Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A Latin expression historically employed to effect a feoffment or gift of property. The phrase functioned as the operative words of conveyance in early common-law transfers of land.
Sources & Authorities· 40 primary sources
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Cases
Statutes
How it applies
Common Examples
6
Feoffment by Spoken Words
Derek Douglas stood on the boundary of Blackacre and uttered the words of gift to his nephew. The utterance completed the feoffment and passed title without a written deed.
Gift of Remainder Interest
Dylan Duffy declared the Latin phrase while handing a twig from the land to his daughter. Title to the future interest passed immediately upon the declaration and delivery.
Livery of Seisin Completed
Devon Drake used the traditional words during the ceremony on the parcel. The donee took possession and the conveyance became effective at that moment.
Danielle Dixon recited the phrase while pointing to the strip of meadow. The neighbor accepted and the strip passed by feoffment rather than by later deed.
Charitable Land Gift
Diane Dawson spoke the words while delivering a clod of earth to the church warden. The conveyance vested the fee in the charity at the close of the ceremony.
Transfer to Independent Contractor
Dwight Dorsey employed the ancient formula when conveying the woodlot to the builder. The builder received title even though he would perform work on the parcel as an independent contractor.
Common questions
Frequently Asked
1
What does the Latin term do signify in historical property transfers?+
The term signifies the words of gift used to complete a feoffment. It was regarded as the most apt expression for passing title by livery of seisin.
5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803)Property
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