Reference no: EM131739080

There is a doctrine in property law known as adverse possession. When a trespasser possesses land owned by someone else, after a certain amount of time and under certain conditions, title automatically transfers (without compensation) from the original owner to the trespasser. The original owner faces a statute of limitations to maintain title and remove the trespasser. If the statute of limitations runs out, the court will consider the following conditions of possession before transferring title to the trespasser: (i) continuous or regular and uninterrupted occupancy of the land throughout the statute of limitations time period; (ii) hostile or in opposition to the interests of the true owner; (iii) open and notorious so that the true owner is clearly aware that the trespasser is there; (iv) actual occupation of the land with the intent to keep it solely for oneself; and , (v) exclusive occupancy so that there is no confusion as to who acquires title once the time has run out. Describe an economic efficiency rationale for (or against) the doctrine of adverse possession.