Comparative Study of Buyer's Protection Based on the Respect Principle in Comparative Jurisprudence and Law

In Imamiah Shiite jurisprudence, the laws pertaining to one buying a property in good faith are categorized into two groups. Some, like the Zemnal-Yad or the principle of respect, are of substantive nature and bend us towards a full support of owners despite the purchaser's good faith. The other categories, including laws like the ones of Sehat and Yad, are more of procedural nature, and designed to minimize the possibility of a purchaser acting in good faith. Applying the mentioned rules, the property is given to the owner only if the possessor has usurped it or confessed to the prior ownership of the claimant. Imam supports the buyer acting in good faith and does not differentiate between stealing and seizing the property with the owner's authority.