usucapio

Roman law

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

In Roman law, usucapio (also known as usucaption) was a method of acquiring ownership of property through continuous possession for a set period. For land, this period was typically two years, while for movable property, it was one year.12

To successfully claim ownership through usucapio, the possession must have begun in good faith, and the property could not have been stolen or acquired through violence. This legal concept allowed for the transfer of title based on uninterrupted possession over time, provided certain conditions were met.21

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Roman law
The law of property and possession
Usucapio referred to ownership acquired by length of possession. In early Roman law, two years of continuous possession established title in the case of land, one year in the case of movables. In the developed law, possession must have begun justifiably in good faith, and…
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Usucapio referred to ownership acquired by length of possession. In early Roman law, two years of continuous possession established title in the case of land, one year in the case of movables. In the developed law, possession must have begun justifiably in good faith, and…
Read More