Animus possidendi

“Animus possidendi” is a Latin term that means “intent to possess” or “intent to occupy” in English. This term is commonly used in legal contexts to refer to an individual’s mental state or intent to possess or control a particular property or object.

In property law, the concept of “animus possidendi” is often used to determine whether someone has the necessary intent to claim ownership or possession of a property. It is an essential element when establishing a claim of adverse possession, which is a legal principle that allows a person to acquire ownership of land by openly using and occupying it for a certain period, given that certain conditions are met.

This term is mainly used in legal jargon, particularly in discussions related to property rights and possession within the context of legal systems.