Bona Vacantia

Definition of Bona Vacantia

In accordance with the work A Dictionary of Law, this is a description of Bona Vacantia : (Latin: empty goods)

Property not disposed of by a deceased’s will and to which there is no relation entitled on intestacy. Under the Administration of Estates Act 1925, such property passes to the Crown, the Duchy of Lancaster, or the Duke of Cornwall. In practice it is usually used to make ex gratia payments, at the discretion of the Crown, Duchy, or Duke, to any dependants of the deceased and anyone else for whom he might reasonably have been expected to provide.