Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A messuage is a house with its surrounding land and any other buildings on the property. This land is called the curtilage and is usually enclosed. The curtilage is protected from searches without a warrant under the Fourth Amendment. Another term for curtilage is curtillium. This is different from open fields, which are not protected from warrantless searches.
Definition: A messuage is a dwelling house that includes any outbuildings and the land or yard adjoining the house, usually within an enclosure. It is similar to the term curtilage, which refers specifically to the land or yard adjoining a house.
Example: If someone owns a house with a backyard and a shed, the entire property, including the house, backyard, and shed, would be considered a messuage.
Explanation: The term messuage is used in legal contexts, particularly in property law. It is important to understand the definition of messuage when dealing with property ownership and boundaries. The example illustrates how a messuage can include not only the house but also any outbuildings and the land surrounding it.