Avulsion
Avulsion
Avulsion
It is the deposit of known (identifiable) portion of land detached from the property of another which is
attached to the property of another as a result of the effect of the current of a river, creek or torrent.
Note: Art. 459 states that Whenever the current of a river, creek, or torrent segregates from an
estate on its banks a known portion of land and transfers it to another estate, the owner of the land to
which the segregated portion belonged retains the ownership of it, provided he removes it within 2
years.
Exceptions: The owner must remove (not merely claim) the transported portion within 2 years to
retain ownership, otherwise, the land not removed shall belong to the owner of the land to which it
has been adjudicated in case of:
1. Abandonment; or
2. Expiration of 2 years, whether the failure to remove be voluntary or involuntary, and irrespective of
the area of the portion known to have been transferred
AVULSION
The process whereby the current of a river, creek, or torrent segregates from an estate on
its bank a known portion of land and transfers it to another estate
The removal of a considerable quantity of earth upon or annexation to the land
of another, suddenly, and by the perceptible action of the water
REQUISITES OF AVULSION
1. Sudden and violent
2. Land is identifiable and known
3. Owner of the land where the land was detached retains ownershipsubject to
remove land within 2 years
N.B: it doesn't matter if it adds or lands on top. It also doesn't matter if there were trees attached to
the detached land.
RIVER
A natural stream of water, of greater volume than a creek or rivulet flowing, in a more
or less permanent bed or channel, between defined banks or walls with a current which
may either be continuous in one direction or affected by the ebb and flow of the tide
CREEK
TORRENT
Art. 460. Trees uprooted and carried away by the current of the waters belong to the
owner of the land upon which they may be cast, if the owners do not claim them
within six months. If such owners claim them, they shall pay the expenses incurred in
gathering them or putting them in a safe place. (369a)
NOTE: The six-month period given in Article 460 should be considered only a condition
precedent. The recovery period must be made within the period for prescription.
What is avulsion?
Avulsion is the process whereby the current of a river, creek, torrent or lake
segregates from an estate on its bank a known portion of land and transfers it to
another estate.
It is also called the "force of the river", since avulsion implies a violent tearing or
breaking away.
It may also be referred to as "delayed accession" in the sense that if the owner
abandons the soil involved, or fails to remove the same within two years, the land to
which it has been attached acquires ownership thereof.
What are the requisites of avulsion?
1.
2.
3.
3.