In Jamaican real estate law, “quantum” generally refers to the concept of “quantum meruit,” which translates to “as much as he deserves.” In the context of property law, this term is often associated with compensation calculations when land is acquired or impacted for public use, particularly under the principle of compulsory acquisition.
When the government or an authority needs to acquire land for major public works, such as infrastructure projects, they may invoke the power of compulsory acquisition. This process requires the land to be sold or transferred to the government, often against the will of the property owner. The term “quantum” in this context relates to the assessment of fair compensation that the property owner should receive for their land.
Here’s how quantum works in such cases:
Compensation Calculation: Quantum is used to determine the amount of compensation that should be paid to the property owner. This is based on the fair market value of the land at the time of acq…
