Mobilia Sequuntur Personam

The legal maxim 'Mobilia Sequuntur Personam' states that movable property (or personal property) is generally governed by the law of the person who possesses it, rather than by the law of the place where the property is situated. This principle underlines the concept that the ownership and rights associated with movable properties are determined by the domicile or jurisdiction of the owner.

The principle originates from English common law and is grounded in the idea that each person’s movable property is subject to their personal jurisdiction. It reflects the complexities of property law as developed in medieval Europe.

In modern legal contexts, 'Mobilia Sequuntur Personam' is significant in cases of international property law, particularly when dealing with the jurisdictional issues of movable assets across borders. This maxim is often invoked during legal disputes involving wills, trusts, and property rights to determine which jurisdiction's laws apply to the movable property in question.

• If a person relocates from one state to another, the personal property they bring with them is generally governed by the laws of the new state, not the old one.
• A foreign national’s furniture in a rented apartment in the U.S. would be subject to U.S. law despite being owned by a non-resident.

• Jenkins v. McCoy, 185 U.S. 182 (1902)