bona vacantia
Defined in 6 dictionaries — Case Law, Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Black's (1891)
Definitions from Case Law
From 321 U.S. 233 - Anderson Nat Bank v. Luckett · 1944Most cited · 786 citing opinions
At common law, abandoned personal property was not the subject of escheat, but was subject only to the right of appropriation by the sovereign as bona vacantia.
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
Goods to which no one claims a property, as shipwrecks, treasure trove, etc.; vacant goods. These bona vacantia belonged, under the common law, to the finder, except in certain instances, when they were the property of the king. 1 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 298, note.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
Goods to which no one claims a property, as shipwrecks, treasure-trove, etc.; vacant goods. Bona vacantia belonged, under the common law, to the finder, except in certain instances, when they were the property of the king. 1 Sharsw. Bla. Com. 298, n.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
Vacant, unclaimed, or stray goods. Those things in which nobody claims a property, and which belong to the crown, by virtue of its prerogative. 1 Bl. Comm. 298.
Defined under Bona in Black's Law Dictionary.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
Vacant, unclaimed, or stray goods. Those things in which nobody claims a property, and which belong to the crown, by virtue of its prerogative. 1 Bl, Comm. 298.