Accession generally refers to the addition of something to personal
property through the addition of labor. Accession is derived from the civil
law notion that a person has a right to not only their property, but also
to that which the property produces, either through natural or artificial
means. Accession may happen in three ways: (1) naturally; (2) artificially;
(3) from the combined operation of nature and industry.
- Natural - The increase of an animal, the yield of fields, the rent of a house,
etc., belong to the owner of the animal fields, and house, respectively.
Thus, the offspring of a female animal is the property of her owner, even
it is the result of intercourse with a male belonging to someone else.
- Artificial - If the owner of a piece of leather can prove that it has been altered
to be turned into a pair of shoes, then under common law, that owner would
retain title to such shoes.
- Mixed - An example of the third kind of accession is the building of a house
on another's ground, or the planting of trees or sowing of vegetables in
another s field. The house, trees, etc., belong to the master of the soil
after making suitable compensation to the builder, planter, etc.
Related Terms
Terms with 'Accession'
