrightsofartist.Theartistsuedandwassettled.Thetribetowhichtheartistbelongedtoalsosuedonthebasisthattheartistheldthepropertyintrust.Decision:TribedoesnothavetherighttosuewhenBulunBulunhadalreadyclaimeddamages.MightregardBulunBulunasafiduciaryforthetribe.Hemightberequiredtoactinaccordancewiththeircustomstotakeappropriatestepstoprotectthepropertyandsueontheirbehalf.Ratio:Indirectwayinwhichequitableprinciplesaremadeenforceableincourt.Australiancourtemphasizedthataconstructivetrustisnotimposedautomaticallyassoonaswehaveafiduciary.Inanextremecase,equitymightimpressthepropertywithaconstructivetrust,onlywhenitisnecessarytoachieveajustresultandpreventthefiduciaryfromretaininganunconscionable
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benefit.ForexampleifBulunBulunhadrefusedtoprotectthecopyrightfrominfringement,aconstructivetrustmighthavebeencreated.InCanada–isthereatrustmechanismthatwouldprotectthatAboriginalgroupthatcreatedthisknowledge?Everymemberofthegrouphastherighttothisculturebutmustpotentiallyactasafiduciaryforthegroup(ensuringitisn’tinfringed,suingonthegroup’sbehalf,etc.)CONSTRUCTIVETRUSTARISINGFROMDOMESTICRELATIONSHIP(includesunwedded)Traditionalposition:illegitimatecohabitation,noreliefforunweddedspouses
MurdochvMurdoch• Rancher’swifehasnoclaimtoassetseventhoughshedidlotsofwork,noresultingtrustintheabsenceoffinancial
contributiontotheacquisitionofthepropertyorevidenceofcommonintentiontosharethebeneficialinterest.Modernapproach:constructivetrustforunjustenrichment(Beblow,Moore,Kerr)
PetervBeblowDomesticlaborsufficientforclaiminunjustenrichment–remedialconstructivetrustFacts:Livedtogetherfor12years,sheassumedroleofwifetakingcareofbothhisandherkids(hedidn’thavetopayfortheseservices).Sheprovidedalotofdomesticwork.Heprovidedmoneyand‘drunkenabuse.’Sheclaimedaproprietaryinterestinthehousethatheowned.Decision:Claimantentitledtoaproprietaryremedyintheformofaconstructivetrustwherethereis1)unjustenrichment,and2)monetarydamagesareinadequate,andwhere3)theclaimant’scontributiontothepropertyissufficientlysubstantialanddirect.TestforUnjustEnrichment:
1. Anenrichment2. Correspondingdeprivation3. Absenceofjuristicreason
Mainissueis“juristicreason.”Wasthebenefitconferredbythecommon-lawwifeconferredasagift?However,courtdealswiththisbyholdingthatthereisnoobligationtoprovidedomesticservices.Morelikelythatthecoupleexpectstoshareinthewealth,ratherthanreceivecompensationforservices.Bothpartnerscreatesomethingtogetherandthereisanexpectationtosharegains.Publicpolicy:domesticservicesshouldberecognized,don’twanttoimpoverishdomesticlabourproviders,equitycansupplementthelawwhenthelawisunsatisfactory
KerrvBaranowJointfamilyventurerequiredtoallowinterestinotherassetsFacts:Sheprovideddomesticlabour,shewantsproprietaryinterestinthehouse,howevershealsowantsashareintheotherassets(millionsmadeinthehigh-techindustry.)Decision:Unjustenrichmentmayresultfollowingthebreakdownoftherelationshipwhereonepartyretainsadisproportionateshareoftheassetsproducedbyajointfamilyventure.Thisisaquestionoffactandtheclaimantmustshowanexusbetweenhis/hercontributionsandtheassetsaccumulatedbytheJFV.Mustdemonstratethattheywerebuildingsomethingtogether&relevantquestionsinclude:
- Mutualeffort,Economicintegration,Actualintent,Priorityofthefamily- “Couldhehavedoneitwithouther?”–contributionmustbesubstantialanddirectlylinkedtotheproperty
UnjustEnrichment–RemedyDefaultpresumption:monetaryaward–(i)wheretherewasajointfamilyventure,and(ii)thereisalinkbetweenhisorhercontributionstoitandtheaccumulationofwealth/assetsProprietary:mustdemonstratethatamonetaryawardwouldnotbeappropriatebyshowingalink/causalconnectionbetweenhis/hercontributionsandtheacquisitionsoftheland
CHAPTER7:QUALIFIED/CONDITIONALTRANSFERSANDFUTUREINTERESTSOverviewAbsoluteInterests:
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1.x:toAandherheirs(feesimpleinpossession)2.x:toWforlife,thentoC(lifeestateinpossession;feesimpleinremainder)QualifiedandFutureInterests:toA’sfirstdaughter,toAonconditionthatthepropertybeusedforaschoolFundamentalConceptsReversion–Whenanownerofanestatetransfersapartoftheestate,theyretainresidueinreversion.Thepropertyinterestrevertsbacktothegrantoruponsomeevent.Remainder–Whenapartialestateistransferred,withtheresiduetopasstoanother,itisaremainder.Thepersonhaspresentrightstofutureenjoyment.ContingentInterest–interestthatiscontingentonaneventthatmayormaynothappen(notvested)VestedInterest–therightsandinterestscanbesoldatanytime,evenifenjoymentispostponed.FeesimplesubjecttoExecutorylimitation-“O:toA,providedhemarriesbyage25,otherwisetoB”
- B’sinterestdescribedasanexecutoryinterest- AndA’sinterestisdescribedassubjecttoanexecutorylimitation
3CategoriesA.DeterminableInterests–interestreachesanaturalendupontheoccurrenceofanevent“O:ToAsolongasusedasaschool.”“O:ToAuntilAmarries”
- Aacquiresafeesimpledeterminable- O’sinterestisknownasapossibilityofreverter–afencepostwithavestedinterestintheland- A’sinterestisnotabsolute,butaqualifiedone.Iftheeventualitymaterializes,A’sinterestwilldetermine(conclude)
automaticallyandtherighttopossessionwillreverttoO- Commonwordswithatemporalmeaning:“while”,“during”,“solongas”,“until”
B.ConditionsSubsequent-defeasibleintereststhatcanbebroughttoaprematureendontheoccurrenceofaspecifiedevent.“O:toAonconditionthatthepropertybeusedasaschool”“O:toAbutifAenlistsinarmy,myestatemayenter”
- Aacquiresafeesimplesubjecttoaconditionsubsequent- O’sfutureinterestisknownastherightofre-entry(RoR)–acloudNOTVESTED- Aacquiresapresentrighttopossession...butiftheconditionisbroken,Ocanelecttoendtheestatebyre-enteringthe
land- Commonwords:“butif”,“providedthat”,“ifithappensthat”,“onconditionthat”
C.ConditionsPrecedent(ContingentInterests)-theinterestisdelayedpendingtheoccurrenceofanevent.“O:toAforlife,thentoBifBgraduatesfromlawschool“
- Bhasafeesimpleinremaindersubjecttoconditionprecedent- Conditionprecedentislikea“bridge”
o IfBdoesn’tgraduate,estaterevertsbacktoO- Contingentiftheidentityoftheremainderperson(s)cannotbeascertainedatthetimeofthegrant:
o O:toAforlife,thentothechildrenofB§ ButwhatifBhasmorechildren?
OverviewofVestingfromaTemporalPerspectiveVestedinpossession Vestedininterest Futureinterests-Lifeestate-Feesimpleabsolute-Estatesubjecttoaconditionsubsequent-Estatesubjecttodeterminablelimitation
-Reversions-Vestedremainder-Possibilityofreverter*
-Estatesubjecttoaconditionprecedent-Rightsofre-entry-Contingentremainders
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DeterminingthekindofQualifiedInterestHowdoweascertainthegrantor’sintentions?(CarolinevRoper)
- Lookattheinstrumentasawhole- Thechoiceoflanguage
o DETERMINABLELIMITATION:Durationallanguage(solongas,while,until,during)o CONDITIONSUBSEQUENT:Externalstipulation(butif,oncondition,providedthat)
TheRuleinBrownevMoody(McKeenEstateCase)–presumptionofavestedremainderFacts:Settlor'sinstructions:"intrustformywifeduringherlifetime.Dividetheresidueofmyestateequallybetweenmysisters,AandBiftheyarebothaliveatthetimeofthedeathofmeandmysaidwife.Ifonlyoneofmysistersisaliveatthetimeofdeathofthesurvivorofmeandmysaidwife,delivertheresidueofmyestatetothesurvivingsister,thesametobehersabsolutely."Widowoutlivedbothsisters.FirstInterpretation:theremainderiscontingent(subjecttoaconditionprecedent-survivingthewidow).- Implication:neitherofthemmetthecondition,estategoesbacktothesettlorSecondInterpretation(thechosenoutcome):- Conditionsubsequent:ifeithersisterpassesawaybeforetheother,thatsister’sinterestdivestssotheothersistergets
everything.Sinceneithersurvived,neitherwasdivested,andthereforetheremaindergoesequallytothesisters’estatesandnotthesettlor’s.
- Thisisfavouredformultiplereasons1. Firstinterpretationresultsinpartialintestacy2. TheruleinBrownevMoody-Iftheonlyconditionattachedtoaremainderissurvivingthelifetenant,thenthe
courtswillpresumethattheremainderisvestedandnotcontingent3. Betterreflectssettlor’sintent4. Courtdesiresearliestvestingpossible5. Courtwillonlyrecognizeacontingentinterestifthelanguageisabsolutelyclear
Phippsv.Ackers(Kotsarv.Shattock)GiftoverrulesSettlor:“myresiduaryestatetoOlimeKotsarifandwhensheshallattaintheageof21years...IntheeventofthefailureofthetrustinfavourofthesaidOlimeKotsar,tosuchcharitableinstitutionsasmytrusteesshallthinkfit.”RuleofConstructioninPhippsvAckers–conditionprecedenttransformedintoaconditionsubsequentwhen:(1)GifttoA‘if/when/assoonas’Aattainsaspecifiedageorfulfilssomeotherconditioninthefuture;(2)Withagift-overtoBonfailuretofulfilthatcondition;then(3)A’sinterestisregardedasvestedatthedatethegiftbecomeseffective,subjecttobeingdivestediftheconditionisnotsatisfiedbyA.
- Canhaveridiculousimplications,consider:o “TothechildrenofAwhentheyturn21,butifnochildreaches21,thentoB.“
§ TheruleofPhippsvAckersapplies.o “TothechildrenofA,whoturn21,butifnochildreaches21,thentoB.”
§ Theruledoesnotapply(noif/when/assoonas,etc.)sokidsonlyhaveafutureinterest
INEFFECTIVESTIPULATIONSPrecatoryWords–termsthatfallshortofestablishinganactualconditionorlimitation
- i.e.requests,understandingsEx.“itismywishthatyousetasideone-quarteroftheresiduetomyniece”
- Sometimesthesearebindingandcreateaprecatorytrust(difficulttoachieve)o Ex.“itismywishthatthecharitabledonationsaretoelderlypeople”
- Bottomline:Courtstrytoaccommodatethetestator’sintentionso Didthetestatorintendthewishtobebinding?
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InterroremConditions–intendedtodetercontestsofthewillandaregenerallyregardedasidlethreatsnotmeanttoleadtoalossofinterest.
- However,ifthetestatorprovidedforagift-over,andthestipulationisnotagainstpublicpolicy,theinterroremconditioncanbeupheld
INVALIDCONDITIONS
- Conditionsthatencourageillegalactivity,orarecontrarytopublicpolicy- Conditionsthatareuncertain
o “OntheconditionthathemarryawifeofGermanblood“§ What%?Thecourtswillignorethiscondition.
o Higherthresholdsofcertaintyforconditionssubsequent,lowerforconditionsprecedent- Conditionsthatviolaterulesrelatedtoremoteness
o E.g.theruleagainstperpetuities(RAP)o “Onconditionthatheneversellstheproperty“
RESULTSOFINVALIDITY1. ConditionSubsequent:Recipientholdsanabsolutegift.2. DeterminableLimitation:Thegiftfails.3. ConditionPrecedent:
1. AttachedtoagiftofRealProperty–giftfails2. ForPersonalProperty,2differentapproaches(discussbothonanexam):
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o Uncertaintyinthelaw–beforeUngerwethoughtwewoulduseJarman–Ungerseemstodiscardthisandgowithadifferentapproach.Nowwehavealongstandingruleversusajudgesayingwhatweshoulddo
FirstApproach:TraditionalRuleforPersonalProperty:Jarman/Feeney
a) Iftheconditionwasoriginallyimpossible(ex.drinkuptheocean)orrequiresaviolationoflaw,thenabsolutegiftb) Iftheimpossibilityoftheconditionwasunknowntothegrantor,ortheconditionhasbecomeimpossible,thenthe
giftfails.
SecondApproach:UngervGossen–truertothegrantor’sintention,buthardertoapply- Testatrixhas3nephewsinUSSR,willreceivemoneyiftheymigratetoCanadawithin15yearsofherdeath.Canadianlaw
madeitimpossibleforhernephewstoimmigrate.- Decision:DisregardJarman/Feeney.Instead,askwhatdidthegrantorintend?Thegiftorthecondition?Courtconcludes
intentiontobenefithernephews&giftwouldnotoffendherwishes.
INVALIDITY:UNCERTAINTY - Conditionsubsequentdemandsahigherlevelofclaritythanconditionprecedent- Conditionprecedentjustrequiresthatitbecapableofbeinggivensomeplausiblemeaning- Adeterminableinterestrequiresthesamelevelofcertaintyasaconditionsubsequent(probably)
SiftonvSiftonConditionsubsequentvoidforuncertaintyàabsolutegiftFacts:Trusteeinstructedtopaysettlor’sdaughterannually“solongassheshallcontinuetoresideinCanada.“Decision:Daughter’sinterestheldsubjecttoaconditionsubsequent,buttheconditionisvoidforuncertainty.Thecourtonlylooksforapracticallevelofuncertainty.However,theeventuponwhichtheinterestwillbedefeatedmustbestatedpreciselyanddistinctly.Noguidelinesastotemporaryabsencesthatmightbepermitted.Ratio:Onlythedescriptionofeventissubjecttotheuncertaintyexamination.Test:canthepersonwiththeinterestascertainwhentheywillforfeititfromtheoutset?
KotsarvShattockDistinguishablefromSiftonbecauseofcontinuityvs.precision“Vestedordivestedatreachingageof21yearsandbeingaresidentofaCommonwealthnation.”……vs.“continuestoreside.”Thisissufficientlycertaintobeavalidcondition.Otherexamples“ToBartforlife,onconditionthatheremainsvegan,otherwisetoLisa”
- ThisisaConditionSubsequentandisimpreciseàBartgetseverything,nocondition.“ToBartforlife,butshouldLisabecomevegan,thentoher”
- Ok,thisisaboutLisa,willbetreatedasaconditionprecedentTuck’sSettlementTrusts(1978)–arbitrationclausecanhelprendercertaintyFacts:…incaseofdisputeordoubt,thedecisionofthechiefRabbiinLondonshallbeconclusive.Issue:Istheconditionprecedentcertainenough?Decision:Yes-thechiefrabbiarbitrationclausewasenoughtocureuncertainty.Conditionprecedent=lowerthresholdofcertainty:personclaimingthegiftmustonlydemonstratethathehasreasonablyachievedthecondition.
INVALIDITY:RESTRAINTONALIENATION- Propertytransferredfromsomeonetosomeoneelseonconditionthatitwon'tbesoldoutofthefamilyorthatitwillonlybe
soldtoaparticularclassofpersons,ormaybenever(restraints)- Conditionsthatcontravenepublicpolicywillnotbeenforced
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5ObjectionstoRestraints
1. Theymakepropertyunmarketable2. Perpetuatetheconcentrationofwealth3. Restraintsdiscourageimprovementstotheproperty4. Makesitdifficulttoobtainfinancingusinglandascollateral5. Detractfrombusinessgenerallybecausecreditorscan'treachthepropertytosatisfydebt
ValidRestraints1) Forfeiture–terminatesthefeesimpleandtransferstherightofre-entrytothegrantor(orthegrantor’sestate)ifthegrantee
triestoalienatea. MypropertytoXbutifXtriestosell,myestatemayre-enter
2) Promissoryrestraints–thepurchaseragreesnottotransfertheproperty,aspartofthesale&purchasecontract,makingthempersonallyliablefordamagesfrombreachofcontract.
b. OgrantstoA,andApromisesnottotransfertheland.3) Disablingrestraints–removesthepowerofdisposal,ifviolated,doesn’tdivesttheholderoftheproperty,justvoidsthe
attemptedtransactionIndirectRestraints(sometimesvalid)1) Rightoffirstrefusalatfixedprice2) Postmortemoptiontopurchaseatfixedprice Todetermine:assesstheeffectoftheindirectrestraintanddetermineiftheeffectistotakeawaytherighttoalienate(thinkaboutpublicpolicy).NeedtomakethecaseforthisTCSvLyons–exampleofaninvalidindirectrestraintFacts:Bennettsownlandnexttotheschool,specialrelationshipbetweentheparties.Contractsignedin1965creatingapostmortemoptiontothepurchasepropertyfor$9375.Schoolexercisestheoptionwhenthepropertyisactuallyworth135K.Decision:Theoptionforafixedpricewasunenforceableasanimproperrestraintonalienationofanestateinfeesimple,citingRosher-sonwasrequiredtoselltohismotherat¼ofmarketpriceifhewishedtosell.Effectivelyafullrestraintonalienation,becausethesonwouldneverwanttosell.Inthiscase,thecollegesetthepriceduringlifeevenlowerthaninRosher.Ratio:Optionsthatareeffectivelyfullrestraintsonalienationareinvalid.Whethertheoptionisvalid,dependsontheeffectithasrestrainingalienation.Powersofdisposalmaybeabridgedin3ways1)Restrictingthemodeofalienation–Ex.Maynotbesoldormortgaged(butallowingleases)2)Byprohibitingalienationtosomeclassofrecipients3)Byprecludingdealingsonlyforalimitedtimeperiod.Testforinvalidity–“doestheconditiontakeawaythewholepowerofalienationsubstantially?”
INVALIDITY:DOCTRINEOFPUBLICPOLICY
- Courtshavethepowertorefusetoenforcetermsthatarecontrarytopublicpolicyo Someexamples:stipulationsthatencouragecriminalbehaviour,undermineparentalresponsibilities,orseekto
controlmarriage- Chartermaybeusefulinidentifyingcorevalues- Public/privatedistinction–conferringtoafamilymemberisdifferent.
TheLeonardCaseRacisminatrustà againstpublicpolicyà conditionvoid
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Facts:TheLeonardtrustprovidedscholarshipsforarestrictedclassofstudents(onlywhiteprotestantsofBritishHeritage).Womencouldnotreceivemorethan¼oftheamountgivenout.Inthecaseofarequiredcourtapplication,theapplicationmustbemadebeforeawhiteprotestantjudge.Valuesembeddedinthetrust:progress&civilization,theBritishEmpire,race,religion,philanthropy.TheHumanRightsCommissionfiledaformalcomplaintthatthetrustviolatedthehumanrightscodeandthetrusteeappliedtothecourtsforguidance.Statedracism.Seemstobeanimportantbasisforinterferingwiththetrust.Issue:isthetruststillvalid?Decision:Wewilltakeoutallofthediscriminatoryprovisionsandleaveitbebesidesthatusingthecommon-lawdoctrineofcy-pres.Proprietaryfreedomisbalancedagainstthisdoctrine.Ratio:Provisionscannotbeblatantlyracistorinvokingreligioussupremacy,Courtswilllookatthepreambletodeterminemotivationbehindprovisions.
DoctrineofCy-PresWhenatrustischaritableandfailsbecauseitwasagainstpublicpolicyorithasbecomerepugnanttopublicpolicyatsomelatertime,thenthedoctrineofCy-preswillapply.Thedoctrinewillremovethepartsthatareagainstpublicpolicywhilemaintainingthecharitableintentofthetrust.
McKorkill(SCC)Can’tgivemoneytoadangerousneo-naziorganization.Daughterchallenged.Onlyheir.
SpencevBMO(ONCA)Testatorcanunconditionallydisposeofpropertyevenondiscriminatorygrounds,didn’thavetopasspropertyontodaughter,eventhoughhisreasonswerebecauseshemarriedawhiteman.
ReEstherG.CastaneraScholarship(MBQB)Scholarshipforneedywomenwhowanttopursuescienceisheldvalid.Validbecausetheyarenotmotivatedbyabeliefofsuperiorityofrace,gender,etc.
KayvSouthEasternSydneyAreaHealthService(Australia)Someofestateonlytowhitepeople,giftwasheldvalidbecauseitisacharitablegift(butonlybecausetheJudgethoughtthatthehospitalcouldessentiallyprovidemorefundstoallsickchildren.)
INVALIDITY:PERPETUITIESATCOMMONLAW
RuleAgainstPerpetuities(RAP)• Acommon-lawrulethatestablishesaperiodoftimeduringwhichcontingencieswillbepermittedtoremainunvested
Rationale:promotesefficienttransferofproperty,cleartitle,andalienability.Balancestherightsofcurrentcontingentownerswithpreviousowners.AvenuesforReform:(1)Abolition,(2)Aflatstatutoryperpetuityperiod(80,360years,etc.),(3)“waitandsee”approach.Classify(identifythecontingentinterests)à Time(Establishtheperpetuitiesperiod)à Prove(Provethatremotevestingispossibleorimpossible)BreakdownoftheRule:“Nointerestisgoodunlessitmustvest,ifatall,notlaterthantwenty-oneyearsafterthedeathofsomeonewhoisalivenow”Application:RAPonlyapplieswheretherearecontingencies(interestsnotyetvested)àconditionsprecedent,contingentremainders,rightsofre-entry,executoryinterests,certaincommercialoptions,thepossibilityofreverterPerpetuityperiod:beginswhentheinteresttakeseffect(atthecreationoftheinterest)andends21yearsafterthedeathofsomelifeinbeing,orlivesinbeing.
- Will:onthedeathofthetestator(amortetestatoris)- Deed:whenexecuted—signed,sealed,anddelivered(intervivos)- Gestationperiodisaddedtothe21years
LifeinBeingorLivesinBeing(4conditions)
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a) Ahumanwhoismentionedintheinstrument- Implicit–peoplewhohaverelevantbiologicalrelationshipstopossiblegrantees- Explicit–livesofthosewhoareoutsideofthetransferbutareexplicitlynamed(TheQueen)
b) Personwasalivewhentheinteresttakeseffect- Includesafetuswhoissubsequentlybornalive(periodisextendedbygestation)
c) Ifagroup,thegroup’snumberisascertainableandfixedatthedateofthecreationoftheinterestd) Ifagroup,thegroupmustnotbecapableofincreasinginnumber
- Ex.1:Devises“toallmygrandchildren”willsuffice- Ex.2:Grant“toallmygrandchildren”willnot;grantor’schildrencan’tbelivesinbeing
RemoteVesting:ifitispossiblefortheinteresttovestoutsideoftheperpetuityperiod,thecontingencyviolatesRAPandtheinterestwillbeimmediatelyvoid.ExamplesofRAPInfringements1.FertileOctogenarian:ThetestatordevisesBlackacretotrusteesontrustforhiswife,A,forlife,thenforA’schildrenfortheirlives,thenforsuchofA’sgrandchildrenwhoattaintheageof21years.Thispartisvoid.Thegiftfails.2.ThePrecociousToddler:ThetestatordevisesBlackacretoAforlife,thenforsuchofA’sgrandchildrenlivingatT’sdeathorbornwithinfiveyearsthereafterwhoshallattaintheageof21years.ThispartisinvalidbecauseAcouldhaveachildafterthetestator’sdeath,andthechildcouldhaveachildwithin5years.RuleAgainstPerpetuities–TheProcessStep1:IsthelimitationcontainedintheinstrumentonetowhichtheRAPmayapply?Step2:Whatisthedateofcreationoftheinterest?Step3:Whois/arethelife/livesinbeing?Dotheyfulfillthe4conditions?Step4:Isittheoreticallypossibletoconstructcircumstancesinwhichremotevestingoccurs?Step5:Canthelimitation(whichisinvalid)besavedbecauseofstatutorymodifications?(seenextpage)ReviewQuestions:
1. Xtransfersasum“intrustforAforlife,remaindertoA’sfirstchildwhoreaches21”
Valid.Aisavalidatinglife,uponA’sdeath,therecanbenomorechildren.Awillreach21within21yearsofA’sdeath.2. Xtransfersasum“intrustforAforlife,thentoA’sfirstchildwhoreaches25”
Void.Itspossibleforthechildtoreachtheagemorethan21yearsafterA’sdeath.3. Tdevises“tomygrandchildrenwhoreach21”(Tleaves2childrenand3grandchildrenunder21)
Valid.T’schildrenareafixedgroup,andtheirchildrenwillreach21within21yearsoftheirdeaths.4. Tmakesanintervivosgift(sameasin3)
Void.Tcouldhavemorechildren,groupcouldgrowandarenotvalidlifes-in-being5. Atrust“untoandtotheuseofAforlife,thentotheuseofA’swidow”
Valid.Noproblemswithvestingwhetherthereisawidowornot.6. Tdevises“tomysonMarshallforlife,thentohiswidowforlife,remaindertoMarshall’ssurvivingchildren”
Void.Marshall’slifeestateisvested,widowiscontingentbecausewedon’tknowwhothewidowis,remainderiscontingentbecausewedon’tknowwhothechildrenare.WeneedtoapplyRAPtwice.WeknowthewidowvestswhenMarshalldies,sothelifeestateisgood.Remainderisvoidbecausewidowmightnotbealife-in-being,andshecouldlivemorethan21yearsafterMarshalldies.
7. Tdevises“toAforlife,thentoA’schildrenforthelifeofthesurvivorofthem,thentoA’sgrandchildren”(atthetimeofT’sdeath,Aisan80-year-oldwomanwithtwolivingchildren)
Void.A’slifeestateisvested,A’schildren’slifeestateiscontingent,andA’sgrandchildreniscontingent.AfterTisdead,Acouldhaveanotherchild21yearsafterhisdeathsoremotevesting.
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INVALIDITY:PERPETUITIESUNDERALBERTASTATUTE
- ApplicabletointerestscreatedJuly2,1973orlater- StatutepresupposesthatthecommonlawRAPappliesEXCEPTasprovidedbytheAct(s.2)- S.11–Theremedialprovisionsshallbeappliedintheorderofs.9,s.4,s.6,s.7,s.8
s.3–Nodispositionisvoidforonlythepossibilityofvestingbeyondtheperpetuityperiod.Themereconceivabilityofremotevestingisnolongerthebenchmarkforinvalidity.S.4–WaitandSee:don’ttreatlimitationsasinvalidautomaticallybasedonpossibilityofremotevesting,insteadwaittoseeifremotevestingoccurs.ContingenciesCAPABLEofvestingeitherwithinorbeyondtheperpetuityperioduntilACTUALeventsestablisheither(A)remotevestingisimpossible,Inwhichcaseitisvalid,or(B)theinterestwillnotvestintime,inwhichcasetheinterestisvoid,unlessitcanbesavedbyss6,7,or8.s.5–LivesinBeing:cannotusetheroyallinetolengthentheperpetuityperiod.The“waitandsee”periodis21years+anylivesinbeing.Onlypersonsreferredtoin5(2)canserveaslivesinbeing(grantor,grantee,thosecapableofproducinggrantees).Mustbealiveattheoutset,andmustnotbesolargeastomakeitimpracticaltoidentifythelastsurvivor.Thissectioneliminatestheunbornwidowproblem.S.6–ReductionofAge:ifageistheONLYissue,reduceittobevalid
o Ex.tograndchildrenwhoreach30isvoidatcommonlaw§ Underthissection,thepositionshallbereadasthenearestagethatwillwork,sovestswhen
grandchildrenreach21o Ex.tograndchildrenwhoreach30andmarryisn’tvalidevenifitsaid21
§ S.6doesn’tapplyS.7–RemedialClassSplitting:exclusionofclassmemberstoavoidremoteness-ifamemberofthegroupwon’tvestintime,statuteallowsthemtobecutout.CommonlawinsistedthatALLpartiesnecessarilyvestin21years.S.8–GeneralCy-Pres:canbringtheissuebeforeajudgewhocanre-writethedevisetobestmeetintentionsofthegrantorasbestaspossibleS.9–ReproductiveAssumptions:rebuttablepresumptionsastofertility–contrasttocommonlaw,wherethereisanirrebuttablepresumptionoffertility.
o Malescanhavechildrenatage14orovero Femalescanhavechildrenbetweenagesof12and55
S.11–Theremedialprovisionsshallbeappliedintheorderofs.9,s.4,s.6,s.7,s.8S.17–OptionstoAcquireReversionaryInterests(i.e.leases)
o RAPdoesn’tapplytooptionstorenewaleaseofrealorpersonalpropertyS.18–Commercialtransactions(ex.options)theperpetuityperiodis80years.Ifacontractstipulatesalongerperiod,theoptionisstillonlyexercisablewithin80years.Iewaitandseefor80years.S.19–Interestsdeterminableorsubjecttoaconditionsubsequent-theperiodis40yearsaftertheinterestbecomesabsolute
o Ex.“myhousetotheEdmontonlibrarysolongasitisusedasalibrary”§ TheEdmontonLibraryonlyhastousethehouseasalibraryfor40years,afterwards,theycando
whatevertheywantwithit.o Section19(5)statesthatthe40yearlimitdoesnotapplytomineralleases.
EXAMPLEofs.5:OtransfersasumintrustforthefirstofmychildrenorgrandchildrentograduatetotakeaselfiewithBieberJ.VOIDUNDERTHEPERPETUITIESACTifnotvestedin21years–BieberJcanNOTbealifeinbeing.
Scurry-RainbowOil(Sask.)Ltd.vTaylor(2001)Facts:Toplease-oilisdiscoveredonFarmer’sproperty.ImperialOilnegotiatestheoriginaldeal.ScurryRainbowmakesanagreementw/farmerthatwillallowScurryRainbowinafterIOL’sleaseends.TheagreementwithScurryRainbowincludesa42-yearlimitandisadeterminableinterest.ThisinterestviolatesRAP.
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Issue:whethertheappellants’oilandgastopleasewiththelateHarryTaylorisrenderedvoidbyRAP.Decision:RAPdoesnotapplyincommercialsettings.InmodifyingRAP,Courtconsidersthepolicybehindtherule,andconcludesitshouldnotapplyhere.PurposeofRAPistopromoteexchangeofproperty.Basedonthiscase,inSaskatchewan,RAPdoesnotapplytotopleases.ThereisnosimilarauthorityinAlberta.However,anoptiontorenewaleaseissubjecttotherule.
CHAPTER8:LEASES,LICENSES,ANDBAILMENTSNATUREOFALEASELeasehold(EstateinLand)–Notafreeholdestate,butallowsyoutorecoverpossession(ChattelsREAL)
- Conveyanceofexclusivepossessionforacertainperiodoftime(evenagainsttheowner)- Estateisalienableandsurvivesthetenant- Modernleaseholdisahybridofcontractandproperty- Usetermslandlord(reversioner)/tenant.Tenantisshorthandfortenantforyears.
|--------Leasehold-------|---------reversion---------|Lease
- Createdbya“Demise”or“TermofYears”- Legalrelationshipwheretitleisvestedinonepersonbutrightofpossessionisvestedinanotherperson
o TenanthasExclusivePossession(THISISTHEKEYFACTOR)§ Notseisedoftheland(notcapturedbyStatuteofUses)
o Landlordhasalegal“reversionaryinterest”§ Remainsseisedoftheland
- Whiletheleasecontinues,thelandlordretainsareversionaryinterest;landlord’srighttoactualpossessionissuspendedduringthetermofthetenancy
RealActions–canrecoverproperty,notjustdamages.(Writofejectment–processforlitigatingit,ifyouwerecorrect,youreceivedyourpossessionback)TYPESOFLEASES1. Byterm:
(1)Fixedtermlease(termsmustbecertain,thoughitcanendprematurely–e.g.1day,50years)(2)Periodiclease(enjoyedforsomerecurringperiodoftime,i.e.month-to-month)
a) Commonlawpresumptionisaperiodictenancy(3)Tenancyatwill(whichmaybeterminatedatanytimebyeitherthelandlordortenant)
b) Canbecomeperiodiconpayment/acceptanceofrent,iffairlyimpliedbycircumstances4.CommercialandresidentialleasesCATEGORIESOFLEASESCommercial
- GovernedalmostsolelybythecommonlawResidential
- Usuallygovernedbyremediallegislation- Offersstandardleasearrangementsandprovidescertaincontentusuallyfortheprotectionofthetenant.Sometimesthose
termscannotbeoptedoutof- Governedbystatute,duetounequalbargainingpower,andtheconsequencesofevictiononthetenant- Thebeliefthatpropertylawistheappropriatevehicleofredistributingwealthbetweenownersandtenants- ResidentialTenanciesAct,MobileHomeSitesTenanciesAct
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ESSENTIALELEMENTSOFALEASE(Ifvoidduetomissingelementandtenantpaysrentandthereisapresumptionofperiodictenancy)
1. Descriptionofparties(identification)2. Descriptionofproperty(“demisedpremise”)3. Demiseofthepremisesforacertainterm4. Dateofcommencement(presentorfuture)5. Rent,ifany–indicia,notrequirement,canmakeagiftofalease6. Writtenrequirement
a. If3yearsorlonger–StatuteofFrauds&LandTitlesAct,Albertab. Ifover3years:Leasesmustbeinwritingandsignedbylessorotherwisetenancyatwilliscreatedc. Failuretocomplyresultsinatenancyatwillthatcanbeterminatedatanytimed. Somerelaxationofthisrule-ifpossessionconveyedwithoutwrittenleaseandthelandlordacceptsrent,thentheCL
willpresumethatthisisamonthtomonthrentor
LEASESVERSUSLICENSES(FATAC)
Lease LicenseExclusivePossession OnlyaRighttoUse(can’tsueintrespass)
Non-Revocable(statutoryprotectionagainsteviction) Revocableatanytime–onlyrecoveryinequityEstateinLand NotanEstate–purelycontractual
Qualityoflease:Bindingonsubsequentpurchasersofland
Landlordcansellwithoutobligation
Noticeisrequiredbeforeeviction Nonoticeisrequired
Streetv.Mountford(Intentionofpartiesastosubstantiverightsconferrediswhatmatters)
- Iftheagreementhasalltheelementsofatenancy,itwillberegardedassuch- Whetherthepremisesarebeingusedforbusinessorresidentialdoesn’tmatter- Thequestionisnotwhetherthepartiesintendedtograntalease/license,itiswhetherthepartiesintendedtograntthe
essentialingredientsofthelease/license,ieexclusivepossessionforterm.RequiredelementstocreateaLease(FatacLtdvInlandRevenue):
1. Intentiontobeboundbystatutoryprotectionslimitingeviction- Excludesrelationshipsofgenerosityorfriendship- Rentcanbeevidence,butitisnotnecessary
2. Righttoexclusivepossession3. Adefinedterm–fixedorperiodic
Wheretherighttoexclusivepossessioncanbeterminatedpursuanttosomelegalrelationshipextraneoustothelegalrelationshipoflandlordandtenantindicateslicense.
- Ex.conciergehasrighttoexclusiveusedependentonhis/heremploymentàlicense
Metro-Maticv.Hulmann(Limitontypeofusedoesnotdetractfromitbeingalease)Facts:Metro-Maticoperatesalaundryroominaresidentialbuilding–originallandlordsellsthebuilding.Newlandlordclaimsheisnotboundbecausehedidn’tsigntheagreement.Issue:LicenseorLease?Decision:Lease–newlandlordisbound.
- Minorderogationsandrestrictionsonthetenant’sexclusivitydoesnotdestroytheleaseinitsentirety- Occupancydemonstratingpossessionà havingmachinesthere- Languageusedsuggestsalease(“rent”;“demise”)indicateddurationoftheterm.- Commontoassignuseofpremiseincommercialleases.
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NATUREOFTHELANDLORD’SANDTHETENANT’SINTERESTSASSIGNMENTVS.SUBLEASE
- Atcommonlaw,thetenanthastherighttodeal(e.g.transfer)withtheunexpiredpartofpossession.However,theagreementmayrestrictthesecommon-lawrights
o Assignmentisatransferofatenant’sfullinterestintheleaseisconveyedo Sub-Leaseisatransferofashorterperiodlessthanfullterm(evenonedayless)
- Theimportantdistinction:assignmentallowsforaprivityofestateandforcovenantstorunwiththelandASSIGNMENT
- Tenant’sfullinterestintheleaseisconveyed(horizontaltransfer)o T2(assignee)hasnoprivityofcontractwithlandlord,butthereisprivityofestate
§ PerSpencer’sCase:ifT2tookT1’slegalestate–thereisprivityofestate–therefore,onlythetermsoftheleasethatconcernthelandarebindingagainsttheassignee.Doesnotincludetermsofapersonalnatureonlyrealterms,e.g.“covenantsthattouchandconcernland.”
o T1remainscontractuallyboundtothelandlord3AncillaryTestsforCovenantsthatTouchandConcerntheLand(notdeterminative)
1) Doesthecovenantaffectthelandlordasalandlordandatenantasatenant?(Personalcapacity)2) Doesthecovenantaffectthenature,quality,valueofthelandortheusetowhichitmaybeput?3) Wouldthecovenantloseitsvalueifitwereseveredfromtheproperty?
Eg.Obligationtopayrent,dutytorepair,restrictiontotherighttoalienate.Ifyouwanttoprotectyourself,saythatinthecaseofassignment,anewleaseshouldbesigned.LawofPropertyAct,s65(1)(codifiesSpencer’sCase):PersonswhoacquirereversionaryinterestortheleaseholdinterestofthetenanthavealltherightsandaresubjecttoalltheobligationsbasedontherealcovenantsoftenancySUB-LEASE
- ThelandlordhasnoactionagainstTenant2(assignee),buthedoesagainstTenant1(assignor).Noprivityofcontractorestate.
o Ifheshouldbreachacovenant,LandlordwillgoafterTenant1o Caninsertaclausethatsaysnosublettingornosublettingwithoutthelandlord’spermission
THECONCEPTOF“TOUCHINGANDCONCERNING”
MergerRestaurantsv.DMEFoodsLtd.(ApplicationofPrivityofEstate)Facts:LakeviewwantstopermitBonanzaanditspatronstoexclusivelyusespacesinaparkinglotthatwasoriginallycommontoalltenants.LakeviewandMergerstandindirectrelationshipthroughtheassignment.Issue:Isthetermtousealltheparkinglotsincommonatermthattouchesandconcernstheland?Decision:Yes–itisatermthattouchesandconcernstheland.Theextentandavailabilityofparkingspacesinashoppingplazaaresoessentialthattheywilldirectlyaffectthenatureandvalueoftheland.MergercanenforceagainstLakeview,becauseLakeviewisanassigneetothecontract
Andersonv.BC(Parkingnotspecifiedinleaseàcannotbeimplied;noprivityofestate)Facts:Governmentexpandsthehighwayandbuys1/3ofaparkinglotfromtheowneroftheplaza;businesseslosemoney.TenantsueslandownerclaimingimpliedtermintheleasegivingthemtherightforparkingIssue:Isthetenantentitledtoanycompensation?
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Decision:Canweimplythetermofarighttoparking?No–can’tdemonstratethattheparkingspotsbeingexpropriatedwerespecificallyforAnderson’sbusiness.Parkingrightsmustbeexplicitlystatedinthelease.
LIMITSONTHETENANT’SRIGHTTOALIENATE–RIGHTTOASSIGNTHELEASEHOLD
• AtCLatenantmaysublettheinterestunlesstheleaseagreementstatesotherwise–usuallyhavetoobtainwrittenconsentofthelandlord
• ThiskindofclauseisusuallyqualifiedbytheprovisothatthelandlordwillnotwithholdconsentunreasonablyorarbitrarilyRule:
• AtCL,iftheleaseissilentontherighttoassignyoursublease,thenthetenantmaydoastheyplease(assign,sublet,etc.)• Iftheleasestipulatestheconsentofthelandlordtoassignisrequired,thenthelandlordmaywithholdconsentforany
reason• Iftheleasestipulatestheconsentofthelandlordisrequired,butitshallnotbewithheldarbitrarilyorunreasonably,
theninacaseofdisputethecourtmustdecideifthecaseisunreasonablyorarbitraryinthecircumstanceso NOTCORRECTthatthelandlordmustneverbereasonable–allaboutwhattheleasesays
Sundancev.Richfield(It’sonthetenanttoestablishunreasonablerefusal–economicimpact:reasonable)Facts:Twotenantsleasingseparatepremisesinthemall.Leasesays
1. Consenttosubletorassigntheleaserequirespermissionofthelandlord,butthelandlordcannotwithholdconsentunreasonablyorarbitrarily
2. Iftheothermajortenant(BeaverLumber)objectstothenatureofthebusiness,itwillconstitutereasonablegroundsforrejection
RestauranttriedtosublettoSwissChalet,butlandlordrefusedtoallowit,claimingthatthetypicalcustomerspendstoomuchtimethereandwouldtakeawayfromtheparkingspotsforBeaverLumber.Decision:Majority-ReasonableforBeaverlumbertoobjectbecausethenewassignmentwouldaffectitsbusiness.Evenwithouttheclause,thelandlordcouldrefusebecausetheirpecuniaryinterestwouldbeaffected.Theonusisonthetenanttoestablishunreasonableness.Dissent-Thephrase“natureofthebusiness”isvagueandisn’tvalidlyraisedasaconcerninthiscase.Beaverisconcernedaboutlocation,notsellingchickens.Factorsfordeterminingwhetherrefusalisunreasonable:
1. Burdenisontenant:tenantmustshowthatthelandlordhasunreasonablywithheldconsent;2. Testiswhetherareasonablepersonwouldwithholdconsent,regardlessofreasonsofspecificlandlord3. Courtcanonlyuseinformationavailabletolandlordattimeofrefusal4. Mustconsiderexistingprovisionsofleaseàrightsoftenanttoassignandrightoflandlordtodeny5. Landlordmaywithholdconsentifassignmentdiminishedvalueofrightsoritsreversion6. Probabilitythattheassigneewilldefaultisreasonablegroundsforwithholdingconsent
- Financialpositionofassigneeisarelevantconsideration7. Mustconsidercommercialrealitiesofthemarketplaceandtheeconomicimpact
NOTE:InAlberta,thereisnolegislationthatmandatesalandlordmustbereasonableinhisrejectionofasublettororassignee.
OBLIGATIONSOFLANDLORDSANDTENANTS(Commercial)Covenants
- Exampleso Topayrent,torepair,tosupplypremiseswithheat&water(presumedbystatute)
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o ToInsure,nottoassignwithoutconsent,quietenjoyment- Canbeonexpressterms–ifnotinthelease,questionifitwasagreeduponimplicitly- Partiescanalsoincorporatetheusualcovenants
o E.g.iftheleasesays“withtheusualcovenants”wehaveastandardsetofcovenantssuppliedbytheCL- InAlbertatherearecovenantsinsertedbyshortreference–scheduledtotheLandTitlesAct
o E.g.says“thetenantwillfence”–theActgivesfullcontentsthataredefined,sojusthavetoincorporatethebasicstatement
- Covenantsareconsideredindependentoftheestateo Failurebyonepartytoperformdoesnotgivetheotherpartyarighttoterminatetheestate
- Unless,acovenantisframedasaconditionofthelease.Estateisapropertything,covenantsareacontractthing.
• Ex.Covenanttopayrentorfaceeviction(commercialproperty)o Leaseholdinterestsubjecttoaconditionsubsequent.
TERMINATIONANDREMEDIES
LandlordRemediesOnabreachofconditionbythetenant,thelandlordmay:
- Re-enterthepremises(therebyterminatingthelease)OR- Maintaintheleaseandsuefordamages- Levydistraint(Seizegoodsofthetenantuntilrentispaid)–don’thavetoknowthis
WaystoEndtheLease
1. Expiration-leaserunsoutnormally.2. Disclaimer-tenantdeniesthetitleofthelessor.Thisgivesrighttotermination.3. Merger-throughthepurchaseofthereversionaryinterestbytenant.4. Frustration-ifsomethingthatisnoone’sfault,substantiallychangesthesubjectmatteroftheleasethentheleaseis
viewedascomingtoanend.5. Breach-breachofacovenantbythetenantthatgiveslandlordoptiontore-enter6. Surrender-bymutualagreement(can’tbeunilateral);abandonment.
- Aleasecanbebroughttoanendbysurrenderasaconsequenceofanexpressactofrepudiationbythetenant,andacceptanceofthesurrenderbythelandlord
- Actofsurrender/acceptancecanbeambiguous.Opensupproblemtobeexploredincaselaw- RulesetoutinGoldhar
ABANDONMENT/SURRENDER–repudiationbythetenant.Whenabandonmentoccurs,thelandlordhas4optionsavailable(1-3:Goldhar;4:HighwayProperties):
1. EnforcetheLease-refusesurrenderandsueforarrears&rentasitcomesdue2. Acceptthesurrender-terminatetenant’sinterestintheproperty
- Alltermsandcovenantsoftheleaseareobliterated- Nolongeraleasesocanonlysueforarrears- Problems:needtofindanewtenantandbearthelossofpotentialmonthlyrentdifference
3. Priortotakingpossession,providenoticeofintenttosubletorassignleaseontheirbehalf,thensueforthedifferenceonceanothertenantisfound.Landlordbecomesanagentfortheex-tenant.
4. Acceptsurrenderandnotifythetenantthataclaimmaybebroughtforprospectivelossescausedbyrepudiationovertheunexpiredportionoftheterm.(HighwayPropertiesv.Kelly,Douglas&Co.)
GoldharvUniversal(Outlinedfirst3optionsunderabandonment;applied#3)Facts:Tenantstuckinaleasetheywantoutof,sentnoticeoftermination.Landlordrejectedtheclaimbuttenantmovedoutanyway.Landlordsuedfor3monthsitspentsearchinganewtenantandthedifferenceinrentIssue:Sincethepartiesdidnotagreetoterminatethelease,didsurrenderbylawoccur?
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SurrenderbyLaw:- Canresultwhentheparty’sconductisinconsistentwiththecontinuedexistenceofthelease- Twocategories:
o Whenlandlordtakessomepossession:Ifequivocal,tenantmustprovethatlandlordintendedtotakepossessionbackandsurrenderpossessionofthelease
o Landlordsignsnewleasewithadifferenttenant:Thisisunequivocalbecauseitcanonlybevalidifthefirstleasewasterminated
§ Exception:thelandlordmay,withnoticetothetenant,takepossessionontenant’sbehalfandsubletorassignit;suingfortheshortfallonceanothertenantisfound
- Landlorddidnotgivenoticesoitcouldnotclaimoption#3- AnticipatoryBreachorDutytoMitigateDONOTAPPLYàtheyarepartofcontractlawàthischangesinHighway
Propertieso Makeadistinctionbetweenaleaseandanotheragreement-ifpartiessignanagreementforaleaseanditstarts
nextmonth,youareintheworldofcontractlaw.Oncepossessionisconveyed,youareintheworldofproperty(sonodutyforthelandlordtomitigatetheirdamagesasrequiredincontractlaw)
HighwayProperties(Leadinglandlord/tenantcase,introducedoption4:futuredamagesafterabandonment)Facts:Supermarketleasedalargespaceinashoppingmallonconditionthatthebusinessoperatescontinuously(covenant).Businesswasnotsuccessfulandwithin2years,tenantabandonedtheproperty.Thisunderminedtheprofitabilityandviabilityoftheentireplaza.Attrial,noprospectivedamagesweregiven.Landlorddidnotgivethespecific“Goldhar”noticethattheyareseekingatenant.Issue:Whattypeofdamages/remedycanthelandlordclaim?Decision:Option4-allowslandlordtosuecontractuallyforfuturedamages,notjustpast.Damagesareclaimedasthepresentvalueoftheunpaidfuturerentfortheunexpiredperiodoftheleaselesstheactualrentpaidbynewtenant.Canalsosueforprovablelossesresultingfromrepudiation.(Basicallyanticipatorybreach–Laskinissayingthere’snodifferencebetweenGoldharapproach,andoption#4toterminatetheleaseandprovidenoticethatthey’reseekingdamages)LaskinfoundsupportinolderAustraliandecisionswithoutwaitingforfuturemonths(alsolawinUSA)tochangeCanadianlaw.CLmakesadistinctionbetweenactsofthelandlordthatareequivocalandunequivocal
• E.g.landlordsignedaleasewithanewtenant,youcan'tclaimanythingunderthenewleasebecausethenitisobliteratedandyouwouldbeestoppedbecausethesecondleaseisonlyvalidifthefirstleasewassurrendered
• Optionslessthansigningalease-e.g.changinglocks,removingbelongings• Needtolookatthecircumstancesandconcludewhetherornottheleasewassurrenderedbyimplication-whichwould
allowforaclaimundertheleaseResultingImportantChangestoCommon-Law
- Stillnodutyofmitigationincommercialleaseso But,thereisoneinresidentialleases*o Kaplinskythinksthisdutyofmitigationshouldbeimposedinallleases.
- Re-lettingdoesnothavetobeonthetenant’sbehalf- Harmonizescontractlawwithleases(CourtallowedplaintifftosueforANTICIPATORYBREACH)
o SCCdecidedthatitwasnolongersensibletoprecludeacommerciallandlordfromtherangeofremediesavailableonbreachofaregularcommercialcontract
- Canonlyapplyoption4whenthereisacovenanttooperatecontinuously- Ifnonotice,onlyoptions1&2areavailable
o Landlordcanpursuealltheremedies,providedtheysendanoticeo Landlordmustgiveaclearindicationofwhichremedytheyarepursuing
DOCTRINEOFEFFICIENTBREACH
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EvergreenvIBI(Landlordbreach–doctrineofefficientbreachpotentiallyappliestocommercialleases)Facts:BuildinginVancouver,leasedbyadesignercompany(IBI).Landlordwantsittobecomearesidentialbuilding,buttherearestill3yearsleftonthelease.Landlordnotifiedthecompanythatitwouldnotbeabletocomplywithitsobligationsunderthelease,IBIrefusedtomoveandallegesthatthebuildinghasspecialarchitecturalvaluethatmeritstheremedyofspecificperformance.DoctrineofEfficientBreach:Ifthereisacontractbetween2parties,anditisnolongerintheinterestof1partytomaintainthecontract,theywillbreachthecontractandpaydamages.Thelawisunclearonwhetherthisdoctrineappliestocommercialleases.Thisisalease–notacontract,butanestateinland.Thelandlordcannotunilaterallycanceltheestate.Nevertheless,theBCCApermittedEvergreentocancelthelease.ThecasewassettledbeforeitgottoSCC.InOntario,thecaselawwenttheoppositeway(ONCATNGAcquisitions–leaseisanestateinland,thereshouldbenoefficientbreach).Ontheotherhand,thereisalotofcommentarysupportingtheBCCAdecision–KaplinskythinksthedoctrineofefficientbreachshouldapplyTvGAcquisitionsOnepartytoaleasecannotunilaterallyenditsobligationsunderthelease(sayingtheCourtofAppealinEvergreengotitwrong)
LICENSES
- Notaninterestinlandorproprietaryinterest,butmerelypermissiontodowhatwouldotherwiseamounttotrespass.- Goodfaithpurchaserforvalueisnotboundbyalicensegiventoanother- Canbeexpressorimplied- Cannotbeassigned- Notbindingonabuyerfromthelicensor
FormsofLicenses1.BareLicense–permissiontobeonland
- Fullyrevocableatanytime–notsupportedbycontract- Includesimpliedlicenses–allowingsomeonetoknockonyourdoor- Ifsomeonemakesameancommentaboutpotatoesbeingundercooked,licensedcanberevoked.
2.ContractualLicense
- Supportedbycontract–revocablesubjecttotermsofthecontracto Ex.Baseballticketcouldnotberevokedforfailuretoproduce,asthetermsofticketcontractdidn’tallowfor
revocationinthesecircumstances(Davidsonv.TorontoBlueJays)o RemovedfornotproducingticketwasNOTmisbehaving
3.IrrevocableLicense- StilesvTodMountain- Usuallyonlyelevatedunderunjustenrichmentorproprietaryestoppel
SignificanceofLicense
- Canbeexpresslyconferredorimplied.- Implicitconsenttoenterpremises,unlesstoldtoleave- Licensecanbeelevatedtoirrevocableequityinterestinspecificcircumstances
o Usuallyunderunjustenrichmentorproprietaryestoppel–establishedbyencourageddeprivation(Stiles)§ Ifanownerrequestsorallowsapersontospendmoneyonthepropertyontheexpectationthattheywill
allowthemtostay,theownerispreventedfromrevokingthatpromise(Torontov.Jarvis&StilesvTodMountain)
§ FuturepurchasersBOUNDbyirrevocablelicenseWITHnotice- Cowper-SmithvMorgan2017SCC61.Anequitycapableofestoppelcanarisewherethereis:1. Arepresentationorassurancebyapropertyowneronthebasisofwhichtheclaimantexpectstoenjoyarightorbenefit
overtheproperty;2. Reasonablerelianceonthatexpectation;and3. Detrimentresultingfromthereliancesuchthatitwouldbeunfairorunjustforthepropertyownerwhomadethe
representationtorenege.GoodfaithpurchaserforvaluewouldNOTbebound–becauseNOnotice.
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Thefailureofonepartytoperformdoesnotprovidetheotherpartyarighttoterminatetheestate
RESIDENTIALTENANCYREFORM
(a)Theimpetusforreform-Toaddressthepowerbalancebetweenlandlordsandtenants(b)Areasofreform
1. Greatersecurityoftenure2. Increatenoticeperiodsfortermination3. Fixingofstandardobligationsoflandlordsandtenantstofairlyallocateresponsibilities4. Increaseavailabletenants’remedies5. Curtailmentoflandlords’self-helpremedies6. Establishmentofprohibitionsonbargainingawayofstatutoryrights7. Eliminationofvariousanachronismsaffectinggenerallandlord/tenantlaw8. Establishdisputeresolutionprocedurestobeinformal,effective,expeditious,andinexpensive9. Creationoflandlord/tenantadvisoryboards10. Rentcontrolmechanisms
(d)Therentcontroldebate1.Rentcontrolsareeconomicallywasteful.Forceslandlordstorentoutpremisesatlessthanmarketvalue,whichrestrictsincentivetomaintainproperupkeepandcreatesincentiveforthewealthytocreateblack-marketswheremoneyisextractedas‘keymoney”beforeatenancyisre-assigned.2.Ontheotherhand,nothinginstatutespreventlandlordsfromenactingonceayearincreasestosuchanexorbitantamounttogetaroundotherobligationsintheRTA.Securityoftenureisthereforesignificantlyimpactedwithoutsuchrentcontrolmeasures.
RESIDENTIALTENANCIESACTPurposeoftheresidentialtenancyreformistoREDUCEthecostofcontracting.Itwouldbeeconomicallyinefficienttohaveeachlandlordandtenantdrafttheirownagreement.Also,tostandardizethetermsinordertoprotecttenantsagainsttermsthatmaybeenteredintovoluntarily.Importanttoprotectvulnerablepersons–lowmeans,victimsofdomesticabuse.S.1:Definitions/Interpretation
- SubstantialBreach–breachunderS.21orseriesofbreachesthathaveaseriouscumulativeimpactS.2:Application
- (e)Doesn’tapplytogroupdormsrentedbyeducationalinstitutions,- Doesn’tapplytomobilehomeparks,campgroundsmotels/b&bs(if<6months),socialcarefacilities(nursinghomes),Uni
Residences- (b)Doesnotapplytopremisesrentedtoanemployeeaspartoftheiremploymentcontract
S.3:ActPrevails- Anyreleaseorwaiverbytenantoftherights,benefits,orprotectionsunderthisActisvoid- IfthereisanyconflictbetweentheActandanythinginthelease,theActprevails
PART1–PERIODICTENANCIES–noterminationsforfixedterms.S.6:TerminationbyLandlord
- (1)TerminationmustbeforareasoninS.11orS.12,orforpersonalusebylandlord,majorrenovations,conversiontonon-residentialuses,orastudentisnolongerastudent
S.7/8/9:NoticetoTerminate- ByLANDLORD:WeeklyLeaseà1week;MonthlyLeaseà3months;YearlyLeaseà3months
o (Commonlaw:MonthlyLeaseà1month)- ByTENANT:Monthlyà1month;Yearlyà2months
S.10:RequirementsofTerminationNotice- Noticeisofnoeffectunlessitisinwriting&signed,&mustsetoutreasonsforterminatingtenant- Mustalsoidentifythepremisesandstatethedate
S.11:NoticetoTerminateTenancyofEmployee
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- IssubjecttoAlberta’slawapplicabletothetenant’semployment,orasagreedinthecontract,or1weekwhicheverislongerorinaccordancewithregulations
S.12:NoticetoTerminateforCondoConversion- 6months’notice
S.14:RentIncreases- Maximumofonetimewithinacalendaryear
o 12weeks’noticerequired(weektoweek);90daysforallotherperiodsPART2–OBLIGATIONSOFLANDLORDANDTENANTS.15:NoticetoterminatenotrequiredforafixedtermtenancyS.16:Landlord’sCovenants
- (a)tenancyavailablefirstdayoflease(b)quietenjoyment(c)mustmeetminimumstandardsunderPublicHealthActS:17:CopyofLeaseAgreementmustbeprovidedwithin21daysS.21:Tenant’sCovenants(violation=substantialbreach)
- Rent&vacateontime,notinterferew/rightsofothertenants,keepreasonablyclean,noillegalacts,nodamageS.22:AssignmentandSublease(modifiescommon-law;differentrequirementsthanforcommercialleases)
- Requireswrittenconsentfromlandlord- Landlordcannotunreasonablyrefuse;mustprovidewrittenreasonablegroundsforrefusal;noresponsein14days
constitutesacceptance;cannotchargeafeeforgivingconsent.S.23:EntryofPremises
- Mustprovidenoticeorobtainconsent,unlessreasonablegroundsindicateanemergencyorabandonmentS.25:ProhibitionreTerminationofTenancy(Retaliation)
- NoretaliationagainsttenantforfilingacomplaintPART3–REMEDIESOFLANDLORDANDTENANT(againmodifiescommon-law;differentthancommercialleases)S.26:Landlord’sRemedies
- Recoveryofrent,sueandtakepossessioniftenantfailstovacate,damages,forsubstantialbreachàtermination- Substantialbreach=s.21violations
S.27:RepudiationofTenancy- Landlordmayacceptorrefusesurrenderandcontinuethetenancy,butlandlordhasadutytomitigate- Ifacceptance,Landlordisstillentitledtoclaimdamagesresultingfromasubstantialbreach(amountofdamagesforrestof
term,etc)S.28/29:TerminationforSubstantialBreachbyLandlord/Tenant
- Righttoterminateforanysubstantialbreach(14days’noticeinwriting&signedwithreasonsandterminationdate)S.37:Tenants’Remedies:Mayapplytoacourtfordamages,abatementofrent,recoveryofcosts,terminationoflease
BAILMENT
ELEMENTSOFABAILMENT- Bailmentisthetemporarytransferofpossession(nottitle)inpersonaltyfromownertobaileewithanexpectationof
reversionbacktothebailorinthefutureo E.g.ChangeofpossessionWITHOUTachangeofownershipo Canbecontractualorgratuitouso Abailmentdoesnotrequireconsent,youareabaileeanytimeyoupossesssomeoneelse’sgoodso Lawrequiresbaileetotakereasonablecaretothatofprudentownero Generally,mustberedeliveredintheiroriginaloralteredform
- Exceptions:repairsorpartsreplaced,deliveredtoa3rdparty,- Quasibailment–afindermaybedeemedtobea“quasi-bailee”onthebasisthatthetrueownerwouldprobablyagreeto
thefindertakingpossessiononhisorherbehalf- Involuntarybailment–whengoodsareimposedonapartywhothenassumescontrol- Unconsciousbailment–persontakespossessionunderthemistakenimpressionthattheyownthegoods
Stepsforbailmentclaims:1. Bailormustshowthattheactscomplainedofoccurredduringthecourseofthebailment,notbeforeorafter
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2. Once#1isshown,burdenisshiftedtobailee,becausebaileeisinapositiontoshedlightonthefacts3. Baileemustdisprovethathisnegligencecausedtheinjury.Showeitherthat:
- Theyactedasaprudentownerandundertookreasonableprecautions–standardofcareisreasonablecaretaken- Whatstandardofcareareweconcernedwith?
o Traditionally,dependsonforwhomthebailmentisbeneficial.Differentifforbailor,bailee,orboth.Ifforbailee’sbenefit,highstandardofcare.Ifforbailor’sbenefit,moderatetolowerstandardofcare.Ifforboth,regularstandardofcare.
o Now,Letourneausuggestthatthereisonestandardof“reasonableness”- Anyfailingsinthatregardwerenotthecauseofthelossorinjury(causation)- Formerlythelawdemandedhigherstandardsofcareforarewardbaileecomparedtoagratuitousbailee
o Thisisnolongerthecase–thereisonestandard–simplenegligenceEconomicPerspectiveonBailment
- Mustgiveincentivestopeopletoavoidrisksandtakeprecautions- Theowneristheonlyonewhoknowsthevalueoftheitemsonbailment- Notefficienttoputtheonusonthedefendant,becausetheownerisbestpositionedtotakeprecautions
WaiverofLiability
- Abaileebycontractmayinsertawaiverclause- Thesearestrictlyconstrued–iffornegligencethenitmustbeexplicitlymadeorimpliedunambiguously
OBLIGATIONSOFABAILEE(LetourneauvOttoMobiles)Ifthereisabailmentcontract,obligationsofpartiesaresetoutincontract.Ifthereisnobailmentcontract,thencourtstakethefollowingapproach:ModernApproach–Negligence
- Obligationofbaileegenerallyistotakethesamecareofthegoodsreceivedaswouldaprudentowner,actingreasonably,beexpectedtotakeofhisowngoods.Dutyofcareowedissimplenegligence
StrictLiabilityMinichiellov.DevonshireHotel(baileeliableforcontentsofcar,ifhehasknowledge)
- Phadacasefullofjewelleryinthetrunkofhiscarwhenheleftitinalotwiththekeysintheignition(asinstructed);Defendantsweremadeawareofjewellerybutacceptedthebailmentnonetheless.Thecarwasstolen
- Court:Baileeisliableforthecontentsofthetrunk(jewelleryincludedinthebailment)o Liableforreasonablyexpectedcontentsorifhehasknowledgeofunexpectedcontentso ReasonablecarewasNOTmetbecauseofthestatementthattherewerevaluablesinthecar.o *Baileeforreward*-carhasvaluablesinit,enoughtomakeDliableforthevalueofthegoods.
Whoshouldbearspeciallosses?RulethatmakesthemresponsibleforthespeciallossinMinichellioisnotconsistentwiththeruleinHadleyvBaxendale-therethedefendantisexcusedfromlossesthataren'tgenerallyforeseeable-BUTconsidertheruleintortlawinVosburg(thinskull)-needtotaketheplaintiffaswefindthemOBLIGATIONSOFABAILOR
- BaileeisonlyresponsibleforcontentsreasonablyexpectedtobewithinthepersonaltyANDanythingthatisdrawntotheattentionofthebailee
- Ifleavingacarwithvaluablediamondsinit,noticemustbeprovidedtobaileebeforebailmenttakeeffect,orbaileeisnotliableforanyloss(innkeeperexception)
- Bailorforrewardhasdutytoensurechattelsarereasonablyfitandsuitableforthepurposeofthehirer
Letourneauv.OttoMobilesEdmonton(issueofwhentransferofpossessionoccurred)Facts:Plaintiffslefttheirtrailertoberepairedbythedefendants.Itwentmissing.
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Issue:Isthereabailment?Decision:1.TransferofPossession?Yes-LetourneauactedpursuanttoD’sinstructionsandaccordingtothestandardpractice,possessionwastransferredwhenthekeywasleftandthetrailerparkedintheadjacentlot2.WaiverClause?Courtsaidthisappliestoinitialrepairtransactionbutnotfuturework.Wouldn’thaveappliedregardlessbecausewaiverclausesmaybeinsertedbythebaileebutwillbestrictlyconstrued(negligencemustbeexplicitlywaivedandinthiscasewaiverdidnotmentionlossbytheft).3.ContributoryNegligence?No,becausetheyactedinlinewithprovidedinstructionsTHEONUSOFPROOFINBAILMENTCLAIMS(i)Generalrule:Oncebailmentisestablishedonabalanceofprobabilities,presumptionofnegligencearises(ii)Theelementsofareverseonusclause
- Presumptionhas3components:1) Triggeringfacts-bailormustprovetheessentialfacts,includingthattheactscomplainedofoccurredduringbailment.
Noteasytodo.2) Short-cuttoproof-thefactsarethenpresumedagainstbailee3) EscapeRoute-themattersthatthebaileemustproveinordertoovercometheshiftinonus
- Topassthroughescaperoute,baileemustproveitsnegligencedidnotcausetheinjury- Doesnotneedtofullyexplainwhathappened,rathermustshow(a)thesystemtocareforthegoodswasreasonableand
uptoproperstandards,or(b)anyfailingsornegligencewerenotconnectedtotheloss- Reversingonusisappropriatesinceonlybaileeknowswhatactuallyhappenedwithgoods
SUB-BAILMENT(PUNCHV.SAVOY)SUB-BAILMENT
- Abailorhasadirectrightofactionagainstasub-baileewhere:o Bailorhasanimmediaterighttoterminatetheprinciplebailment,ando Sub-baileeacceptsgoodsknowingthattheybelongtosomeoneotherthanthesub-bailor
§ ThereisarighttosueevenwherethereisnodirectcontractualprivityBailor’sRightsagainstSub-Bailee
- Modernpositionisthatthebailordoeshaveacauseofactionagainstthesub-baileeforeitherdamageorloss,incircumstancesthatwouldgiverisetoarighttoterminatethesub-bailmentaslongastheyacceptedthegoodsrecognizingthatthebaileedoesn’thavetitle
- Basisoftheclaimnotoncontract(nocontracthere)sotheonlyoptionisthatthebailorwouldmoveagainstthesub-baileeonthebasisofthetermsofthesub-bailment
o Suggeststhetermsofthesub-bailmentisbindingonthebailor,butthisisnotthecase(Punch)
Punchv.Savoy’sJewellersLtd(SUB-BAILMENT–BAILOR’SRIGHTS)Facts:DropsoffringforrepairatSavoy’s;theysenditouttoTorontoforrepair(withoutaskingtheowner);Postalstrikeensues,sub-baileeinTorontohiresCNRapidextocouriertheringbacktoSavoy’s;Ringnevermakesit.Obtaininginsuranceforthevalueofthegoodswasatermofthecontractfortransport.
- WalkerandSavoyliableb/cdidnotpayfortheextrainsuranceanddidnotdeclarethevalueofthering.TheyTrustedanunfamiliarcarriertotransferit,withoutobtaininginstructionsfromtheowner
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- CNRapidexbecauseitfailedtoexplainlossofringDecision:CNcouldnothidebehindthewaiverclausefortworeasons:
1. “Lostordamaged”didnotincludeemployeethefto Exemptionclauseswillbestrictlyconstruedandmustexplicitlystatetheliabilityexemptedo CNmustshowthattherewasnotheft,becauseit'sabailmentandtheonusisreversed
2. Punchneversignedtheclause(ProblematicforCNRapidex)o Butproblem:PunchcanstepintoshoesofWalkertosueCNinbailment,BUT,thenwantstosayshedidnotsigna
waiverclause,despitesteppingintoWalker’sshoeswhodidsignittoclaimagainstCN.Sheshouldbeheldtothetermsofthebailment.
Ratio:Punchsuggeststhatevenifyouhaveawaiverclause,thebailormightstillcomeafteryouandtheclausemightnotbebindingRule:Unlesstheplaintiffauthorizedthetermsofthesub-bailment,thentheplaintiffisnotboundbythem
ThePioneerContainer• Privityofcontractnotpresent.Agreementbetweenbaileeandsub-baileewouldn’tbebindingasperPunchvSavoy.
However,PrivyCouncilfoundinKthattheyconsentedtoanyterms.
CHAPTER9:CO-OWNERSHIPNote:Commonlawlovesjointtenancy.Makesiteasytodeterminewhoownsproperty.Whoisalive?Easytodeterminewhohasseisin.Tellsuswhoisresponsiblefortheincidents.Example:OdevisesGreenacre“untoandtotheuseofAllyandJackintrustforCardyandWiz”.Jackdies.Answer:Jack’sinterestisextinguished,leavingthewholeinteresttoAllythroughsurvivorship.S8LPAdoesn’tapplybecauseitisatrust.Example:OdevisesBlackacre“untoandtotheuseofAllyandJackintrustforCardyandWiz”.Cardydies.Answer:JackandAllyholdtheestateintrustforWiz,andCardy’sheirs.Example:OdevisesWhiteacre“untoandtotheuseofAandBIntrustforAandB”Adies.Answer:A’slegalinterestpassestoBthroughsurvivorship.A’sequitableinterestispassedtoA’sheirs.Bretainshisequitableinterest.Willsandsuccessionact–Ifdieatsametime,jointtenantsbecometenantsincommon.
JOINTTENANCY- Eachpartyownsthewholeoftheland(JTsareconsideredonepersoninlaw)–legalfictionwhereallofthemareonesingle
owner.- Rightofsurvivorship(“winnertakeall”scenario)
o Whenonepartydies,hisinterestisextinguishedandthesurvivor’sinterestisenlargedbythecorrespondingamount(noactualinterestispassed)
- Jointtenancyrequires:The"FourUnities":interest;title;time*;possession;ANDIntention.- Jointtenancyispresumedforpurepersonalty.- Commonlawpresumption“toAandhisheirs”is“toAandhisheirsinjointtenancy”.
FourUnities(ALLarerequiredtomakeajointtenancy)
1.Possession:rightsmustrelatetothesamepieceofproperty- Eachpossessesthewholeoftheland(hastobeequal)
2.Title:eachjointtenant'stitlemustbederivedfromthesamedocumentoroccurrence(i.e.grant)
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3.Interest:theholdingsofeachjointtenantmustbeequalinnature,extentandduration4.Time:mustvestininterestatthesametime
o *Exceptionforwhencontingentinterestsarecreatedthroughawillordeedtouses• Idevisetomysons,whentheyturn18(canvestatdifferenttimes).
o CanvestinpossessionatdifferenttimesIntention:Evenwhereall4unitiesarepresent,JTvs.TICdependonintentionsofthegrantor.MustbeintentiontocreateJT(rightofsurvivorship)
TENANCYINCOMMON- SplitShares(norightofsurvivorship)–notionalsharesintheproperty.Upondeath,thenotionalsharesformpartoftheir
estate.- Onlyunityofpossessionismandatory- Evenwhen4unitiesarepresent,equitypresumestenancyincommoninthefollowingsituations:
o Partnershipassetso Mortgages–aburdenonyourlegaltitleo Whenmoneytopurchasepropertyisprovidedinunequalshareso Ifpossessionissharedbyindividualspursuingseparatecommercialenterprises
- Atcommonlawà JointTenancyispresumed;however,theslightestindicationthatpropertywasmeanttobeheldincommonissufficientrebuttal
- InAlbertaà TenancyinCommonispresumedtobecreatedunlessotherwisestated(LPA,s.8).o Thisstatutorypresumptiondoesnotapplyfortransfersoflandtoexecutorsortrusteeso Italsodoesn’tapplytopersonalty.Onlytointerestsinland.
Differingco-ownershipatlegalandequitytitle:Itispossibleforpartiestoholdlegaltitletoaparceloflandinoneformofco-ownership,whileholdingequitabletitletothesameparceloflandinanotherformofco-ownership.
- O:“UntotoandtouseofAandB,intrustforAandB”-AandBarejointtenantsinlaw,andtenantsincommoninequity- IfBdiesfirst,thenAassumesfulllegaltitlebysurvivorship–B’sequitableinterest,beingheldincommon,passestoB’s
estate,leavingAtoholdlegaltitleasatrusteefortheequitableowners:B’sestateandA.WaysaTenancyinCommoniscreated:
- ExpressCreation,pursuanttoStatutoryPresumption,resultingfrom“failed”or“imperfect”tenancies(lackofunities),byOperationofLaw(ex.Intestacy–persondieswithnospousebutmultiplechildren)
- ThroughactsorwordsofseveranceMatrimonialPropertyActS.36
- Presumesjointtenancyinmarriageunlessprovenotherwisewhenlegaltitleheldinjoint
SEVERANCEOnustodemonstratethattherehasbeenaseveranceliesonthepartycontendingit(Sorenson).WordsofSeverance(usedtodetermineinitialco-ownershipplan)
- Atcommonlaw:“Equally”,“Shareandsharealike”,“Toeach”,“Amongst”,“Between”,“Respectively”=TenantsinCommon
- E.g.“ToAandBequally”–sothatifAdied,thepropertyisownedbyBandA’sheirsandviceversa.3TYPESOFSEVERANCEOFJOINTTENANCY
1. UnilateralConductthatresultsinthedestructionofanyofthe4unitieso Unilateralseveranceunderlegislation–LPA12(1)(d)
§ AJointTenantcanconveytohimself,becomingaTIC§ MustgivenoticetotheotherJTfirst–LPAS.65
o Ex.transferofanequitableinterestseverstheequitable“title”unity(Sorensen)
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§ A,B,Choldtitlejointly;Cconveystohimself;A&Bhold2/3asjointtenants;Cholds1/3assolitarytenantincommon–unityoftitlehasbeennegatedforC.CacquiresinterestatadifferentTIME,andUNITY.
2. MutualAgreement(EquityOnly)o Partieshavemutuallyagreedtoseverbuthavenotdestroyedthe4Unities,doesn’tseveratcommonlaw,but
equitywillimposeseveranceasameansofavoidingofimpositionofsurvivorshipruleonco-ownerswhomightnothavebeenawareofsurvivorship
o Onlyoperatesinequity,asequityregardsasdonewhatoughttohavebeendone§ Ex.saledoesnotresultinseverance,butsharingproceedsdoesinequity§ Jointtenantsbothdevisepropertyintheirwillsseparately–equitywillseverJT
3. “CourseofDealing”(EquityOnly)o Negotiationsfallingshortofmutualagreementorabindingcontractcanstillbesufficienttocreateseveranceof
jointtenancy(atequity)o Negotiationsaremoredemonstrativeofintentiontoseverinmatrimonialdisputesordivorces(Havlikv
Whitehouse)o Thesenegotiationsmustbesufficienttodemonstratethatbothpartiesmutuallytreatedthepropertyas
constitutingatenancyincommon
Sorensenv.Sorensen(severanceofajointtenancythroughcreationofatrust)–Thiswaspoorlydecided.Shereallyhadalifeestate.Hehadareversion.Theinterestswerenotthesame.Thejointtenancywasbroken.Facts:Marriedcouple.Husbandtriestoassertsurvivorshipinthefamilyhome.Mrs.Sorensenpriortodeathdeclaresherselfastrusteeforherson.Equitableinterestgoestoherson(seversjointtenancyàequitabletitlenowsharedastenantsincommon);fatherstillhassolelegaltitle.Otherfacts.Mrs.Sorensonsuesforpartition.Passesbeforetrial.Husbandsuesforcaveatsonallofthepropertyasajointtenant.Separationagreementwasnotenough,becauseneitherpartyviewedthatasseveringthetenancy.Chargeormortgagedoesnotoperateasatransferoftheestate.Thewife’swill?Youcannot,bywill,disposeofassetsthatdonotformpartofyourestate.Theactionofpartitioncommencedbythewife?Leasedoesnotseverthetenancy.LPAS19.Iftheinterestinlandthatissubjectofanorderisheldinjointtenancy,theorderonbeinggrantedseversthejointtenancy.Here,wifedied.Consequently,couldn’tseverwiththat.Metro-matic:JustbecauseyoutakeextraprecautionsdoesNOTmeantheydidn’tintendsomethingtobesufficient.AttemptedMethodsofSeveranceinSorensenSeparationagreement-NotsufficientforseveranceviamutualagreementmethodofseveranceActionforpartition-Wouldhavebeenvalidifcompletedandorderedbythecourtbeforeshedied(LPAs.19)GiftMortisCausa-GiftsofrealpropertyinCanadanotpermittedimpendingdeath.ViaWill–RightofSurvivorshiptrumpswills.Whataboutchargesonproperty?InAB-mortgagescreateanencumbranceonyourtitle(butdoesn’tseverJT).Incommonlawamortgagecouldsevertitle.Lease-Alease,succeedingthelifeofthetenant,woulddestroyoneoftheunitiesàcreatingaseverancebecausetherightofsurvivorshipdoesnotsupersedetheleaseholdinterest.But,aleaseforlifedoesnotdisrupttheunities.
- Kaplinsky:leaseforlifeiseffectivelyalifeestate,whichbreakstheunityofinterest,causingaseveranceDeclarationofTrust–thisonlyseveredtheequitabletitle-Intentiontoseverjointtenancywithoutfurtheractiondoesnotseverthejointtenancyoflegaltitle,unlessthereiscommunication&acceptancebytheotherpartyIntervivosgiftoftitle:noseveranceatcommonlaw.Recall:anytimeagiftismade,equitypresumesthatthegiftorintendedtokeepthebeneficialinterest.Thismustberebuttedbytheevidence.UNLESSthegiftisparenttoaminorchild(presumptionofadvancement),OTHERWISEequitypresumesagiftwasNOTintended
- Sontakesgiftbecauseofthepresumptionofadvancement
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RESOLVINGCO-OWNERSHIPDISPUTES- Evenafterseverance,theco-ownersonlylosetherightofsurvivorship.Eachstillhastherighttopossessionofthewhole
property.Thisoftenresultsinissuesfortheparties-howtoresolvetheseissues?OldRule:Ifonepersoninaconcurrentownershipsituationleavesforanumberofyears,thecommonlawpositionisthathehasnorightsshouldhereturn.Thisapplieseveniftheonewhostayed,decidedtoleaseitorearnedprofitfromtheland.StatuteofAnne(1705)–appliestojointtenantsortenantsincommon
- Co-ownerisliabletotheotherco-ownerforrentingtheproperty,butnotliablefromhis/herownuseofthepropertyorsoleoccupation
o Ifyougrowcropsàyoukeepalltheprofits,justasyouassumeallrisko Ifyoutakeatenantàrentisdividedbetweentheco-ownersàLPAs.17(2)(c)
CommonLawActionsWaste:unreasonableuseofpropertybyonetenantisactionableforwaste(onlyequitablewaste)
- Unlikealifetenantoralessee,aco-tenantinfeesimplemayusethepropertyinthesamemanneraswouldanownerwhodidnotsharetitlewithco-owners,subjectonlytoadutytoactreasonably(notmaliciously,notdestructively,etc)
- SuefordamagestorecoverOuster:liabilityisincurredbyaco-ownerifhe/sheexcludestheotherco-ownerfromusingtheproperty
- Also,liableifexcludedbyforceorbythreatsthatmakeitintolerablefortheothertoremaino Domesticviolence,etc.(notjustplayingloudmusicatnight)
- Expandedinterpretationifbetweenspouses(ie.makeitdifficulttolivethere)- NowgovernedbyFamilyLaw- Sueforoccupationrentàotherpartypaysyoutorentyourshareoftheproperty
AdversePossessionofJointTenants:Generallynoadversepossessionasyoucannotbeadverselypossessingwhatyoualreadyownandhavetitleto.ModernStatutoryRemediesLAWOFPROPERTYACTS.15(2):PartitionorSale-Co-ownermayapplytocourtforterminationofco-ownership(Alsorequiressubdivisionapprovalfor15.2(a)
- Courtshallchooseoneof3optionsA. Physicaldivisionofallorpartoftheland(partition).B. Saleofpartoralloftheinterestanddistributionofproceeds.C. Saleofpartoralloftheinteresttotheotherco-owner(s).
S.17:Accounting,Contribution,andAdjustment- Courtmaydirectanadjustmenttobemadeandcompensationbepaidforanunequaldivisionoftheland- Considerations(courtcantakeothersintoaccount):
o Exclusionfromlando Statusofco-owner:tenant,bailiff,oragentfortheotherco-ownero Ifoneco-ownerreceivesmorethantheirjustsharefromathirdparty
§ Leasefrommineralrights,rentingtoatenant,creatingahotel,etc.§ (OKifyouworkthelandyourselfthough)
o Wasteo Improvementsorcapitalpaymentsthatincreasedvalueo Compensationfornon-capitalexpensesspent
§ Ifyouclaimnon-capitalexpenses,youneedtoberequiredtopayfairoccupationrentS.19:Orderseversjointtenancy:AssoonascourtmakesoneofthreedecisionsrightofsurvivorshipisextinguishedS.21:Discretiontostaypartition/saleofmatrimonialhome
- Courtcandeferadecision,notwithstandingsection15(2),todeferonmattersgoingtomatrimonialhome
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o Letfamilylawcourtsmakeanorder,andoncethatissettled,wecanorderpartitionandsaleVerhulstEstatevDenisik–APinalbertaforJT/TICisalmostimpossible.Wouldhavetorisetothelevelofouster,essentially.Mustbeactiveexclusion.NoousterinVvD.Noabandonment.Mereindifference.Nostatutoryarrangementforadult-interdependentparties.Canonlyshowunjustenrichment.Deprivation+Benefitw/absenceofjuristicreason.Inordertogetnon-matrimonialrealproperty,mustshowthattherewasa“jointfamilyventure”.Bill28–getsridofthematrimonialpropertyactinJanuary2020.ChangetoFamilypropertyAct2020.Includesadultinterdependentpartners.Assetspriortomarriagebutwhilelivingtogetherincommonlawwillbesubjecttoequitabledivision.
CHAPTER10:SERVITUDESINTRODUCTIONServitude:rightofuseoverpropertythatbelongstoanother.Servitudescanbeattachedto,andpasswith,atransferofrealty.FunctiontoimproveutilityofthelandwhilenotoverburdeningtheST.Example:Easement.Easement:anagreementbetweentwopropertyownersthatresultsinaprivilegewithoutprofitannexedtoandtoutilizethelandofasubservienttenementortopreventtheSTfromutilizinghislandinaparticularmannerfortheadvantageofthedominanttenement.IncorporealHereditament:generally,anintangiblerightinland,suchasaneasementwhichisnon-possessoryEasementversusLicense:
- Licensetodosomethingmightbetransformedinsomecircumstancesintoaproprietaryinterestinthenatureofaneasement
o Privilegetogothroughtheland(license)maysatisfytheconditionofeasementsandbecomeproprietaryinthatabuyerwouldbeentitledorburdenedbytheright
FOURESSENTIALELEMENTSOFANEASEMENTEllenboroughParkWastherightthatwasgrantedamerelicense,oraneasementthatcontinuesonwiththeland?
1. Mustconnectadominanttenement(whichenjoysthebenefit)andservienttenement(whichisburdened)a. Ifonlyapersonaladvantage,itisalicense.Mustbesomeconnectionbetweentheconcessionandthevalueof
thelandi. Policyunderlying–easementasopposedtolicensereducesthevalueoftheland.Onlycontinuesinsofar
asvalueisgainedbytheotherlandb. EasementsmustbeconnectedtoaDT,butnotnecessarilyadjacent.
i. Don’tneedtobecontiguous,butmustbecloseenoughforsomebenefittobegainedii. Can’tholdaneasement“ingross”-meaning“upintheair”,aneasementnotconnectedtoanyparcelof
land1. Valueconcerns2. Informationconcerns3. Re-negotiationconcerns
c. LandTitlesActs.69(3)-onregistration,allowgranteetouselandwithtermsofgrantnotwithstandingthebenefitoftherightisnotannexedtoanylandofthegrantee.
i. Allowsmunicipalitiesandutilitycompaniestohaveeasementsoverpropertydespitenotowningpropertyconnectedtoit
2. Easementmustaccommodatethedominanttenement
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a. TestiswhethertherightmakestheDTabetterandmoreconvenientpropertyi. Ellenborough–therighttousetheparkmakesthosehousesbetter&moreconvenient
b. Rightmustbereasonablynecessaryforenjoymentoftheland,notmerelyconferanadvantagec. “Accommodation”requirementofreasonableproximitybetweendominantandservienttracts
i. Theyneednotbeadjacent,closenessdependsmostlyontypeofrightinvolvedd. HillvTupper–ownerofacanalleaseslandonthebanktotheplaintiff.Partoftheleaseincludes“thesoleand
exclusiverighttoputpleasureboatsonthewater.”Thisisalicenseandnotaneasement.Easementmustrelatetoanattributeofownershipthat’snormallyassociatedwithland,thisrightisnotconnectedwiththebetterenjoymentofthelanditself
i. Reasons:1. Iftryingtocreateanewpropertyright-limitedbynumerusclausus2. Needtoconsidertherighttoaccommodatebusinessandnottheland3. Propertylawshouldpromotecompetition
e. Manyrightscanbesubjecttoaneasement,e.g.therighttoparkonsomeone’slandi. Positiveeasementsii. Negativeeasements
3. Dominantandservienttenementsmustbeownedbydifferentpersons
a. BUT:LandTitlesAct-s.68-Owneroflandmaygranthimselfaneasementorrestrictivecovenantforbenefitsoflandandagainstthelandtheownerowns.EasementinthiscaseISNOTMERGED.
i. Usefulfordeveloperstogiveallsubdivisionownerstherighttoanalleypriortoindividualsaleofthelotsb. IfeasementexistsoverST,andownerofDTpurchasestheservientlands,theeasementmerges.(thisisnot
anticipatedbys.68ofLandTitlesAct)c. LandTitlesActss68-69alsomodifythecommonlaw:
i. Oneallowsmunicipalities,utilitycompaniestoowneasementsthatarenotpertinenttoadominanttenement
ii. Theotherisimportantforresidentialdevelopment,allowseasementsandcovenantstobeinsertedbyonedeveloperoverdifferentpartsoftheprojectwhilethedeveloperisstilltheownerofallthelandssothedevelopercanselllotstobuyersalreadyburdenedorbenefitfromtheseeasement/tenements
4. Easementmustbecapableofformingthesubject-matterofagrant
a. Maintainsthefictionthatalleasementsoriginateingrants.Mustbecapableoftransferringinagrant.b. Easementmustbesufficientlycertainastoberecognizedaspropertyright.Can’tbetoobroadortoovague.c. Otherrules:mustbeacapablegrantorandgrantee,grantcannotrequireservientownertospendmoney(apart
fromfencingeasement),cannotbeforrecreationoramusement,andcannotconferrightofpossessionorcontrolofservientlandscontrarytopossessoryrightsofservientowner.
d. Requirementofnon-possessoryposessomeproblemsbutismeanttopreventpossessoryrightsthatcouldsterilizetheservientlands.Betterwaymaybetophrasesitas“substantialinterference”withservientlandisnotallowed
e. Novelclaims,evenonethatmeetstheaboverequirements,maynotsucceed(newpositiveeasementsmoreeasilyrecognizedthannegative)
EasementsandPossession:ThePipelineExample
- Typically,easementscannotincluderightsofjointoccupationthatsubstantiallydeprivestheservienttenementofproprietorship.
- Pipelines,however,haveapermanentphysicalpresencethatpreventstheservientownerfromusingthelandanywaythattheydesire
o Grantorispreventedfromdisturbingtopsoil(nocultivation)orerectingworksonthestripsofright-of-way–nevertheless,pipelinesareavalidformofeasementinAlberta
o Atcommonlaw,thepipelineunderKaplinsky’sgaragewouldnotbeaneasementNegativeEasements–Closedlist.Canpreventtheowneroftheservienttenantfromactinginamannerinconsistentwiththeeasements.
- Righttolight.- Righttolateralsupport.- Righttoventilation.- Righttocontinuetoreceivewaterfromanartificialstream.
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CREATIONOFEASEMENTSExpressGrantandReservation
- Shouldidentifythedominanttenement,theservienttenement,thenatureandscopeoftheeasement,thetimeperiodforwhichtheeasementcontinues,andanyrightsandresponsibilitiesofeitherpartywithrespecttotheeasement.
- Expressreservation:grantorretainsarightofaccessoverthelandheisselling.- Anyambiguityisinterpretedinfavourofthegrantee- Requiresclearlanguage- Grantorispresumednottoderogatefromagrant
ImpliedGrantandReservation–Notautomaticallyimplied.Mustbeareasonforthemtobeapplied.i.EasementofNecessity:Internallimitsontheeasementgranted.MustbewhatwasNECESSARYatthetime.Iewon’tallowNelsontoclaimfulluseovertheroadandwhatnot.
- Theseariseoutofpublicpolicytoensurethatalllandremainsaccessibleandusable,orfromtheimpliedintentionsoftheparties(Nelson)
- IfdominantlandsaresoldoffsuchthatDTisotherwiselandlockedatthetimeoftransfer,aneasementofnecessityofaccesswillariseinfavourofthelandlockedland(almostgrantedinNelsonv1153696Alberta).
o Caseturnedontheorderinwhichthelandsweresubdivided.Toshowaneasementofnecessity,youmustbeabletoshowwhoshouldbetheservienttenement.Cannotprovewhoistheservienttenement,soNelsonloses.
o Nodedicationofahighwayherebecausenoclearintenttodedicate§ Intentmustbeapparent–givingupALLproprietaryrightsinthehighway,unlikeaneasement.§ LandunderaleasewillRARELYbededicated,ifever.Can’trelinquishpropertyinterestyou’reofwhich
you’renotinpossession,andtheintentmustbeoftheownerinfeesimple.o PossiblehostilitytoShalomPark.
- Thisformofeasementisbasedonaruleofconstruction,soityieldstocontraryintention.Here,explicitlanguageisusuallyrequiredbeforethisimpliedrightwillbeexcluded.
- Ifanothermeansofaccessisavailable,thisrightissometimesdenied.- Canalsoariseastheresultofanimpliedreservation:whereservientlandsaresold,land-lockingthedominanttenement
i.IntendedEasements:
- Easementswillsometimesarisegiveeffecttothecommonintentionoftheparties,consideringthepurposesforwhichthelandhasbeengrantedorretained
- Eg.Wongv.Beaumont-leasedabasementforarestaurant–originaltenantleasedthebasementforarestaurant–evenbeforetheleasewasexecuted,leaseesignedacovenantthatdealtwiththepreventionofodours-intendedeasementforpropertyventilationwasfoundbecausewithoutitthepremiseswouldnotmeetpublichealthcodesnorthetermsofthelease.Analogoustolandlockedproperties.Musthavebeentheintentionofthepartiestoallowsuchaducttobebuilt.
- Denning:aneasementwasnecessarygiventhepurposeofthelease.Theinterestthetenantacquiresisnogoodunlessthetenanthastherighttorunthatduct
- Needtoaskiftheeasementarisesfromnecessity,orfromtheimpliedintentionsofthepartiesiii.RuleinWheeldonvBurrows(Consumerprotectioneasement)–NOTonexam
- Ifaneasementrunsbetweentwopropertiesofthebuyer,itservesasaquasi-easementandbecomesaneasementwhenyoubuytheland(implied,eventhoughnotmadeexpressly)
- Requiresconsiderationofhowaparceloflandwasusedbeforeitwasdividedintoseparateparcelsunderseparateownership.Whilethepropertywasasingleparcel,theownermayhaveestablishedlanesknownasquasi-easements.Whenthepropertyisdividedintoseparateparcels,thesequasi-easementsmaybecomeactualeasementsbyimplicationinthegrant.
- Requiresthatthequasi-easementsmeet3criteria:(easements,butnotbebecausethere’sonlyoneowner)1. Thequasi-easementmusthavebeeninuseatthetimeofthegrant.2. Existenceofthequasi-easementmusthavebeencontinuousandapparent.
§ Mustbesomeobservablephysicalevidenceofitsexistence§ Ex.drainpipe,well-wornpathorroad
3. Thequasi-easementmustbenecessaryforthereasonableenjoymentoftheproperty.- Note:OperatesONLYinfavourofthegrantee.Thisruleisgenerallynotapplicableforimpliedreservationsbecausethe
grantoroflandsoughttohavebargainedfortheeasementincontention.
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iv.Estoppel–Claimantmustestablishthattherewassomethingintheiruseoftheirneighbour’slandforaccesstotheirownthatwouldmakeitunconscionablefortheirneighbourtonowinsistonhisorherlegalrighttodenythataccess.Ifarepresentationismadetotheprospectivepurchaserofthelandthatcertainlaneswillbesetasidefortheuseofthelandofferedforsale,andonthisrepresentationthelandispurchased,thegrantorisestoppedfrompreventingthegranteefromusingthelaneastherightofwayv.Statutory
- InAlberta’scondominiumlegislation,aneasementlateralsupportisimpliedinfavourofeveryunitcapableofenjoyingtheserights.
- Thelegislationalsocreateseasementsovercommonareas,andrightofwaysofwater,sewage,draining,gas,electricity,garbage,artificiallyheatedandcooledair,telephone,andtelevisionservices.
- SurfaceRightsAct–formunicipalities,companiesvi.Prescription
- NolongerpossibleinAlberta;LawofPropertyAct-s.69(3)- Lawpretendsaneasementwasgrantedatsometimeinthepast,asevidencedbylong,uninterrupteduse.Doctrine
protectsrelianceon,andenjoymentof,long-heldandunchallengedrights.- Inthepast,hasincludedthingslikerighttopreventneighbourfromerectinglargestructureduetouninterruptedlight
reachingyourwindowfor20years.EASEMENTSBYOPERATIONOFLAW
- Ramblingrights- Utilityrightsoflaw- Condominiumlaw
TERMINATIONOFEASEMENTS
1. NaturalterminationàDominanttenementintendedtoabandonorsurrendertheeasement.o Conditionprecedent.
2. Expressrelease3. Impliedrelease/abandonment(CostavJenikas)
o E.g.ifgov’topensupatunnelorsomethingtotheland,thenit’simpliedthatthedominantnolongerneedsaneasement(sonolongeroutofnecessity).
4. Proprietaryestoppel;e.g.Personsaystheynolongerneedtheeasementsotheservienttenementownerstartsputtingmoneyinto.Ex-dominanttenementcan’tgobackontheirword.
5. Foreasementsofnecessity,wheneasementsnolongernecessary?
SCOPEOFEASEMENTSGeneralPrinciples
- Theprimeconsiderationisthepurposeoftheoriginalgrant;considersfactorssuchas:physicalnatureofservientlands,extenttowhichanexpansionwouldthrottleactivityontheservienttenement
- Generally,granteecannotincreasetheburdenontheservientlandsbeyondtherightsinitiallyconveyed.o BUT,ifitwascontemplatedorcanbeimpliedthattheeasement’susecouldchangeovertime,thegranteecan
increasetheburdenàLaurievWinch- Courtsconsiderswordingofthegrantandexternalcircumstances
Lauriev.Winch-1953SCRDominanttenementcanbeinferredfromthecircumstances.Facts:Farmland(DT)wassubdividedintoresidentiallots.Theoriginaleasementgrantedwasaperpetualright-of-wayoverLot#33,whichwassplitintoalargenumberofeasements,onebeingattachedtoeachnewlot.Theeasementwasalsowidened.Onepartynowseekstopreventtheothersfromgainingaccesstotheeasement,oralternatively,limitingtheeasementtotheoriginalscope.Issues:(1)whatisthedominanttenement,(2)whatistheSCOPEoftheeasement?Reasons:
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o Whilethereisnomentionofdominanttenementingrant,words“overlot33”canbegivenmeaningthroughintroductionofextrinsicevidencetoidentifytheDTascontemplatedbytheparties–inthiscase–thefarmwastheintendeddominanttenement.
o Nothinginthelanguageoftheeasementtorestrictitsscopeaswasarguedbytheappellanto Attimeofthegrant,whatwascontemplatedbytheparties?o Consideringtheotherlandhadalreadybeensubdividedtothewestoflot33,courtholdsthattheideaoffuture
subdivisionisbuiltintotheoriginalgrantbecausethelandeastoflot33mightbesubdividedtoo.o So,intentionofpartiesdoesn’trestricteasementtoitstraditionaluse.o Lot17wasalreadyitselfsubjecttoaneasement.
Note:
- Aneasementattachedtoeverypartofthedominanttenement- Needtoaskwhichtenementbenefitstodeterminewhichisthedominanttenement
MaldenFarmsv.Nicholson-1956OntCAFacts:Originaleasementalloweda“freeuninterruptedrightofway”forprivateuseofaducksanctuary.Sometimelater,theowneroftheright-of-wayopensthegatesasapublicusearearesultinginhundredsusingtheeasement.Decision:Feeisnotburdenedasoriginallycontemplated.Theoriginalscopedidnotcontemplatepublicuseoftheeasement,itwasmeanttopreservetheducksanctuary.Originaluseoftheeasementisputbackinplace.Theuseoftheeasementisnowfundamentallydifferentthantheoriginalintention.DifferencesbetweenthiscaseandLaurie:1)Fundamentalchangeinthescopeoftheactivity,notjustmorepeople,butfundamentallydifferent.2)Inthiscase,theeasementisforaspecificpurpose,whileinLauriethegrantusedmuchbroaderlanguage3)Heretherightofwaytothesanctuarywasstrictlycontrolledandexclusiveinuse.Theownersofthebeachpropertywereputonnoticetomaintainrightstothegatessoitwasn’tcontemplatedthattherightofwaywouldbeusedforthiskindofuse
TheRuleinHarrisvFlower- AneasementovertheservientlandwhichisappurtenanttoLotAmaynotbeusedbytheownerofthedominanttenement
tobenefitanotherproperty,LotBo Thismeans:colourableuseoftheright-of-wayappurtenanttoLotAtobenefitLotBisprohibited
- BUTanancillaryuseoftheeasementtobenefitlotBistolerable
OTHERSERVITUDESANDSERVITUDE-TYPERIGHTS
Profitsaprendre:- Arighttomakesomeuseofthesoilofanother,suchasarighttominemetals,anditcarrieswithittherightofentry- Thisisanon-possessoryinterest,andcanbeaninterestinland- Theinterestconsistsoftherighttoremovenaturalresourcesfromthelandofanother- Maybeappurtenanttoadominanttenementorheldingross
o Thisdependsonthegranto E.g.oilandgascompaniesusuallyholdingrossanddon’thaveadominanttenement
- Aprofitincludesbydefaulttherighttoenterthelando ButrecalltheSurfaceRightsAct–iftheprofitinquestionismineralsoraccessisrequiredforenergy,theActsays
thatanoperatorneverhasbydefaultaccesstoenter.Needtonegotiateforsurfacerights.Ifthisfailsthenunders12oftheActneedtoappearbeforetheSurfaceRightsBoardtogetthisaccess
- Typically,amineralorworking“lease”isaprofito Notalease–aleaseisapossessoryinterest.Whatisactuallygivenisaprofitaprendre
- Statusofthingsremovedfromthelando E.g.diamonds–youownifyouhavethoserightsinitiallyo Whentheyareinsitutheyareyourpropertyo Whentheyareseveredthentheyarethecompaniesprofit–onlychangehandswhenseveredfromtheland
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Eg.Energyoperator,anotherpartyhasmineralrightsundertheland.Youpaythemfortherighttoworktheminerals.Whenthatrightismadetolastforaterm,aworkinginterestoramineralleasewillbecreated,butthetechnicaltermiscalledaprofitsaprendre.
- Unlikeeasements,theycanbeheldingross.- Theyareextinguishedbyaunityofseisin–iftheholdereither:
o Releasesitinfavouroftheownerofthelandinwhichtheprofitsubsists;oro Becomestheownerofthelandinwhichaprofitsubsists
Tenercase- BCtransferredownershipofmineralsinanareathatislaterturnedintoapark.BCenactslegislationthatbasicallybars
ownersfromminingtheminerals.- WilsonJ:compensationbecauserightinthenatureofaprofitaprendrewastakenbythegovernment.
Kaplinsky:incorrectà Pownsthemineralssoitcan’thaveaprofitaprendreinsomethingthatitalreadyownsRhubarbonKaplisnky’spropertycanbeaprofitsaprendre–canNOTbeaneasement–forhisneighbour–canbeannexedtoneighbour,ORtoneighbour’sproperty.Ifyouownmineralrights,youmustpayseparatesumtogogetoil/minerals.E.g.paysurfaceholder
DynexPetroleumvBMOSCC2002OverridingRoyaltiesarevalidpropertyinterestsdespitecommonlaw.Ratio:Anoverridingroyaltycanbeaproprietaryinterestinland.TheORRhastobecarvedoutofsomeinterestinland(possessoryorotherwise)Facts:Dynexisbankrupt.BMOisasecuredcreditorsoclaimsfirstdibsonDynex’sresources.SomeofDynex’ssuppliershadoverridingroyaltyinterestsandregisteredintheLandTitlesOffice.BMOarguesthatthisprofitaprendreisnotapropertyinterestbecauseitisderivedfromanincorporealhereditament.Enchantoffersaserviceforanoverridingroyaltyinterestinanoil+gaslease–profitsaprendre.Ifleaseisprofitable,enchantgets2%.Mineralleases=profitsaprendre.Profitsareanincorporealhereditament.Non-possessory–cannotbeaninterestintheland.Decision:Newrule–courtwillrecognizethatanoverridingroyaltyinterestisavalidpropertyinterestandsothecaveatisvalid,recognizingthisnewruleisnecessarygiventherealitiesoftheoil&gassectorinAlberta.OverridinginterestmaybecomeaninterestinlandIFthelanguageissufficientlyprecisetodemonstratethatitisaninterestinland,notacontractualinterest.Mustpiggybackoffanotherinterestinland,ietheprofit.Promisehereistogetmoneyoutofaspecificprofit.Thefollowingconditionsmustbemet:
1. Thelanguageusedindescribingtheinterestissufficientlyprecisetoshowthatthepartiesintendedtheroyaltytobeagrantofaninterestinland(propertyright),andnotmerelyacontractualright
2. Theinterestoutofwhichtheroyaltyiscarvedhastobeaninterestinland(doesn’thavetobepossessory,butitmustbeaninterestinlandandaprofitaprendreisaninterestinland)
Mineralrightsareownedbysomecompany,Dynexhasleasedtherightsfromtheseparties–oneoftheassetsupforgrabsinbankruptcy.MUSTregistertheprofit–onlyboundbyinterestsregisteredonthetitle–exceptionisaneasementofnecessity.
- Mustregistertheinterestforittobebindingforsomeoneelse.Definitions:
• Royalty:anunencumberedshareorfractionalinterestinthegrossproductionofaworkinginterest• Overridingroyalty:aroyaltygrantednormallybytheownerofaworkinginteresttoathirdpartyinexchangefor
considerationwhichcouldincludemoneyorservices(e.g.drilling)VARIOUSOTHERNOTESONSERVITUDESEncroachments:aformofeasement.Usefulforeliminatingthepossibilityofadversepossession.Musthavesomethingalongthelinesof“shallbebindingupontheCityandOwner,theirsuccessorsandassignsrespectively”otherwiseitisjustalicense.
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Note:AtcommonlawàoperatorofoilandgasinAlbertawouldgetanautomaticaccesswithaprofit,butstatutehaschangedthis.Theymustgetaseparateagreementofaccessfromthelandowner.TheRuleinHarrisvFlower:ServientlandissubjecttoeasementforaccesstolotA,butservientlandcan’tbeusedtoaccesslotBnextdoor.Acolourableuseoftheright-of-waytoLotAinordertoaccessLotBisprohibited.Differentfromfarmingbecausethedominanttenementdoesn’tchangeinWinch(justexpandstomorepeople).
COVENANTSRUNNINGWITHPROPERTYIfyouwantacovenanttorun,youwantanINJUNCTION,notdamages.Generallywillgothroughequity–onlyplacewhereburdenrunswiththeland.Problemwithrestrictivedevelopments–can’tjustgrantsomeonesomethingandsaymustnotuseitinA/B/Cways.Violatesruleagainstperpetuities.Differencebetweeneasement/covenant
- Covenantsprincipallyaffectservientlandwhileeasementsonlydotangentially- Covenantsaremoredifficulttoenforceagainstsuccessorsintitlethaneasements- Duetothecourt’sreluctancetorecognizenewnegativeeasements,covenantsarepotentiallymuchwiderinscopethan
easementsBackground:
- Whenafreeholdcovenantissuccessfullyenteredinto,itrunswiththeland- Covenantsprovidealegalmechanismforensuringthatcontractualpromisesconcerningtheuseoflandarebindingon
successorsintitleofthecontractingparty- Covenantsareimportantinlargescaleresidentialprojects–e.g.promisebuyersthatamenitiesareprotectedinthefuture,
createprivatelandusecontrols
E.g.CovenantormakesacovenanttotheCovenantee.XandYaresuccessorstotheirrespectivetitles- Ymustbeentitledtothebenefitofthecovenant.Xmustbeboundbytheburdenofthecovenant.Thesubjectmatterof
thecovenantisenforceable(e.g.underpublicpolicy)TERMINOLOGY(i)Covenant-avalidcontractualundertakingmadebyacovenantorinfavorofacovanentee
(ii)Covenantor(or)-assumestheburdenofthepromise–makesthepromise(underseal)
(iii)Covenantee(ee)-assumesthebenefitofthepromise–hasapromisemadetothem(underseal)
(iv)Burdenedland-Servienttenementisthelandburdened
(v)Benefitedland-Dominanttenementisthelandbenefited
(vi)Annexation-benefitisannexedsoitwillautomaticallyrunwiththebenefittedland
(vii)Express(contractual)assignment-benefitmaybeexpresslyassignedintheabsenceofannexation.
(viii)Assigneeofthecovenantor-actionenabledwhen(i)covenanttouchesandconcernsthedominantland
andwastakenforitsbenefit,(ii)theassignmentoccurscontemporaneouslywiththetransferofthedominant
lands,and(iii)landisascertainable,atleastbyextrinsicevidence.
(ix)Assigneeofthecovenantee(ee')-Benefitisallowedtobeassigned
- Thebenefitofacovenantcanrunatlawandinequity- Theburdenofa(restrictive)covenantcanruninequitybutneverinlaw
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COVENANTSATLAW
- Relativelyunimportantbecauseofthelaw’sgeneralapproachtocontracts–acontractualpromiseisonlyenforceableagainstthosewhomadeit,andtheremedyforbreachisdamages
o Ifthecovenantorbrokehispromisetothecovenantee,thenthecovenanteewouldbeentitledtoenforcethecontractbydamagesbecausethelawdoesn’tenforcecontractsanyotherway
- Forfreeholdcovenants,covenanteeswillwanttoenforcethecovenantwithaninjunction- AtCL,theburdenneverrunsatlaw
o Noonebutthecovenantorcanbesuedonthecovenant- Permittingotherwisecould:(KeppellvBailey)
o (1)createnewmodesofoccupyingandenjoyingland(contrarytonumerousclauses)–e.g.newformofrealpropertyinterest
o (2)overburdenlandandmakeitunmarketable§ Valueandinformationconcerns§ Encumberlandtothepointofreducingalienability§ Barsubsequentbuyersfromascertainwhatbindstheirland
Therunningofthebenefitatlaw1. Thebenefitofacovenantisanassignablechoseinaction(JudicatureAct,s20)
a. Thislegislationexplainswhyacollectionagencymayenforceadebttosomeotherparty2. Successorstothecovenanteemaysuethecovenantorfordamagesif:
a. Originalcovenanteeheldalegalestateinbenefittingtheland;b. Successorholdsthesamelegalestate;c. Thebenefitwasintendedtorunwiththeland;ANDd. Thecovenanttouchesandconcernstheland
SmithandRiverDouglas:Worknotdonecompetently.Yearslatertheriverburst,andtheplaintiff(whowasasuccessorofoneoftheoriginalowners)suedonthecontract.Denningheldthecovenantcouldrun.
COVENANTSINEQUITY
Tulkv.MoxhayNegativecovenants–rulethatagoodfaithpurchaserforvaluewillnotbeboundbyacovenantifhehadnonoticeofitFacts:PlaintiffpurchasedanareainLeicesterSquarewithacovenantthatrequiresupkeepofthesquareandtomaintainitasagarden.Purchaserknewaboutthecovenantattimeofpurchase,hehadbeengivennotice,butwantedtoviolateitanyways.Decision:Overrulestheearliercaselawandsaysthatfromnowon,wewillenforcecovenantsinequity(theburdenwillrun–plaintiffcannotdeveloptheland.)Cites:KeppellvBailey–bestknownfornumerusclausus–notypeofestatewhichissubjecttoalimitationtotransportgoodsforaparticularquarry.Possiblealternativeexplanationsforthisdecision:unjustenrichment,cleanhandsdoctrine(unconscionabletoallowpartytobuywithknowledgeoftheburdenandsimplyactagainstthatburden),ornemodat–gaveawayastickinthebundle,can’tgiveitaway.GeneralrequirementsRequirementsfortheRunningoftheBurdeninEquity
1. Covenantmustberestrictivea. Negativeinsubstance–compliancemustbepossiblebydoingNOTHING.Ie.Cannotimposepositiveduties.b. Covenantisjudgedbyitssubstance,notitsform,soacovenanttousepropertyonlyforresidentialpurposesisa
restrictivecovenant(doesn’tcompel,justmeansyoucan’tusethepropertyforanyotheruse)
2. Burdenmusthavebeenintendedtorunwiththecovenantor’slandassufficientlydescribedinthecovenant.Courtswillotherwisepresumeagainstafindingofarestrictivecovenant
3. Covenantmustbetakenforthebenefitofthelandofthecovenantee(LondonCityCouncilvAllen)a. Easilyascertainablefromthedeedcontainingthecovenant.b. Thebenefit“touchesandconcern”theland,nopersonalcovenantsallowed(Spencer’sCase)
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c. Wholeideaisthatthelandisgrantedwithsomeassurancethatlandbeingsoldwon’tbeusedinawaythatnegativelyimpactstheremaininglandinthegeneralproximity
d. GalbraithvMadawaskaClub–therighttochoosethepersonwhowilloccupytheservientlandhasnothingtodowiththeusetowhichthelandwillbeput–doesn’ttouchandconcertheland
4. PrinciplesofEquitymustbemeta. Mustcometothecourtwithcleanhandsb. Nojurisdictionoverbonafidepurchaserforvaluec. Noticeofthecovenantmusthavebeengiveninaccordancewithstatutoryrequirements
GalbraithvMadawaskaProfessorMadawaska–didn’tliketheagreement–precludedhiswifefromowning/livinginthecottage.Soldthelandtohimselfandhiswifeasjointtenantswithoutthecovenant.CovenantdidNOTtouchandconcerntheland.Righttochoosewhooperatestheservientland.NOTHINGtodowiththeuse.Relatesonlytothekindofpersonwhomaybegivenoccupation.CovenantsconcerningOWNERSHIPandnotUSEwillnottouchandconcerntheland.CovenantsinEdmonton1. CarruthersCovenant
a. Preventssomeusesanddevelopmentsofthepropertytomaintainanexclusivecharacterofaneighborhood(Glenora)2. Hudson'sBayCompanyCovenant
a. Restrictedthedevelopmentofanylotstosinglefamilyhomesb. Inthe1960sand1970sitwasrezonedtoallowfordevelopmentc. SzymanskivExcelResources:
i. BuildingownedbyExcelResourcessociety,wantedtomakeitintoagrouphome.Someoftheneighborstriedtoenjointhisuseonthebasisofthecovenant
ii. Para1:thecovenantsaysthatonlyoneprivatedwellinghouseshallbeerectedonanyofthesaidlots.Anybuildingconstructedtoaccommodatemorethanonehouseholdisnotdeemedtobeaprivatedwellinghouse1. Thislimitationappliestoform-thisisabigresidentialhouse,butwasstillbuiltasasinglefamily
household,sothecourtdeterminedthattheusebythegrouphomewasnotinviolationofthisparagraphiii. Para7:appliestouse-thecourtacknowledgesthatHBCwastryingtocreatearesidentialneighborhoodofa
certainclass,butsincethisuseisnotfortradeormanufacturingitisresidentialandconsistentwiththecovenant'spurpose
iv. ShowswhycovenantshavebeenabandonedinfavourofzoningTherunningofthebenefitinequity• EquityDOESallowthebenefitofacovenanttorunwiththecovenantee• Successormustdemonstrateanentitlementtothebenefit• Asuccessoroforiginalcovenanteemaybeentitledtothebenefitby:
o (1)Annexationofthebenefittocovenantee'sland;o (2)Assignmentofthebenefitfromthecovenanteetothesuccessor;oro (3)Abuildingscheme(restrictionsandbenefitsbeingpartofabuildingscheme)
1. Annexation
a. Intention:Theaffixingofthebenefittothedominantlandwiththeintentionthatitbepassedautomaticallyonthesaleofthedominantpropertyi. Intentionisusuallystatedbylanguagesuchas"thebenefitisannexedtothesedominantlands"
b. Benefittinglandmustbeascertainablefromdeedi. Otherwiseisapersonalrightofthecovenanteeanddoesn'tbindii. NOannexationbyimplication(SekretovvToronto)
c. Touchandconcern:benefitcanonlybeaffixedtothedominanttenementifittouchesandconcernsthosebenefittinglands
Note:Assignmentvsannexation• Thebenefitofanassignmentisachoseinaction(capableofbeingassignedinAlberta,s.20JudicatureAct),butassignment
isn'tveryusefulb/ctheburdenmustbeannexedtothelandofthecovenanteefortheburdentorun
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• Soifthereisnoannexationbutthereisanassignment,thebenefitwillpassbutthecovenantisonlyenforceableagainsttheoriginalcovenantor
• Willonlybindsuccessorifthebenefitisannexed-inwhichcasewedon'tneedanassignment• Bottomline:assignmentwillonlyallowyoutosuetheoriginalcovenantor,notanassigneeofthecovenantor
2. BuildingSchemes(planofsubdivision)
a. CommonVendor:personwhodevelopsandsellsthelotstodifferentpurchasers.Theydon'tneedagreementsbetweenthemselves.Alloftherestrictionsputinplacepriortoanysale
b. Parcelslaidoutsubjectstorestrictionsthatcanonlybeconsistentwithageneralscheme:i. E.g.preservingcommonneighborhoodamenities,nooneshalluselandsinaparticularwayordevelopoutside
certainguidelinesc. Restrictionsintendedforthebenefitofallparcelswithinthescheme:everylotownerisentitledtoenforcementof
thecovenantagainstanyotherbuyerorpropertyownerd. Parcelsacquiredontheunderstandingthatrestrictionswouldinuretothebenefitofallparcels
SeeBerryvIndianParkAssociationEnforcementandTermination• LandTitlesAct,s48(1):youcanregisteragainstanyservientlandsandforthebenefitofdominantlands,anyconditionor
covenantthatisinfactcapableofrunningwiththelando Saysyoucanregisterthecovenantandtherewillbeconstructivenotice,butwhetherornotitisactuallycapableof
landisresolvedbysubstantivelando (4):thefirstownerandeverytransfereetotheoriginalcovenantorisdeemedtobeeffectedwithnoticesimply
becausethecovenantisregistered• B/citdealswithenforcement,willalsoallowthesuccessorofthecovenantorawayout-topersuadethecourt
thatthecovenantshouldbemodifiedordischarged• 2reasonswhythecourtmightdoso:thatthemodificationwillbebeneficialtoallthepersonsprincipally
interestedintheenforcementofthecovenant(changeisforallthecovenanteesbenefit)ORthecovenantnowconflictswiththelocalstatutoryplan/zoningbylaw,andthemodificationisinthepublicinterest
• AmarDevelopment(2016)-modificationordischargeofacovenanto If,forexample,oneneighborbreaksthecovenant,theotherneighborscantakethemtocourt.Theywouldhavetwo
defences:
(1)Avalidcovenantmightbecomespent,obsoleteorunworkable• Significantchangeinneighborhoodcharacter,orwidespreadacquiescenceinviolationsmightsignalthatthe
purposesofabuildingschemearedefeated• Whendoesaconflictbetweenacovenantandmunicipalbylawarise?
§ Aconflictbetweenacovenantandamunicipalbylawarisesonlyifcompliancewiththecovenantwouldmeanviolatingthebylaw
(2)Enforcementofthecovenantwouldleadtosuchharmthatitwouldbeinequitableforaninjunctiontobeissued• Itistruethatthevalueofacovenantliesinenforcement,notindamages• Becausethevalueofcovenantliesinobservance,aninjunctionandnotdamagesisthedefaultremedy• Aninjunctionisadiscretionaryremedyandwillnotbegrantedwhereinequitable• Sometimescourtsweighintheburdenofaninjunctionagainstthebenefittotheapplicant
§ E.g.iftheconstructionofahouseissubstantiallycompleteandthefinancialharmtotheviolatorwouldbeveryhigh
BURDENOFPOSITIVECOVENANTS• Apositivecovenantisonethatcompelsthecovenantortospendmoneyorperformanactiveobligation• Thetraditionalpositionisthattheburdenofpositivecovenantsdoesnotruninequity• KeppellvBailey:argumentsagainstanyburdensrunning
o ThiscasewasdisregardedinTulk,whichallowedtheburdenofrestrictivecovenantstoruninequityo AfterTulk,wehaveanothercase(Austerberry):
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• RuleagainstpositivecovenantsissometimesreferredtoastheAusterberryRule• Severallandownerswhodecidetobuildaprivatetollroadrunningthroughtheirlands.Later,themunicipality
expropriatestheroad.Mechanismsbywhichownerswhosepropertyabutstheroadaremadeliabletopayforthecostofrepairs.Thisownersaysthetrusteescovenantedinitiallytomaintaintheroad,sincethemunicipalityisasuccessorsincetheyexpropriated,theyhavetopayforitthemselves
• Courtsaysno-positivecovenantswillnotrun• Wherethereisarestrictivecovenant,theburdenandbenefitofwhichdonotrunatlaw,courtsofequity
restrainanyonewhotakesthepropertywithnoticeofthatcovenantfromusingitinawaythatisinconsistentwiththecovenant,butwillnotenforceacovenantinsuchawayastorequirethesuccessorsintitleofthecovenantor,toundertakeaburdenuponthemselvesinaccordancewithwhattheoriginalcovenantorboundhimselftodo
AttemptstoRelaxtheAusterberryRule• ThelawinCanadaissummarizedinCDD123vAmberwood(2002)• Thebenefitandburdenprinciple:
o (1)Mutualbenefitandburden(HalsallvBrizell)o (2)Pureprincipleofbenefitandburden(TitovWaddell)o (3)PPBBrejected(RhonevStephens)o (4)TheCanadianapproach?(DCC123vAmberwood)
HalsallvBrizell• Facts:Developerofthesubdivisiongrantedlotsinthegatedcommunity,maintainingaseawall,publicpromenade,andsome
others.Theseareprivate.Everylotinthesubdivisionisgrantedeasementstousethecommonamenitiesandtheyagreetopayaproportionateshareofthecostoftheamenities.100yearslateroneofthelotownerssplitsthelotintothre
• Issue:Doeachnewownerpayapriceofthefees?• Reason:
o Theburdenofthepositivecovenantwasunenforceableagainstasuccessorintitle,butthesuccessorwouldnotbeentitledtothebenefitofthedeedwithoutassumingtheburden(ruleinHarsall,orthebenefitandburdenrule)
TitovWaddell• Facts:Companywasgrantedphosphateminingrightsonanisland.Inthesameinstrumentthecompanycovenantedto
replantworkedlandsandreturnthemtoislanders.Company'srightsassignedtotheBritishPhosphatesCommissioners.Commissionerssaytheyaren'tboundbecauseit’sapositiveobligation
• Reasons:o Distinguished"conditionalbenefits"(hereisabenefitgrantedtoyouonconditionthatyouassumetheburden,link
betweenbenefitandburden)from"independentobligation"(agreementbetweenAandB,eachagreetodocertainthings,independently-burdenmustbeassumedonlyunderaprincipleofpurebenefitandburden).Thelattermaybetetheredonlyundertheprincipleofpurebenefitandburden
o Asamatterofconstruction,itwasheldthattheminingrightswerenotgrantedconditionalonreplanting;nevertheless,underthepurebenefitandburden(PPBB)theCommissionerswereboundbytheburdenhavingreceivedthebenefit
o EstablishesapureprincipleofbenefitandburdenRhonevStephens• Facts:TheroofwhichcoversWalfordHousealsocoverspartoftheWalfordCottage.Theownersofbothpropertiessoldthe
Cottage.Thetermsstatethatalleasementsareconveyedandtheadjoiningproperty(house)shallcontinue(meansthatifthereisarightofsupportandarighttoenjoyprotectionoftheroof,thatrightwillbeenjoyedbythebuyeroftheCottageandtheirsuccessorsintitle).Vendorcovenantsforhimselftomaintaintothereasonablesatisfactionsuchpartoftheroofasliesabovetheproperty(lateralrightofsupportforbothproperties,ownerofthehouseagreestomaintaintheroof)o 26yearslatertheroofleaksanddamagesthehouse.Ownerofthecottagesuestheownerofthehousefornot
maintaining.Ownerofthehousesaysthey'reasuccessor,positiveobligationsodon'toweanything• Reasons:
o Judgerejectstheprincipleofpurebenefitandburdeno Restrictivecovenantsdepriveofarighto Equitycouldn'tcomplyanownertocomplywitharule-personcannotbemadeliableonacontractunlesshewas
partytoito Enforcementofpositivecovenantliesincontract-apositivecovenantmakesanownertoexercisehisrights
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o Restrictivecovenantliesinproperty-deprivesofarightinproperty• PrincipleinTitoisrejected• CreatestheEnglishposition-allowsaconditionalbenefitonaburdentorun• TheEnglishPosition
o Thebenefitmustbeconditionalontheburdeno Theburdenmustrelatetothebenefito Asuccessormustbeinapositiontorejectthebenefito Thebenefitisexercisableasofrightundertheagreement
PositiveCovenantsFromAmberwood:• Ifthefactsestablishthatthegrantingofabenefitoreasementwasconditionalonassumingthepositiveobligation,thenthe
obligationisbinding• Wheretheobligationisframedsoastoconstituteacontinuingobligationuponwhichthegrantoftheeasementwas
conditional,theobligationcanbeimposedasanincidentoftheeasementitself,andnotmerelyaliabilitypurportingtorunwiththeland
• Ownerofcondolands#1grantedownerofcondolands#2-havetopayfees• Iftheirsuccessorsfailtopay,theeasementmayautomaticallybeterminated
FromHalsburry'sLawsofEngland:• Ifthefactsestablishthatthegrantingofabenefitoreasementwasconditional,thentheobligationisbinding• Theobligationmaybeframedorconstruedsoastoconstituteacontinuingconditionandtorendertheeasementitself
conditionalonthedominantownerforthetimecomplyingwithanobligationtorepairortocontributetorepair,andsobedeterminableordefeasibleonnon-compliance
• Thissoundslikeadeterminablelimitation,orconditionsubsequento Notacovenant,butratherthebenefitgrantedismadesubjecttodeterminingevent
• Ifyouboughtlandknowingofanobligation,thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldn'tbeboundbyit
Optionsforpositivecovenantstorun:1. Leases
a. Covenanttopayrentisapositiveobligation.Ifatenantassignstheirinteresttothesuccessor,theyareboundtopayrent
2. Statutesa. Legislationthatauthorizestheenforcementofpositiveobligations,e.g.condolegislation,paycondofees
3. Chainofcovenantsa. Covenanteepromisespersonallytopay/maintain/repairandalsopromisestoexactasimilarobligationfroma
successorintitleb. Ifthecovenantisbreached,theywillsuetheoriginalcovenantorwhohasnochoicebuttosueitssuccessorintitle
4. HalsallvBrizellafterAmberwooda. Notcompletelysettled
5. Trueconditionalbenefita. Estatesubjecttodeterminablelimitationorconditionsubsequentb. Amberwood-
6. Rentchargesa. Rentpaymentwhicharisesoutoffreeholdland,annexedtothelandb. Ifyouliveintheneighborhoodneedtopaythesefees,eventhoughitsfreeholdlandnotcondoland