Legal Definitions - in jure cessio

Definition:In jure cessio (in joor-ee sesh-ee-oh) is a term from Roman law that refers to a fictitious trial held to transfer ownership of property. It is a collusive claim to formally convey property, especially incorporeal property, by a court's assignment of ownership.

Example: In ancient Rome, if someone wanted to transfer ownership of property, they could use in jure cessio. At trial, the person who wanted to receive the property would appear before a praetor and assert ownership of the property. The actual owner would also appear, but would not contest the assertion, and would allow the transfer of the property to the plaintiff. This was most often used to convey incorporeal property, such as intellectual property or rights to use land.

Explanation: In jure cessio was a way to transfer ownership of property without having to go through a complicated legal process. It was a collusive claim, meaning that both parties agreed to the transfer of ownership. The trial was fictitious, meaning that it was not a real trial, but rather a formal process to transfer ownership. This was most often used for incorporeal property, which is property that does not have a physical form, such as intellectual property or rights to use land.