Legal Definitions - prescriptive right

A prescriptive right is a legal right that is obtained through continuous use or enjoyment of a property or land for a certain period of time. This right is acquired without the need for a formal agreement or permission from the owner of the property.

For example, if a person has been using a pathway on their neighbor's property for over 20 years without any objection from the neighbor, they may acquire a prescriptive right to continue using the pathway as an easement appurtenant to their own property.

Another example is if a person has been parking their car on a certain spot on a public street for over 10 years without any objection from the local authorities, they may acquire a prescriptive right to continue parking their car on that spot.

These examples illustrate how a prescriptive right can be acquired through continuous use or enjoyment of a property or land for a certain period of time without the need for a formal agreement or permission from the owner or authorities.