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Solum meaning

What does Solum mean?
In land and property law, solum describes the physical ground or subsoil on which a building or structure stands (the land beneath its footprint). It is a descriptive expression used across conveyancing and real estate practice. In Scotland, it is a recognised term of art appearing in statute and case law (for example, the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 and the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984). In England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland, the concept is the same but practitioners more often say subsoil or soil. The solum matters for title, boundaries, foundations and support, excavation and subsidence risk, access and drainage rights, and responsibility for repairs. Ownership of a building’s solum usually carries rights in the ground immediately beneath it, subject to the title and any servitudes/easements or mineral reservations. Usage is broadly consistent across the UK and Ireland, but road and highway contexts differ: in Scotland the solum of a public road typically vests in the roads authority by statute, whereas in England and Wales and Northern Ireland the subsoil of a highway generally remains with the adjoining owner subject to highway rights (Ireland is broadly similar, though terminology varies). Practically, “who owns the solum?” is a key due diligence question...
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PRACTICE NOTES
Scottish Private Client Practice Glossary: Succession, Trusts, Guardianship and Property Terms with England and Wales Equivalents

A glossary of frequently used terms and phrases in Scottish Private Client law, with the closest England and Wales equivalents (where applicable) and links to helpful websites Ab intestato Meaning From someone who dies without a will; describes property taken under the laws of intestate succession. Nearest English equivalent None Action of specific implement Meaning A court action seeking an order compelling a party to carry out a particular act. In Scotland there is no division between equitable and legal remedies, unlike England and Wales. Nearest English equivalent Specific performance (an equitable remedy for breach of contract that can be ordered alongside, or in place of, damages) Advance notice Meaning An entry in the relevant property register that protects the grantee of a deed intended for registration in the Land Register of Scotland. The protected period of 35 days begins on the day after registration....

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PRACTICE NOTES
Scots Property Law Glossary: Key Terms with England and Wales Equivalents, Registers, Land Registration and Conveyancing Practice

This glossary outlines commonly used terms and phrases in Scottish property law, together with the closest England and Wales equivalents (where appropriate), and signposts guidance on differences between Scottish property transactions and law, as well as useful property-related websites. A non domino disposition Meaning A disposition granted by someone with no title to the property. Formerly, this could regularise a defective title where, after registering a non domino disposition, the grantee possessed the property openly, peaceably and without judicial interruption for ten years. Since 8 December 2014, with the commencement of the Land Registration etc (Scotland) Act 2012 (LRE(S)A 2012), a party seeking to obtain title to land where no owner can be traced must comply with the prescriptive claimant provisions in LRE(S)A 2012, ss 43–45 before submitting an a non domino disposition for registration. Nearest English equivalent None, although possessory title is similar. Action of specific implement Meaning A court action seeking an order compelling a party to perform a specified...

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