Trusts of Land

Introduction

An **easement** is a proprietary right enjoyed by the owner of one piece of land (the **dominant tenement**) over a neighbouring piece of land (the **servient tenement**) — rights of way, drainage, light, and the running of services are common examples. This chapter sets out the **essential characteristics** of an easement (**Re Ellenborough Park** [1956] Ch 131), the distinction between **legal and equitable** easements, every **method of creation** (express, implied — necessity, common intention, **Wheeldon v Burrows**, **s.62 LPA 1925** — and prescription), how easements **bind successors in title** in registered and unregistered land, the ways an easement may be **extinguished**, and the related interest of the **profit à prendre**.

Assessment focus

Easements are a core SQE1 FLK2 topic. You must know the essential characteristics of an easement (**Re Ellenborough Park**), the distinction between **legal and equitable** easements, and **every method of creation** — express, implied (necessity, common intention, **Wheeldon v Burrows**, **s.62 LPA 1925**), and **prescription**. Scenario questions frequently test **whether a right qualifies as an easement** and **how it was created**. You should also understand how easements **bind successors in title** in both registered and unregistered land. The SRA official sample questions include a prescription scenario (**SSQ Q103**).

Study tips

1) Memorise the **four Re Ellenborough Park requirements** and apply them systematically. 2) Master the **ouster principle** and the parking cases (**Copeland v Greenhalf**, **Batchelor v Marlow**, **Moncrieff v Jamieson**, **Kettel v Bloomfold**). 3) Distinguish **Wheeldon v Burrows** (continuous and apparent quasi-easements) from **s.62 LPA 1925** (general words converting a prior licence into an easement). 4) Remember **implied reservation** is far more restrictive — only necessity and common intention; **Wheeldon** and **s.62** do not assist a reservation. 5) For prescription, recall the three methods and **nec vi, nec clam, nec precario**. 6) For enforceability, know **s.27(2)(d) LRA 2002** registration, **Sch 3 para 3** overriding interests, and the **Class D(iii) land charge** in unregistered land.