Legal Definitions - corporeal possession

Definition: Corporeal possession refers to the physical control or occupancy of a property or material object. It is the right to exercise dominion over property and exclude others from using it. It is a legal relationship between a person and a property that is distinct from ownership or apparent ownership.

Examples: A farmer who cultivates a piece of land has corporeal possession of it. A person who holds a coin in their hand has corporeal possession of the coin. A tenant who occupies a rented apartment has corporeal possession of the apartment.

Explanation: Corporeal possession is the actual physical control or occupancy of a property or material object. It is different from ownership, which is the legal right to possess and control a property. For example, a person may own a piece of land but not have corporeal possession of it if someone else is occupying it. Similarly, a person may have corporeal possession of a rented apartment but not own it. Corporeal possession is important in determining the legal rights and responsibilities of a person with respect to a property.