Lien.

Holding on to someone’s property until they pay their debt.

Lien is the legal word to describe a person’s right to hold on to the property of another to ensure payment. The right arises where for example, being a mechanic, a person brings his vehicle for repairs. You have the right to hold on to the vehicle whilst you wait for payment of the repairs you effected.

However, during the time you are exercising a lien over someone else’s property, you must not be using it.

A landlord has a right to hold on to the property of a tenant pending the payment of rental debts.

Professionals like lawyers, accountants, bankers, and engineers can hold onto the documents of a client who owes them. they have the right to hold on to the documents until the client pays his/her dues.

A lien is a way of securing debts that is recognized by the law. The only requirement is that you should keep the goods held in the same condition as you found them and surrender the goods upon the payment of the money owed.

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The author of this snippet is Simon Flemming Mutandi, a lawyer who writes in his personal capacity. The purpose of these pieces is to share insights into the law. The language and content are simplified to give the reader a digest of complex legal issues. For more information contact 0783475020 or email simonflemming1@gmail.com.