Meaning of ancient lights | Babel Free

Definitions

The right, based in English common law, of a property owner to retain an accustomed, unobstructed view and satisfactory illumination from his or her window(s), restricting nearby construction that would obstruct such a view or such illumination; the window(s) providing such an accustomed view or satisfactory illumination.

plural, plural-only

Examples

“It was reſolved by the Opinion of the aforeſaid Judges, That the Cuſtom of London will not enable a Man to erect a new Houſe upon a void Space of Ground, whereby the ancient Lights of an old Houſe are ſtopp'd up.”

“If a house or wall is erected so near to mine that it stops my ancient lights, which is a private nuisance, I may enter⟳ my neighbour's land⟳, and peaceably pull⟳ it down.”

“At home he might hang⟳ himself out of window, and nobody would mind⟳ much, provided he did not obstruct anybody's ancient lights or break⟳ away and injure⟳ any passer underneath.”

“Writing the majority decision, Judge⟳ Shirley S. Abrahamson noted that the English common law "doctrine of ancient lights" entitled a landowner to an unobstructed access to sunlight across an adjoining property if the landowner had already enjoyed the privilege for some time.”

“Those who have⟳ successfully claimed the right to “ancient lights” down the years, understood this in a way today’s development-hungry councils do not.”

CEFR level