Tagged : Eminent Domain

In the United States, when the government wishes to seize privately held property, the exercise their right of eminent domain powers in order to procure it. Some states prefer to use the word 'appropriation', but essentially the process is the same. Other countries, such as the UK, Australia, and New Zealand call the practice 'compulsory purchase or acquisition'. Eminent domain is a right of the government to acquire privately owned property from a citizen, or their rights in a property with appropriate financial consideration. The permission of the citizen is not required, and the purpose of the seizure is not relevant.

In many cases, the U.S. government, for use by the government or for public utilities or railroad and highway creation exercises their…