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Home > Law > Law glossary > Law glossary
Right of preemption
Last modified: Thu Feb 23 16:37:37 2006
This is the right to be given the first opportunity to buy an InterestInLand,
if the prospective seller decides to sell. Typically such a right would be
contained in a Contract and, like any other contract, must be supported
by Consideration. Unlike an OptionToPurchase,
a right of preemption (`right of first refusal') cannot compel the proprietor
to sell. Consequently, there is some doubt about whether it is, in itself, an InterestInLand.
This is an important issue, because if it is not an interest in land, it cannot be
protected by the entry of a notice against the RegisteredTitle. This means
that if the person who granted the right of preemption then sells the land
to someone else in contravention of that right, the right is lost. The balance of
authority until 2002 was that a right of preemption did not create an interest in
land.
s.115 of the LRA2002 states that a right of preemption may be enforceable against
successors in title, from the moment of its creation, provided that its priority
is protected in the usual ways. Whether this makes it an interest in land or
not in still unclear, the practical question whether it can be protected on
the register is now answered in the affirmative.
ContractLaw
LandAndPropertyLaw
Law glossary index
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