Legal Definitions - merum jus

Merum jus is an abstract right in property that does not include possession or even the right of possession. It is also known as mere right, jus merum, or meer dreit.

For example, a person may have the true ultimate property of a piece of land, but due to certain circumstances, such as their own negligence or a court decision, the right of possession may be in favor of someone else. In this case, the person with the ultimate property only has a mere right, and must prove it in order to regain possession of the land.

This concept is often discussed in legal books and is important in property law.