Legal Definitions - grant to uses

Definition: Grant to uses is a historical legal term that refers to the conveyance of legal title to real property from one person to another for the benefit of a third person.

For example, if A conveyed land to B and his heirs to the use of C and his heirs, B would become the legal owner of the land, but C would be considered the equitable owner of the land. This means that C would be entitled to the land's rents, profits, and benefits, even though B had possession of the land.

The grant to uses was a popular mode of conveyance from the 13th century onwards. It allowed landowners to avoid feudal payments and transfer property to others without losing control over it.

Example: John owns a piece of land that he wants to give to his son, but he also wants his daughter to benefit from it. He conveys the land to his son to the use of his daughter. This means that John's son will have legal ownership of the land, but John's daughter will be entitled to its benefits.

Explanation: In this example, John is using the grant to uses to transfer legal ownership of the land to his son while ensuring that his daughter benefits from it. His son will have possession of the land, but his daughter will be entitled to its rents, profits, and benefits.