ancient lights
noun1
Law The right, based in English common law, of a property owner to retain an accustomed, unobstructed view and satisfactory illumination from his or her window(s), restricting nearby construction that would obstruct such a view or such illumination; the window(s) providing such an accustomed view or satisfactory illumination.
- It was reſolved by the Opinion of the aforeſaid Judges, That the Cuſtom of London will not enable a Man to erect a new Houſe upon a void Space of Ground, whereby the ancient Lights of an old Houſe are ſtopp'd up.1723, William Bohun, Privilegia Londini: Or, The Rights, Liberties, Privileges, Laws, and Customs, of the City of London, 3rd edition, page 103:
- If a house or wall is erected so near to mine that it stops my ancient lights, which is a private nuisance, I may enter my neighbour's land, and peaceably pull it down.1823, Sir William Blackstone (author), Vincent Wanostroch (editor), The British Constitution, or an Epitome of Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England, for the Use of Schools, p. 403 (Google preview)
3 more examples
- At home he might hang himself out of window, and nobody would mind much, provided he did not obstruct anybody's ancient lights or break away and injure any passer underneath.1900, Jerome K. Jerome, chapter 9, in Three Men on the Bummel:
- Writing the majority decision, Judge Shirley S. Abrahamson noted that the English common law "doctrine of ancient lights" entitled a landowner to an unobstructed access to sunlight across an adjoining property if the landowner had already enjoyed the privilege for some time.1982 July 10, “Landmark Decision on Sun Access”, in New York Times, retrieved 05 Feb 2014:
- Those who have successfully claimed the right to “ancient lights” down the years, understood this in a way today’s development-hungry councils do not.2013 February 26, Mary Dejevksy, “Don’t let the developers take your last civil right–the right to light”, in The Independent, UK, retrieved 06 Feb 2014:
- Hypernyms
- light