This book is the second of a series in which experts engage critically with the context, criteria and consequences of expropriation. The State, in the shape of monarchies, dictatorships, or democracies, has been using expropriation to implement its policies since the times of ancient Rome. This book therefore contains contributions on the historical context of expropriation. Despite its age, however, expropriation law is constantly evolving at the national and international level. The contributors show how European human rights law and international soft law instruments shape national criteria and expropriation procedures. They discuss how comparative law and insights from the theory of human flourishing can help to improve the criteria for the justification of expropriation. From comparative and international perspectives, the contributors deal with the criteria that determine whether compensation is due for a regulatory taking, constructive expropriation or excessive regulation of property. The contributors examine the definition of takings and whether the dissolution of condominium constitutes a taking. They uncover how the amount of compensation can play a role in the justification of expropriation. Lastly, the contributors examine the consequences of expropriation for residential communities.

Target group

Academics in the field of private and notary law.

Author's information

B. Hoops, LL.M., PhD Candidate and Lecturer, Department of Private Law and Notarial Law, Faculty of Law, University of Groningen, the Netherlands.

E.J. Marais is senior lecturer at the University of Johannesburg.

H. Mostert is Professor of Law and NRF/DST SARChI Research Chair: Mineral Law in Africa, University of Cape Town; Visiting Professor, Department for Private and Notary Law, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.

J.A.M.A. Sluysmans is Professor of Expropriation Law at Radboud University (Nijmegen) and partner at Van der Feltz advocaten (The Hague).

L.C.A. Verstappen is Professor in Private Law, in particular Notarial Law, Department of Private Law and Notarial Law, University of Groningen.