Legal Definitions - opus novum

Opus novum is a Latin term used in civil law to refer to a structure that has been newly constructed on a piece of land. It specifically denotes a building or other significant construction project that is recently completed or in the process of being built.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Imagine a real estate developer who acquires a large, undeveloped parcel of land. The developer then begins the process of building a new residential subdivision, constructing several single-family homes on individual plots within that parcel. Each of these newly erected houses, from its foundation to its completed structure, would be considered an opus novum.

  This illustrates opus novum because it refers to entirely new buildings being created on land where no such structures existed before.

• Consider a growing technology company that decides to expand its operations by commissioning the construction of a brand-new corporate headquarters. This new office tower is built on a previously vacant lot in a bustling urban center. The entire construction project, from the initial groundbreaking to the final completion of the multi-story building, represents an opus novum.

  This example demonstrates opus novum as it involves the creation of a substantial new commercial structure on a specific piece of land.

• Suppose a local municipality undertakes a project to enhance public services by building a new community recreation center. This center, which includes indoor sports courts, a swimming pool, and meeting rooms, is constructed on land that was formerly a disused public park. The entire new facility, once built, would be classified as an opus novum.

  Here, the term applies to a new public building and its associated structures that are freshly built on a designated plot of land.