Eminent Domain

Eminent Domain in United States

Eminent Domain Definition

The power to take private property for public use, whether exercised by the sovereign directly, or by one to whom the sovereign power has been delegated for qiMsi public purposes. The superior right of property subsisting in a sovereignty, by which private property may in certain cases be taken or its use controlled for the public benefit, without regard to the wishes of the owner. The highest and most exact idea of property remaining in the government, or in the aggregate body of the people in their sovereign capacity, giving a right to resume the possession of the property in the manner directed by the constitution and the laws of the state whenever the public good requires it. 3 Paige, Ch. (N. Y.) 73. The term was originated by Grotius (De Jure Belli, lib. 3, c. 20, VII).

Eminent Domain in Foreign Legal Encyclopedias

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Legal Issue for Attorneys

The power to take private property for public use, whether exercised by the sovereign directly, or by one to whom the sovereign power has been delegated for qiMsi public purposes. The superior right of property subsisting in a sovereignty, by which private property may in certain cases be taken or its use controlled for the public benefit, without regard to the wishes of the owner. The highest and most exact idea of property remaining in the government, or in the aggregate body of the people in their sovereign capacity, giving a right to resume the possession of the property in the manner directed by the constitution and the laws of the state whenever the public good requires it. 3 Paige, Ch. (N. Y.) 73. The term was originated by Grotius (De Jure Belli, lib. 3, c. 20, VII).

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Notice

This definition of Eminent Domain Is based on the The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary . This definition needs to be proofread..

Practical Information

Note: Some of this information was last updated in 1982

The power of federal, state, and local governments to appropriate property for public use or the public welfare. When such property is taken, the owner is reimbursed according to a fair appraisal and has the right to sue for a greater amount. public utility corporations are also given the power of eminent domain.

(Revised by Ann De Vries)

What is Eminent Domain?

For a meaning of it, read Eminent Domain in the Legal Dictionary here. Browse and search more U.S. and international free legal definitions and legal terms related to Eminent Domain.

Eminent Domain

United States Constitution

According to the Encyclopedia of the American Constitution, about its article titled EMINENT DOMAINIn his argument as counsel in west river bridge company v. dix (1848) , the first case in which the Supreme Court ruled directly on the constitutionality of the states’ power of eminent domain, daniel webster thundered against the whole concept of state discretion in “takings.” Only in
(read more about Constitutional law entries here).

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Eminent Domain

United States Constitution

According to the Encyclopedia of the American Constitution, about its article titled EMINENT DOMAIN One of the most challenging and enduring puzzles in American constitutional law is how one distinguishes a compensable taking of property from a legitimate and noncompensable exercise of the police power. To suggest the Supreme Court’s approach to the question, Harry N.
(read more about Constitutional law entries here).

Some Constitutional Law Popular Entries

Power of Eminent Domain and Corporate Law

This section provides basic coverage of Power of Eminent Domain in relation to U.S. state and federal corporate law. For comprehensive coverage, please visit the main entry.

Meaning of Eminent Domain

In plain or simple terms, Eminent Domain means: The power to take private property for public use by the state and municipalities.

Basic Meaning of Eminent Domain

Eminent Domain means: the inherent power of a government to take private property for public use. In the U.S. just compensation to the property owners is required.

Eminent Domain and the Takings Clause Explained

References

See Also

  • Property

Eminent Domain Background

Eminent Domain: Proof of Lack of Reasonable Necessity for Taking of Property

This section discusses generally the subject of Eminent Domain: Proof of Lack of Reasonable Necessity for Taking of Property, how to determine the facts essential to Eminent Domain: Proof of Lack of Reasonable Necessity for Taking of Property, and, to some extent, how to prove it in litigation and defense. Related topics are also addressed.

Georgia Eminent Domain Database

This is a database related to interests in and transfers of real estate, in the following material: State Treatises, Forms, and Practice Guides. A description of this real estate database is provided below:

Full text of Georgia Eminent Domain, which presents the basic procedural framework of the condemnation case, along with the substantive legal issues commonly encountered by both condemnor and condemnee. The treatise includes a discussion of condemnation procedures and methods, including the assessor, special master, and declaration of taking methods; the persons or interests entitled to compensation; how to determine compensation; the rules concerning admissible evidence regarding compensation; and other remedies of property owners.

Note: This real estate database is only relate to the jurisdiction of GEORGIA. It lacks relevance and is not useful for other U.S. States.

Resources

See Also

  • Corporate Law

Meaning of Eminent Domain

In plain or simple terms, Eminent Domain means: The power to take private property for public use by the state and municipalities.

Basic Meaning of Eminent Domain

Eminent Domain means: the inherent power of a government to take private property for public use. In the U.S. just compensation to the property owners is required.

Eminent Domain and the Takings Clause Explained

References

See Also

  • Property

Eminent Domain Background

Resources

See Also

  • Legal Topics.
  • Confiscation of Property ; Police Power ; Property

    public ownership.

    Further Reading (Books)

    Coyle, Dennis J. Property Rights and the Constitution: Shaping Society through Land Use Regulation. Albany: State University of New York, 1993.

    Fischel, William A. Regulatory Takings: Law, Economics, and Politics. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1995.

    R. BlakeBrown

    Eric L.Chase

    Harold W.Chase

    Further Reading (Articles)

    SEN. RICE PUSHES HIS EMINENT DOMAIN LEGISLATION FORWARD, US Fed News Service, Including US State News; June 19, 2008

    Eminent domain up for action, Whittier Daily News; August 22, 2005; Mike Sprague

    Eminent domain abuse needs to be curbed, Oakland Tribune; January 27, 2008

    EMINENT DOMAIN; TROTWOOD CONSIDERS USING POPULAR METHOD FOR GOVERNMENTS TO GET PROPERTY, Dayton Daily News (Dayton, OH); November 16, 2003; Shannon Joyce Neal sjneal@DaytonDailyNews.com

    Eminent Domain Attorney James Morris, New Hampshire Business Review; August 24, 2012; McCord, Michael

    Eminent domain reform could hinder cities’ plans; Rosemount and other communities south of the river could find their plans for redevelopment stymied by proposed legislation that would curb cities’ ability to seize private property for economic purposes.(SOUTH), Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN); February 8, 2006; Kantor, Shira

    EMINENT DOMAIN’S CONTINUING ROLE THOUGH RECENT DISCRIMINATION RULING PROVED A SETBACK, LAW REMAINS STRONG FORCE, The Boston Globe (Boston, MA); June 5, 1987; Desiree French, Globe Staff

    Eminent Domain Legislation by State, Public Management; December 1, 2005; Morandi, Larry

    Eminent Domain and Economic Development: Striking a Balance: Eminent Domain Is a Long-Standing and Powerful Tool of Local Governments. It Is Also One of the Most Controversial, Particularly in Minority and Low-Income Communities, Partners in Community and Economic Development; January 1, 2006; Farr, Jessica LeVeen

    EMINENT DOMAIN IN DECLINE; A Change in State Law Limited the Power of Cities to Use Eminent Domain for Commercial Projects. since Then, itAEs Used Very Carefully, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN); August 23, 2013

    Eminent Domain Looms over Race Arlington Hts. Board Incumbents Keep Quiet, Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); April 1, 2007; Ahern, Sheila

    Eminent domain: Pulling the land out from under you // Legal power to take property expands to cover recreation (like ballparks), Sunday News Lancaster, PA; June 16, 2002; Gil Smart

    Eminent Domain Due Process, The Yale Law Journal; April 1, 2010; Hudson, D. Zachary

    Eminent Domain Battle Moves to Senate, NJBIZ; November 7, 2005; Goldstein, Scott

    Eminent domain to fight foreclosures is divisive, AP Online; November 23, 2013; By KATIE ZEZIMA

    Eminent domain reform on horizon: local government, environmentalists seek to frame issue in new way. California Planning & Development Report; January 1, 2007; Shigley, Paul

    Eminent Domain: Information about Its Uses and Effect on Property Owners and Communities Is Limited. General Accounting Office Reports & Testimony; December 1, 2006

    States and eminent domain: limiting public use, increasing compensation.(GOVERNMENT SPOTLIGHT), Valuation Insights & Perspectives; September 22, 2005; Morton, Justin

    BG’s eminent domain plan gets noticed. Daily News (Bowling Green, KY); November 7, 2005

    RICE EMINENT DOMAIN OVERHAUL LEGISLATION ADVANCES BILL WOULD CREATE GREATER OPENNESS, FAIRNESS IN EMINENT DOMAIN PROCESS. States News Service; October 7, 2010

    Introduction to Eminent Domain

    Eminent Domain, in public law, in its widest sense, the right or power to take private property for public use. More precisely, it is the right of the nation, or those to whom the power has been lawfully delegated, such as railroads and public utility companies, to appropriate, by due process of law, the ownership and possession of private property, and to pay the owner of the property a just compensation. Eminent domain differs from taxation in that the exercise of the right affects the owners of specified properties, whereas taxation always involves the principle of the distribution of a public burden among a number of persons.

    Eminent domain is an inherent and necessary attribute of sovereignty, and is superior to all private property rights. It is applied widely in the United States. The federal government possesses the right of eminent domain as a sovereign state. It has exercised that right in the acquisition of land for numerous public projects. However, the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States provides that “private property [shall not] be taken for public use, without just compensation.” These limitations have theoretically provided safeguards against excessive, unpredictable, or unfair use of the government’s eminent domain power.” (1)

    Power of Eminent Domain and Corporate Law

    This section provides basic coverage of Power of Eminent Domain in relation to U.S. state and federal corporate law. For comprehensive coverage, please visit the main entry.

    Meaning of Eminent Domain

    In plain or simple terms, Eminent Domain means: The power to take private property for public use by the state and municipalities.

    Basic Meaning of Eminent Domain

    Eminent Domain means: the inherent power of a government to take private property for public use. In the U.S. just compensation to the property owners is required.

    Eminent Domain and the Takings Clause Explained

    References

    See Also

    • Property

    Eminent Domain Background

    Resources

    See Also

    • Corporate Law

    Meaning of Eminent Domain

    In plain or simple terms, Eminent Domain means: The power to take private property for public use by the state and municipalities.

    Basic Meaning of Eminent Domain

    Eminent Domain means: the inherent power of a government to take private property for public use. In the U.S. just compensation to the property owners is required.

    Eminent Domain and the Takings Clause Explained

    References

    See Also

    • Property

    Eminent Domain Background

    Resources

    Notes and References

    Guide to Eminent Domain

    In this Section

    Eminent Domain, Eminent Domain at the Local Level and Supreme Court Rulings on Eminent Domain.

    Eminent Domain in State Statute Topics

    Introduction to Eminent Domain (State statute topic)

    The purpose of Eminent Domain is to provide a broad appreciation of the Eminent Domain legal topic. Select from the list of U.S. legal topics for information (other than Eminent Domain).

    Power of Eminent Domain and Corporate Law

    This section provides basic coverage of Power of Eminent Domain in relation to U.S. state and federal corporate law. For comprehensive coverage, please visit the main entry.

    Meaning of Eminent Domain

    In plain or simple terms, Eminent Domain means: The power to take private property for public use by the state and municipalities.

    Basic Meaning of Eminent Domain

    Eminent Domain means: the inherent power of a government to take private property for public use. In the U.S. just compensation to the property owners is required.

    Eminent Domain and the Takings Clause Explained

    References

    See Also

    • Property

    Eminent Domain Background

    Resources

    See Also

    • Corporate Law

    Meaning of Eminent Domain

    In plain or simple terms, Eminent Domain means: The power to take private property for public use by the state and municipalities.

    Basic Meaning of Eminent Domain

    Eminent Domain means: the inherent power of a government to take private property for public use. In the U.S. just compensation to the property owners is required.

    Eminent Domain and the Takings Clause Explained

    References

    See Also

    • Property

    Eminent Domain Background

    Resources

    Further Reading

    Eminent domain meaning

    Eminent domain is the right of the soveriegn over all property within its territorium. It is the right of the soveriegn to confiscate without compensation. Constitutional limitations on this sovereign power may exist and do exist in the United States where property when taken  by the government must be fairly compensated and may only be taken for public use.

    Authority of Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma v. Langley, 555 P.2d 1025, 1028.