Legal Definitions - in perpetuam commendam

IN PERPETUAM COMMENDAM

in perpetuam commendam (in pər-pet-yoo-əm kə-men-dəm). [Law Latin] Hist. In perpetual trust. Something given in perpetuam commendam was equivalent to a gift.

1. The land was given to the church in perpetuam commendam.

2. The artwork was placed in perpetuam commendam with the museum.

These examples illustrate that when something is given in perpetuam commendam, it is given in trust and will be held indefinitely. It is similar to a gift, but with the added condition that it will be held in trust forever.