Kezel Jackson is warning landowners in Trinidad and Tobago that simply holding a title deed may not always be enough to protect property that has been left unattended for many years. Speaking while promoting an upcoming land seminar, Jackson highlighted the law surrounding adverse possession, explaining that a person who occupies land openly and continuously for the required period may eventually be able to establish legal rights over that property. Under Trinidad and Tobago law, adverse possession involving privately owned land generally requires at least 16 years of possession, while claims involving State land generally require 30 years. However, simply remaining on a piece of land for the required number of years does not automatically make someone the legal owner. A person claiming adverse possession must demonstrate actual control of the property together with an intention to possess it. Evidence considered by a court can include fencing, construction, cultivation, maintenance and other actions showing control over the land. Jackson warned that someone who purchases property and then leaves it unattended for decades could potentially return to find themselves facing a legal challenge from a long-term occupier. She stressed that having a title deed does not necessarily defeat an adverse possession claim where all of the legal requirements have been established. Where those requirements are satisfied, a claimant may approach the High Court seeking orders connected to having the property vested or registered in their name. Jackson went further during her presentation, alleging that wealthy and influential people have previously acquired valuable properties through adverse possession rather than purchasing them outright. She claimed that some people who later developed major properties, including in Port of Spain and surrounding areas, obtained land through adverse possession. No individuals, companies or specific properties were identified in the video, and no documentary evidence was presented to substantiate those particular allegations. Jackson also claimed she was offered money over the weekend not to proceed with her seminar because some people were unhappy about the information she was sharing. That allegation has not been independently verified. Her broader message was directed at ordinary citizens and property owners. Jackson argued that understanding land law can help citizens better protect their property and navigate a system many people may find difficult to understand. She described education as empowerment and encouraged property owners to understand their rights rather than assuming a title deed means land can safely be left unattended indefinitely.
