Georgia § 51-3-3 - Lawful possessor of land owes no duty of care to trespasser.

Full text of Georgia Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 51-3-3 — Lawful possessor of land owes no duty of care to trespasser., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 51-3-3. Lawful possessor of land owes no duty of care to trespasser.

As used in this Code section, the term "possessor of land" means the landowner, occupant of the land, holder of any easement to the land, or lessee of the land. A lawful possessor of land owes no duty of care to a trespasser except to refrain from causing a willful or wanton injury. Georgia common law as it exists and is applied to the doctrine of attractive nuisance, in effect as of January 1, 2014, shall not be construed to be altered by this Code section. This Code section shall not affect any immunities from or defenses to civil liability to which a lawful possessor of land may be entitled. (Code 1981, § 51-3-3 , enacted by Ga. L. 2014, p. 351, § 2/SB 125.) Editor's notes. - Ga. L. 2014, p. 351, § 1/SB 125, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: "It is the intent of the General Assembly to codify and preserve Georgia common law regarding the duties owed by possessors of land to trespassers as of January 1, 2014. The General Assembly finds that the provisions of the American Law Institute's Restatement of the Law Third, Torts: Liability for Physical and Emotional Harm, §§ 50-52 (2012), which seek to impose broad new duties on those who own, occupy, or control premises, including the duty to exercise reasonable care to all trespassers, do not reflect the public policy of the State of Georgia. It is also the intent of the General Assembly to preserve the attractive nuisance doctrine and Georgia common law as it relates to the attractive nuisance doctrine." Law reviews. - For annual survey on real property, see 66 Mercer L. Rev. 151 (2014). For annual survey on trial practice and procedure, see 66 Mercer L. Rev. 211 (2014). For article on the 2014 enactment of this Code section, see 31 Ga. St. U.L. 217 (2014).

Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia § 51-3-3

What does Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 51-3-3 cover?

Section 51-3-3 ("Lawful possessor of land owes no duty of care to trespasser.") is part of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the codified statutory law of Georgia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Georgia § 51-3-3?

A common citation format is "Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 51-3-3" (Georgia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Georgia law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Georgia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Georgia attorney.

How does Georgia § 51-3-3 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Georgia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Georgia.