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Sanborn v. McLean Case Brief
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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis
tl;dr: A property owner whose deed lacks a restrictive covenant was nonetheless barred from building a gas station because the uniform residential character of the neighborhood provided constructive notice of a general development plan, creating an implied “reciprocal negative easement.”
Legal Significance: This case establishes the doctrine of reciprocal negative easements, where restrictions from a common development plan can bind a parcel of land even if not in its direct chain of title, through the principle of inquiry notice.
Sanborn v. McLean Law School Study Guide
Use this case brief structure for your own legal analysis. Focus on the IRAC methodology to excel in law school exams and cold calls.
Case Facts & Court Holding
Key Facts & Case Background
Defendants John and Christina McLean purchased Lot 86 in the Green Lawn subdivision. Their deed contained no restrictions on the use of the property. The original developers of the subdivision, the McLaughlins, had platted 91 lots on Collingwood Avenue with the intent of creating a high-grade residential district. Before selling Lot 86, the McLaughlins sold numerous other lots with deeds containing express restrictions limiting their use to residential purposes only. Over time, all lots on the street were developed with residences, creating a uniform appearance. When the McLeans began constructing a gasoline filling station on the rear of their lot, neighboring property owners, whose titles also traced back to the McLaughlins, sued for an injunction. The McLeans argued they were not bound by any restrictions because none appeared in their chain of title and they had no actual notice. At the time of their purchase, the residential character of the neighborhood was well-established and clearly visible.
Court Holding & Legal Precedent
Issue: Is a property owner bound by a restrictive covenant that does not appear in their deed if the uniform character of the surrounding properties provides constructive notice of a general development plan?
Yes. The defendants are bound by a reciprocal negative easement restricting their Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident
IRAC Legal Analysis
Complete IRAC Analysis for Higher Grades
IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.
Legal Issue
Is a property owner bound by a restrictive covenant that does not appear in their deed if the uniform character of the surrounding properties provides constructive notice of a general development plan?
Conclusion
This case is a landmark decision in property law for creating and Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerc
Legal Rule
A reciprocal negative easement arises when a common owner of related lots Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est lab
Legal Analysis
The court established the doctrine of the reciprocal negative easement, which originates Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lo
Flash-to-Full Case Opinions
Flash Summary
- A reciprocal negative easement arises when a common owner sells lots