Adverse

Adverse or adverse interest, in law, is anything that functions contrary to a party's interest.^[1]

For the 2020 film, see Adverse (film).

This word should not be confused with averse.

The most common use of the term is "an interest, claim , or right that is against another’s interest."^[1] This occurs not only in the law; examples also pop up in accounting. ^[2] Furthermore, an adverse interest is an exception to agency law. ^[3] The law regarding this exception is narrowly defined, so a judge will instruct a trial jury on the specific law.^[4]

A second use of the phrase is when some "witness with adverse interest means the witness is hostile. A hostile witness wants different results of the lawsuit than the party who calls them."^[1]

Adverse possession

A third use of the word "adverse" is "In real property, adverse interest means a person who is not the owner of the land or house owns an interest in the property."^[1]

In property law, adverse possession refers to an interest in real property which is contrary to the in-fact owner of the property. For example, an easement may permit some amount of access to property which might otherwise constitute a trespass.

See also

• Adverse inference
• Adverse party
• Adverse possession
• Adverse witness