In the past, the duty of watch and ward required certain individuals to maintain constant vigilance. This entailed keeping watch at night and standing guard during the day, and was considered a feudal obligation.
In feudal times, the duty of watch and ward required certain tenants to maintain continuous vigilance by keeping guard both day and night. For example, in medieval England, tenants were responsible for protecting their lord’s property from thieves and other dangers, and had to sound the alarm if they saw any suspicious activity. This duty was crucial for maintaining law and order in the feudal system.
“Watch and Ward” is a legal concept that refers to the duty of individuals or organisations to provide security and protection for a particular area or property.
The responsibility for implementing “Watch and Ward” typically falls on the property owner or the entity in charge of the area that requires protection.
The property owner is legally obligated to take reasonable measures to ensure the safety and security of the premises, such as hiring security personnel, installing surveillance systems, or implementing access control measures.
Yes, if a property owner fails to fulfill their “Watch and Ward” obligations and it results in harm or injury to others, they can be held legally liable for negligence.
Negligence in “Watch and Ward” cases refers to the failure to exercise reasonable care in providing security measures, such as not addressing known security risks or not adequately responding to potential threats.
Yes, a property owner can delegate their “Watch and Ward” responsibilities to a third party, such as a security company. However, they still retain some level of responsibility for ensuring that the third party fulfills their obligations.
In some cases, a property owner can be held partially liable for criminal acts committed on their premises if it can be proven that their negligence or failure to provide adequate security measures contributed to the occurrence of the crime.
The specific legal requirements or standards for “Watch and Ward” may vary depending on the jurisdiction. However, generally, property owners are expected to take reasonable measures based on the circumstances to ensure the safety of their premises.
In certain situations, such as during natural disasters or emergencies, a property owner may be temporarily exempt from their “Watch and Ward” obligations if it is not reasonably possible to fulfill them due to the circumstances.
Yes, a person can still sue a property owner for injuries sustained on their premises, even if the “Watch and Ward” obligations were fulfilled. However, the property owner’s fulfillment of their obligations may be considered as a defence against the claim.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/watch-and-ward/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Watch And Ward. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. May 09 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/watch-and-ward/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Watch And Ward. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/watch-and-ward/ (accessed: May 09 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Watch And Ward. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved May 09 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/watch-and-ward/
Our team of professionals are based in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. We offer clear, specialist legal advice in all matters relating to Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Probate, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection.
All author posts