Understanding Year Day and Waste in English Law

Definition & Meaning

The term "year day and waste" refers to a historical legal principle in English law that granted the Crown the right to claim the profits and any waste of a convicted person's land for a period of one year and one day. This right was applicable to individuals found guilty of petty treason or felony. After this timeframe, the land would be returned to the original lord of the fee. This practice was abolished by the Corruption of Blood Act of 1814, which eliminated the Crown's claim to such rights.

Table of content

Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

Example 1: A person convicted of felony theft has their property rights temporarily suspended. The Crown collects any profits from the land for one year and one day before returning it to the original owner.

(hypothetical example)

Comparison with related terms

Term Definition Difference
Corruption of Blood A legal doctrine that prevents a person from inheriting property due to their conviction of a crime. Corruption of Blood focuses on inheritance rights, while year day and waste pertains to property profits during a specific time frame.
Forfeiture The loss of property or rights as a penalty for a crime. Forfeiture can occur immediately upon conviction, while year day and waste involves a delay of one year and one day.

What to do if this term applies to you

If you believe that the historical context of year day and waste may impact your property rights or if you are dealing with a felony conviction, consider consulting a legal professional. They can provide guidance specific to your situation. Additionally, you can explore US Legal Forms for templates that may assist you in managing related legal documents.

Quick facts

  • Abolished by the Corruption of Blood Act of 1814.
  • Applies to individuals convicted of petty treason or felony.
  • Involves a time frame of one year and one day.

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

It refers to the Crown's historical right to profits from a convicted person's land for one year and one day.