Property Law and Procedure

  The Islamic Action for Recovery of Land

 

John Makdisi

St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami

           

I.          Property Right Established by Possession

A.        Prior Possession Prevails over Usurper

B.         Possessor with Color of Title Prevails over Prior Possessor

1.          Manucaption (Actual)

2.          Enjoyment as an Owner under Claim of Ownership (Hostile)

3.          Absence of Contestant (Exclusive)

4.          Possessor & People Attribute Property to Possessor (Open and Notorious)

5.          Duration for 10 Months (Continuous)

C.        Prior Possessor with Color of Title Prevails over Possessor with Color ........................ of Title

D.        Possessor by Adverse Possession Prevails over Prior Possessor with ......................... Color of Title

1.         Five Requirements for Possessor with Color of Title but for ............ 10 Years

2.         Characteristics of Plaintiff

a.         Presence

b.         Knowledge

c.         Pubescence

d.         Capacity

e.         Absence of Impediment

f.          Silence Kept during Whole Duration of Possession

 

II.          Possession Established by Proof of Facts Through Witnesses

A.         Prescription

1.          Usurpation

2.          Detention at Will

3.          Origin of Possession Unknown

B.          Transfer

1.          Inter Vivos

2.          Devise

3.          Intestate Succession

 

III.        Proof Established by Burdens Imposed on Parties by Judge

A.         Pleading

1.          Who is Plaintiff and Defendant

2.          Delays

3.          Default and Nonsuit

B.          Methods of Proof

1.          Acknowledgment

2.          Oath

3.          Testimonial Proof

a.         People

(1)        Two Honorable Witnesses

(2)        Twelve Good Witnesses

b.         Testimony

(1)        Direct

(2)        Common Report

(3)        Hearsay

c.         Writing

C.         Plaintiff's Proof

D.         Defendant's Rebuttal

E.          Defendant's Proof

F.          Plaintiff's Rebuttal

G.         Solution to Conflict of Proofs

1.          Preference

a.         Date of Possession

b.         Honorability of the Witnesses

c.         Witness over Oath

d.         Origin of the Property

e.         Ownership over Possession

2.          No Preference