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bona fide purchaser

Defined in 5 dictionaries — Case Law, U.S. Code, Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910)

Definitions from Case Law

From 233 U.S. 613 - Logan v. Davis · 1914Most cited · 235 citing opinions

It will be observed that this protection is not granted to simply bona fide purchasers (using that term in the technical sense), but to those who have one of the elements declared to be essential to a bona fide purchaser; to wit, good faith. It matters not what constructive notice may be chargeable to such a purchaser if, in actual ignorance of any defect in the railroad company's title, and in reliance upon the action of the government in the apparent transfer of title by certification or patent, he has made an honest purchase of the lands.

Show all 5 Supreme Court definitions and how they changed over time 1857–1915

United States Code

12 U.S.C. § 3752 — for purposes of this chapter

The term “bona fide purchaser” means a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of any adverse claim, and who acquires the security property free of any adverse claim.

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

One who buys property without notice, actual or constructive, that some third person has a right to or interest in it, and pays a full and or interest of such third person. 66 Barb. (N. Y.) 227. If he has paid but a part of the consideration, he is a bona fide purchaser pro tanto only. 3 Barb, Ch. (N. Y.) 498. There must be (a) absence of notice or of suspicious circumstances tending to put a reasonably cautious man on inquiry (12 Barb. [N. Y.] 605), and (b) a present valuable consideration, a good consideration (49 N. Y. 286), or one that is past (52 N. Y. 138) or executory (14 Mich. 514), being insufficient. The term implies an actual reliance in good faith on the apparent right of the seller. 28 Ga. 170.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

A buyer at a fair price and without notice of any outstanding claim of title or interest. See 82 Am. St. Rep. 211; also 31 L. R. A. 612.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

See Bona Fide.

Defined under Purchaser in Black's Law Dictionary.