Legal Definitions - legal servitude

Legal servitude is a type of encumbrance or burden on a piece of land or property that limits its use for the benefit of another person or the general public. Examples of legal servitudes include restrictions on certain uses of the shores of navigable rivers and the obligation of an owner to provide a passage to an enclosed estate.

For instance, a landowner may be required to provide a pathway for the public to access a nearby beach. This is an example of a legal servitude that benefits the general public.

Legal servitude is different from involuntary servitude, which refers to the condition of being forced to work for another person without consent.

Other types of servitudes include easements, irrevocable licenses, profits, and real covenants. These servitudes can be acquired through agreement, prescription, or natural appurtenance to the land.

For example, a landowner may grant an easement to a neighbor to use a portion of their land for a driveway. This is an example of an acquired servitude that benefits a specific person.