Hohfeld

Question 1

Why are Hohfeld relations important?

Answer 1

Fundamental Legal relations are sui generis, and thus any attempts to define them turn out to be unsatisfactory. Hohfeld proposes that it is therefore more efficient to define them relatively, in a scheme of “opposites and correlatives” and use such relations to exemplify their usage.

Question 2

What are the hohfeld relations?

Answer 2

RPDN
Rights Privileges
Duties No-Rights

PILD
Power Immunity
Liability Disability

Cross is jural opposites
Vertical is correlative

Question 3

What is the relationship between Rights and Duties

Answer 3

They are jural correlatives. If X has a right against Y, then Y has a duty towards X to respect that right. Example, if X has a right against Y that Y shall stay of X’s land, then Y has a duty to do so. It would be useful to refer to right as “claim” in this situation

Question 4

Privileges and No-Rights