Legal Definitions - pur

Pur is a legal term derived from Law French, meaning "by" or "for." It is primarily encountered in specific legal phrases, particularly in property law, to indicate the duration or basis of an interest or right, often tied to the life of another person.

Here are some examples to illustrate its use:

• Example 1 (Property Law - Life Estate): Imagine a will grants a person, Mr. Davies, the right to live in a specific cottage "pur autre vie" (pronounced "poor oh-truh vee"). This means Mr. Davies's right to occupy the cottage is tied to the lifespan of another designated individual, perhaps his sister, Ms. Evans. If Ms. Evans passes away, Mr. Davies's right to live in the cottage also terminates, even if Mr. Davies himself is still alive.

  Explanation: In this scenario, "pur" signifies "for" or "by reason of" the life of another person (Ms. Evans). Mr. Davies's interest in the property is entirely dependent on Ms. Evans's lifespan, not his own.

• Example 2 (Trusts and Beneficiary Interests): A trust document might specify that the income generated from a particular investment portfolio is to be distributed to a beneficiary "pur sa vie" (pronounced "poor sah vee"). This phrase means "for his or her life." Consequently, the beneficiary will receive these income payments for as long as they are alive, and the payments will cease upon their death.

  Explanation: Here, "pur" indicates "for" the beneficiary's own life, defining the precise period during which they are entitled to receive the benefits from the trust.

• Example 3 (Easements and Rights): A property deed might grant an easement to a neighboring landowner "pur le passage" (pronounced "poor luh pah-sahj"). This phrase translates to "for the passage" or "for the right of way." This clarifies that the neighbor has the right to cross the property specifically for the purpose of passage, such as accessing a public road, and not for any other use like parking vehicles or building structures.

  Explanation: In this context, "pur" specifies the particular purpose or reason "for" which the right is granted, thereby limiting the scope and nature of the easement.