Legal Definitions - dominion

Dominion refers to the legal right to control, possess, or exercise supreme authority over something or someone. It can apply to physical objects, property, or even a territory and its people.

• Control over Personal Property

  Imagine someone purchases a brand new, custom-built computer. From the moment the sale is complete, they acquire full dominion over that computer. This means they have the exclusive legal right to use it, install software, modify its components, lend it to a friend, or sell it to another person. They can also prevent anyone else from using or interfering with their computer without permission.

  This example illustrates dominion as the direct and exclusive control and possession of a tangible item, granting the owner the power to manage its use and disposition.

• Control over Real Estate

  Consider a farmer who owns a large tract of agricultural land. The farmer exercises dominion over this land. They have the legal authority to decide what crops to plant, where to build barns, or whether to lease a portion of the land to another farmer. They also have the right to exclude trespassers and to defend their property rights against any unauthorized use or encroachment.

  Here, dominion signifies the legal control and ownership of real property, including the rights to use, manage, and protect the land.

• Sovereign Authority over a Territory

  Think about the government of an independent country. That government holds dominion over its national territory and its citizens. This means it possesses the supreme power to create and enforce laws, manage public services, collect taxes, and defend its borders from external threats, all without being subject to the authority of any other government or entity.

  This example demonstrates dominion in the sense of supreme governmental authority or sovereignty, where a governing body has ultimate control over a defined geographical area and its population.