alienation

property law

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June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

In property law, "alienation" refers to the legal transfer of ownership or possession of property from one person to another. This concept is a cornerstone of market economies, alongside freedom of contract, allowing owners to transfer their property as they see fit.12

There are two primary meanings of alienation:

Transfer of Property: This is the core legal definition, encompassing sales, gifts, and other forms of conveyance where ownership rights are passed from one party to another. The specifics of when title transfers can vary by legal system, often occurring upon agreement or delivery of the property.34516
Estrangement: In a broader sense, alienation can also mean a withdrawal of affection or a change from friendly to unfriendly relations, such as a supporter becoming alienated from a political figure.345

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property law
Subsequent acquisition
…of contract and freedom of alienation of property (i.e., the rights to enter freely into enforceable contracts on terms agreed to by the parties and to transfer property to whomever the owner wishes, on terms of his choosing) are the twin foundations of a market economy, and, despite the challenges…
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…of contract and freedom of alienation of property (i.e., the rights to enter freely into enforceable contracts on terms agreed to by the parties and to transfer property to whomever the owner wishes, on terms of his choosing) are the twin foundations of a market economy, and, despite the challenges…
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vassal
…also acquired the right to alienate their fiefs, with the proviso, first, of the lord’s consent and, later, on payment of a certain tax. Similarly, they obtained the right to subinfeudate—that is, to become lords themselves by granting parts of their fiefs to vassals of their own. If a vassal…
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…also acquired the right to alienate their fiefs, with the proviso, first, of the lord’s consent and, later, on payment of a certain tax. Similarly, they obtained the right to subinfeudate—that is, to become lords themselves by granting parts of their fiefs to vassals of their own. If a vassal…
Read More