rule of capture

rule of capture definition - legal

n

  1. Acquiring the ownership of property where there previously was no ownership; thereby, any wild animals captured belong to the person who captures them, regardless of whose property they were upon previously.
  2. If the recipient of property displays an intent to take full control of that property and not just pass it on to another, that person captures full rights to that property including the ability to pass it on to his or her heirs.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.