Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: pacta sunt servanda
Seised to uses: This means that someone owns something, like a piece of land, but they are holding it for someone else to use or benefit from. For example, a person might own a piece of land but let their relative use it because they are family. This is called standing seised to uses. It is a type of legal agreement that depends on a law called the Statute of Uses.
Definition: Seised to uses refers to the holding of title for the benefit or use of another person, such as a relative in consideration of blood or marriage. It is a type of conveyance that depends on the Statute of Uses for its effect.
Example: John owns a piece of land and wants to transfer the ownership to his son, but he wants to ensure that his daughter-in-law can also use the land. John can use a covenant to stand seised to uses to transfer the ownership to his son while ensuring that his daughter-in-law can also use the land.
Explanation: In this example, John is holding the title of the land for the benefit of his son and daughter-in-law. This means that although John is the legal owner of the land, he is holding it for the use of his son and daughter-in-law. This type of conveyance is possible because of the Statute of Uses, which allows for the transfer of ownership to another person while still retaining some control over the property.