Pre Emption, Right Of

Pre-emption, Right of, the power of buying a thing before others, as superfluous lands under the (English) Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, s. 128, which must before sale be offered to the persons from whom they were originally taken, or to the adjoining owners; as to registration of contracts or deeds giving the right of pre-emption as estate contracts, see (English) Land Charges Act, 1925, s. 10. Compare the right of pre-emption which a county council has by virtue of s. 12 (4) of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908. Also, a privilege formerly allowed to the royal purveyor, but abolished by 12 Car. 2, c. 24. See OPTION TO PURCHASE.