Adverse Possession In Australia

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Within the common law of Australia, adverse possession is described as when a person who occupies a parcel of land owned by another for a period of time, adversely to the interest of the registered proprietor, that person is entitled to make an application that the land is transferred to them.
Under common law, the basic elements for which adverse possession is established are;
- Actual Possession: The registered owner of the land has a cause of action for trespass, and the inhabitant must act as though they are in control and full ownership of the property and land.
- Continuous and uninterrupted: The current occupant must have continuous possession and use of the land. Occasional possession with periods of inactivity fails to be considered …show more content…

The Statute of Limitations states the time period which is required for each jurisdiction in order for adverse possession to be claimed. In Western Australia, the time period is 12 years, unless the owner is under a specific form of disability, where the period is 30 years. It is irrelevant whether the true owner realises that he or she has been dispossessed. Also in Western Australia, adverse possession cannot be claimed against the crown.
In JA Pye (Oxford) Ltd v Graham , the defendant initially took possession of valuable farming and grazing land pursuant to a license which later expired. After the expiration of the license, Graham was asked to vacate the premises, which he did not. Graham remained on the land and continued to run cattle and cut hay which he was originally permitted to do under the license, however, he also conducted other activities which were not specifically permitted under the license. It was found that legal possession comprises the elements of factual possession and the animus possidendi, and that proof of acts of the user inconsistent with the purpose to which the true owner intends to put the land is unnecessary. The House of Lords found that the Grahams were the lawful owners of the land by adverse possession as Pye failed to take possession of his …show more content…

This case discussed the presumptions of adverse possession, and that it must be an actual possession, of the land or property, which is inconsistent with the rights of the true owner. It was also discussed certain circumstances which will determine the character and weight of the acts of occupation and user on which the claim is based. Vital considerations to determine the outcome of the case are; the location, the size and the use which an owner might make reasonably be expected. However as suggested in JA Pye, the only way in which the intention of the true owner to use the land for a particular purpose at a future date may become relevant is if the alleged possessor knows of such an

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