What does the term ‘adverse possession’ refer to?

The term ‘adverse possession’ refers to the process by which an individual can acquire ownership of land through continuous, unauthorized use that meets specific legal requirements set by law. This typically includes conditions such as possession being open and notorious, exclusive, continuous for a certain statutory period, and hostile to the true owner's interests. Essentially, if a person occupies and uses land as if they are its owner, without permission from the original owner, they may eventually gain legal title to that land if they meet these criteria. This principle is rooted in the idea that land should not be left idle and that use of the land over time can establish a claim to it.