Escheats Act (C.C.S.M. c. E140).

This Act regulates the procedure to be taken by the Minister of Justice with regards to escheatable land. Escheat refers to the reversion of property to the crown in the absence of legal heirs. Section 1 gives the Minister of Justice the power to take possession of forfeited property. Section 2 states that the proceedings to escheat will be similar to those in other actions for the recovery of land. Section 3 authorises the government to make grants of escheat land, in order to transfer them to a person who had legal or moral claim over the previous owner, or carry into effect any disposition the previous owner may have contemplated, or for a reward. Such a grant can be made without entry or prior inquisition, (sect. 4). The Lieutenant Governor Council may waive or release any right to which the Crown may have become entitled, (sect. 5). Section 6 empowers the government to assign personal property, and the Minister of Finance may administer the estate, (sect. 7).