CONDITIONAL

LIMITATION  , in law, a phrase used in two senses . (1) The qualification annexed to the grant of an estate or interest in land, providing for the determination of that grant or interest upon a particular contingency happening . An estate with such a limitation can endure only until the particular contingency happens; it is a present interest, to be divested on a future contingency . The grant of an estate to a man so long as he is parson of Dale, or while he continues unmarried, are instances of conditional limitations of estates for life . (2) A future use or interest in land limited to take effect upon a given contingency . For instance, a grant to X. and his heirs to the use of A., provided that when C. returns from Rome the land shall go to the use of B. in fee simple . B. is said to take under a conditional limitation, operating by executory devise or springing or shifting use (see REMAINDER, REVERSION) .