Because it endures indefinitely and is freely inheritable.

Because fee simple estates are always defeasible upon breach of conditions.

A licence allowing a friend to park a car on land at will.

A lease granting exclusive possession for a fixed term.

A personal promise to sell land in the future.

An informal understanding permitting access when convenient.

A mere contractual expectancy with no proprietary status.

A reversionary interest retained by the grantor.

A vested remainder with postponed enjoyment.

A contingent remainder dependent on satisfaction of a condition. 

The holder’s title is immune from Crown claims.

The holder possesses both the legal and equitable interests in the estate.

The holder cannot alienate the estate during their lifetime.

The holder has exclusive possession free from all competing interests.

Because possession must always precede title.

Because the holder lacks any present legal relationship to land.

Because future interests cannot be recognised by common law.

Because the interest may never vest due to unmet conditions.

Voluntary waste

Torrens title relies on possession, whereas General Law title relies on documentation.

Torrens title requires longer investigation periods, whereas General Law title required less.

Torrens title prioritises registration as the source of title, whereas General Law title prioritised historical validity.

Torrens title eliminates the role of the Crown in landholding.

Contractual rights are enforceable against third parties once notice is given.

Proprietary rights typically allow the holder to exclude others from a thing.

Contractual rights generally bind only the parties to the agreement.

Proprietary rights may persist despite changes in personal circumstances of the parties.

Haruka holds a life estate that terminates upon Harry’s death, regardless of her own survival.

Haruka holds a fee simple defeasible upon Harry’s death.

Haruka holds a life estate measured by her own lifespan.

Haruka holds a leasehold interest determinable by a third party.

“I give Blackacre to my spouse and her heirs.”

“I give Blackacre to my spouse.”

“I give Blackacre to my spouse absolutely.”

“I give Blackacre to my spouse for the term of her natural life.”