In the context of adverse possession, what does 'notorious' mean?

In the context of adverse possession, 'notorious' refers to the requirement that the possession of the property must be visible and well-known to others. This means that the use of the property cannot be hidden or conducted in secrecy; rather, it should be apparent to the public and the true owner that someone else is using or occupying the property. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that the original property owner has the opportunity to acknowledge the adverse claim and take action if they desire to contest it.

A clear demonstration of notorious possession helps establish the claimant's right to claim ownership after a certain period, as it bellies the notion that the possessor is trying to discreetly take advantage of the property's owner. This visibility and public knowledge make it less likely for the possessor to have been using the property without the owner's awareness or consent, which aligns with the principles of creating a fair and just legal acknowledgment of ownership rights.