Legal title意思

"Legal title" is a term used in the context of property law, particularly in common law jurisdictions such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It refers to the legal right or ownership of property that is recognized by law. This title gives the holder the right to possess, use, and dispose of the property in accordance with the law.

When someone buys property, they acquire legal title to it, which means they have the right to claim ownership and to defend that ownership in court if necessary. Legal title is typically documented through a deed or other legal instrument that is recorded in the public land records. This recording serves as notice to the world of the person's ownership.

In contrast, "equitable title" is a lesser interest in property that typically refers to the right to acquire full ownership at some point in the future. For example, if someone is purchasing a property through a contract that provides for installment payments, they may have equitable title to the property even before they have made the final payment and received the full legal title.

In many cases, legal title and equitable title coincide, meaning that the same person holds both the full legal ownership and the right to acquire full ownership. However, in some situations, such as those involving contracts or trusts, they may be held by different parties.