The only form of freehold ownership which can exist as a legal estate under the Law of Property Act 1925. “Fee” and “simple” are both explained under “fee simple”; “absolute” means that it will last forever, ie it is not determinable, except that the land will revert to the Crown as bona vacantia if he owner dies intestate and without heirs; “in possession” indicates either physical possession or the right to take rents and profits, eg the rent payable by a tenant under a lease. Cf TERM OF YEARS ABSOLUTE.

The old (pre-1926) term for land granted as an entailed interest whereby succession to heirs is limited, eg to the heirs of the grantee’s body or to the heirs male of the grantee. If there are no surviving special heirs the estate reverts to the grantor or passes in “remainder” to such person or heirs as have been nominated in the grant. Cf FEE SIMPLE.

A directive issued by the Forestry Commission under section 18 of the Forestry Act 1967 to the owner of afforested land requiring him to fell particular trees so as to allow better growth to others, thus improving overall productivity.

A licence required from the Forestry Commission under section 9 of the Forestry Act 1967, except in emergency, to fell trees over 4 inches in diameter.

A full, or senior, member of a professional body who enjoys the maximum privileges of membership.

A government scheme providing finance for companies in the iron and steel foundry industry. It includes financial support for new buildings and improvements in working arrangements. It was set up under section 8 of the Industry Act 1972.

A feudal holding. To feu is strictly to give out land upon a feudal arrangement whereby the vassal holds land of a superior landowner. He is then virtually owner of the land so long as he pays rent and observes any conditions. Feu is the equivalent of fee in England and Wales, originally a grant of land made by a sovereign as a reward for services rendered. A piece of land thus feued is sometimes referred to as a feu. See DOMINIUM DIRECTUM; DOMINIUM UTILE.

The person who has possession and use of ground in return for a feu duty.

A unilateral document signed by a superior which sets up the relationship of superior and vassal. It specifies the boundaries of the feu, the purposes for which the ground is feued, the conditions attaching to the grant and the feu duty payable.

A contract between a superior and his vassal regarding the giving of land in feu.

See SUPERIOR.

A unilateral deed signed by a superior, the contents of which are in a feu charter, except that the feuar pays down a lump sum or “grassum” and the feu duty stipulated to be paid is often nominal only.

An annual payment comparable to a perpetual rentcharge south of the border. New feu duties are now prohibited. In certain circumstances existing duties can or must be redeemed.

Feu duty normally payable yearly or half-yearly in perpetuity.

The International Real Estate Federation, which was originally called Federation Internationale des Administrateurs de Bien Conseils et Immobiliers, but now the Federation Internationale des Professions Immobilieres, although the old initials are retained.

The owner of a fee. See FEE 2.

1. Descriptive of a relationship in which a person is bound to exercise rights and powers in good faith for the benefit of another, eg trustee and beneficiary.

2. A person so bound.

Territory held in fee, ie by a subordinate from a superior who could be his sovereign. A feudal benefice or an estate under the feudal system.

Federation Internationale des Geometres, the international title of the International Federation of Surveyors.

The finally agreed statement of the total sum to be paid as calculated at the end of a contract. The figure includes all interim payments and retentions, and the payment due there-under is the amount outstanding.