Hohfeld's Analysis — the Examiner's Favourite Grid — KSLU Jurisprudence Notes

Hohfeld’s Analysis — the Examiner’s Favourite Grid

flowchart TD
    ROOT["Hohfeld: 'right' hides<br/>four distinct relations"]:::root
    ROOT --> A["Claim-right<br/>correlative: DUTY"]:::leaf
    ROOT --> B["Liberty / privilege<br/>correlative: NO-RIGHT"]:::leaf
    ROOT --> C["Power<br/>correlative: LIABILITY"]:::leaf
    ROOT --> D["Immunity<br/>correlative: DISABILITY"]:::leaf

    classDef root fill:#FFF8DC,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px,color:#000;
    classDef leaf fill:#E6F3FF,stroke:#1E3A8A,color:#000;
    linkStyle default stroke:#888,stroke-width:1px;

Hohfeld’s point: lawyers say “right” for four different things. I have a claim that you keep off my land (you owe a duty); a liberty to walk on my own land (you have no right to stop me); a power to sell it (you are liable to a change of position); an immunity from having it taken without authority (the State is under a disability). Using the correct pair in an answer is an instant mark-winner.