Legal Definitions - corporeal possession

Corporeal possession refers to the actual, physical control or occupancy of a tangible item or property. It means having a direct, physical relationship with something that can be touched and felt, demonstrating an intent to control it.

Here are some examples to illustrate corporeal possession:

• Imagine a person holding a smartphone in their hand. They are actively using it, perhaps scrolling through an app or making a call. This is an example of corporeal possession because the person has direct, physical control over a tangible object (the smartphone). Their physical grip and immediate use demonstrate their present occupancy and control over the device.

• Consider a homeowner living in their house. They have the keys, they furnish the rooms, they maintain the garden, and they sleep there every night. This represents corporeal possession of the real estate. The homeowner's physical presence, their use of the property, and their ability to exclude others from it all demonstrate their direct, physical control and occupancy of the tangible land and structure.

• A construction worker operating a bulldozer on a job site is another instance of corporeal possession. The worker is physically inside the machine, manipulating its controls to move earth. This shows direct, physical control over a tangible piece of equipment. The worker's immediate interaction and operation of the bulldozer illustrate their present physical occupancy and command over the machinery.