Property, Land and Real Rights
Core concepts
Property law covers ownership, possession, usufruct, servitudes, and registration. Understand the distinction between ownership and lesser real rights, the role of the land registry, and the rules on transfer and mortgage. Know the principles of accession, co-ownership, and neighbor law.
Traps
Examiners test whether possession alone creates ownership; generally it does not without the required period or title. Another trap is confusing a lease (personal right) with a usufruct (real right). Watch for registration requirements: an unregistered transfer may not bind third parties.
Worked example
A buyer pays for land but does not register. As between the parties the contract may be valid, but against a later registered purchaser the unregistered buyer may lose. Rule of thumb: check the registry before asserting priority.
Exam strategy
For each fact pattern, classify the right (ownership, possession, servitude, lease), then check formalities and registration.