Legal Definitions - manu brevi

manu brevi

This Latin legal term translates to "by a short hand" or "without formality." It refers to situations where possession of something, often property, is acquired directly or immediately, without the need for a formal physical transfer or a lengthy legal process that would typically precede such a change.

• Example 1: Property Sale to an Existing Tenant

  Imagine a person who has been renting a house for several years decides to purchase it from their landlord. After the sale is finalized, the tenant becomes the owner.

  How it illustrates the term: In this scenario, the new owner does not physically "take possession" of the house in the traditional sense, such as moving in, because they already occupy it. The legal change of ownership and possession occurs "manu brevi" – directly and without the need for a physical handover, as the individual already had physical control of the property.

• Example 2: Government Emergency Seizure

  During a severe public health crisis, a local government might issue an order to immediately take temporary control of a private convention center to use it as an emergency medical facility. This action is taken due to urgent public safety concerns, bypassing the usual lengthy procedures for acquiring private property.

  How it illustrates the term: The government takes possession of the convention center "manu brevi" because it assumes direct and immediate control without going through the standard, more formal legal processes that would typically be required for such a seizure, due to the emergency nature of the situation.

• Example 3: Business Merger and Asset Transfer

  When Company A acquires Company B, the acquisition agreement might stipulate that Company A immediately assumes operational control and physical possession of Company B's factories and equipment on the closing date of the deal. There is no separate, drawn-out process for physically handing over each individual asset.

  How it illustrates the term: Company A takes possession of Company B's assets "manu brevi." The transfer of control and physical occupation is direct and immediate, integrated into the acquisition process itself, rather than requiring a distinct, protracted procedure for the physical transfer of every item.