7. Consecutive and Concurrent Interests in Land

According to the doctrine of estates, which provides the theoretical underpinnings of modern Land Law in England, a number of estates could exist simultaneously with regard to the same piece of land. Land could be settled upon one person for life, the remainder to a second person in fee tail, and the remainder to a third person in fee simple. The interests of the second and third persons are called future interests, which are considered consecutive interests in the land. In addition to consecutive interests, one can also have concurrent interests in the land. This chapter discusses the methods by which English law accommodates both consecutive and concurrent interests in the land. It also considers the law relating to co-ownership of land, the powers of the tenant for life, the structure of settlements, sale of trust, trust of land, the rights of beneficiaries, and overreaching.