Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: Feoffment with Livery of Seisin
Definition: Feoffment with livery of seisin is a historical legal term that refers to the act of transferring ownership of land from one person to another. It was a formal ceremony where the parties involved would enter the land, and the person transferring the ownership (feoffor) would give possession of the land to the new owner (feoffee) through a symbolic act or words. Feoffment was the only way to transfer ownership of land in the past, and the land transferred was called the feoffment.
Definition: Feoffment with livery of seisin is the act of conveying a freehold estate, which is a grant of land in fee simple. It is also known as a deed of feoffment. The feoffment involves the transfer of land, the land itself, and the charter that transfers the land.
Example: In the past, conveyances of freehold land could only be made by a feoffment with livery of seisin. This was a solemn ceremony where the parties entered the land, and the feoffor delivered the seisin to the feoffee either by handing them a twig or sod of earth or by uttering some words such as "Enter into this land and God give you joy" and leaving them in possession of the land.
Explanation: Feoffment with livery of seisin was a formal and symbolic act of transferring land ownership. The feoffor would physically hand over a piece of the land to the feoffee, which was a symbolic act of transferring ownership. This act was witnessed by others, and the feoffee was left in possession of the land. This process was used in the past to transfer ownership of freehold land.