reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 416 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 19 - Condemnation of Property; Eminent Domain|§ 416. Condemnation actions; jurisdiction and procedure

 (a) All actions for condemnation of property under this chapter shall be brought in the district court. (b) Except as provided in this chapter, the procedure in such actions is governed by Rule 71A of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 417 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 19 - Condemnation of Property; Eminent Domain|§ 417. Determination of right to condemn and other issues

 The court has power to— (1) regulate and determine the place and manner of making the connections and crossings and enjoying the common uses mentioned in subdivision (5) of section 413 of this title; (2) determine whether or not the use for which the property is sought to be appropriated is a public use within the meaning of the applicable laws; (3) limit the amount of property sought to be appropriated, if in the opinion of the court the quantity sought to be appropriated is not necessary; and (4) determine all issues other than the amount of just compensation.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 418 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 19 - Condemnation of Property; Eminent Domain|§ 418. Just compensation; appointment of commission; powers, proceedings; court action

 (a) If the court is satisfied that the public interests require the taking of the property, it shall make an order appointing a commission of three competent persons resident in the Virgin Islands to determine the issue of just compensation, and fixing their compensation, if— (1) any party files a demand for trial by commission within the time allowed for answer or within such further time as the court may fix; or (2) the court determines in its discretion that, because of the character, location, or quantity of the property to be condemned, or for other reasons in the interest of justice, the issue of just compensation should be determined by a commission. (b) If a commission is not appointed under subsection (a) of this section, the issue of just compensation shall be tried by the court. (c) Before entering upon their duties, the commissioners shall severally take and subscribe an oath to discharge their duties faithfully and impartially. (d) The commission shall have the powers of a master provided in subdivision (c) of Rule 53 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and proceedings before it shall be governed by the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (d) of such Rule 53. Its action and report shall be determined by a majority and its findings and report shall have the effect, and be dealt with by the court in accordance with the practice, prescribed in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Rule 53.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 419 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 19 - Condemnation of Property; Eminent Domain|§ 419. Rules for determination of just compensation

 The following rules shall be followed in the determination and assessment of just compensation: (1) The value of the property sought to be appropriated and all improvements thereon, pertaining to the realty and each and every separate estate and interest therein shall be assessed. If it consists of different parcels, the value of each parcel and each estate or interest therein shall be separately assessed. (2) If the property sought to be appropriated constitutes only a part of a larger parcel, the damages which will accrue to the portion not sought to be condemned by reason of its severance from the portion sought to be condemned, and the construction of the improvements in the manner proposed by the plaintiff, shall be assessed. (3) There shall be determined, separately, how much of the portion not sought to be condemned, and each estate or interest therein will be benefited, if at all, by the construction of the improvements proposed by the plaintiff. If the benefit is equal to the damages assessed under subdivision (2) of this section the owner of the parcel shall be allowed no compensation except the value of the portion taken. If the benefits are less than the damages assessed the former shall be deducted from the latter, and the remainder shall be the only damages allowed in addition to the value. (4) If the property sought to be condemned is for a railroad, the cost of good and sufficient fences along the line of such railroad, and the cost of cattle guards where fences may cross the line of such railroad shall be assessed. (5) As far as practicable compensation shall be assessed for each source of damage separately. (6) For the purpose of assessing compensation and damages, the right thereto shall be deemed to have accrued at the date of the notice, and its actual value at that date shall be the measure of compensation of all property to be actually taken, and the basis of damages to property not actually taken but injuriously affected. If an order be made letting the plaintiff into possession as provided in section 420 of this title, the compensation and damages awarded shall draw lawful interest from the date of such order. No improvements put upon the property subsequent to the date of the service of notice shall be included in the assessment of compensation or damages.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 420 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 19 - Condemnation of Property; Eminent Domain|§ 420. Possession before final judgment; deposit

 At any time after the report and assessment of damages of the commissioners has been made and filed in the court, and either before or after the hearing of objections to or appeal from the assessment or from any other order or judgment in the proceedings, the court at chambers, upon application of the plaintiff, may make an order that upon payment into court for the defendant entitled thereto of the amount of damages assessed, either by the commissioners or by the court as the case may be, the plaintiff be authorized, if already in possession of the property of such defendant sought to be appropriated, to continue in such possession; or, if not in possession, that the plaintiff be authorized to take possession, of such property and use and possess the same during the pendency and until the final conclusion of the proceedings and litigation; and that all actions and proceedings against the plaintiff on account thereof be stayed until such time. Where objections are filed or an appeal is taken by the defendant, the court may, in its discretion, require the plaintiff, before continuing or taking such possession, in addition to paying into court the amount of damages assessed, to give a bond or undertaking, with sufficient sureties, to be approved by the court, and to be in such sum as the court may direct, conditioned to pay the defendant any additional damages and costs over and above the amount assessed, which it may finally be determined that defendant is entitled to for the appropriation of the property, and all damages which defendant may sustain if for any cause such property is not finally taken for public use. The amount assessed as damages by the commissioners or by the court, as the case may be, shall be taken and considered, for the purposes of this section, until reassessed or changed in the further proceedings, as just compensation for the property appropriated. The plaintiff, by payment into court of the amount assessed or by giving security, shall not be thereby prevented or precluded from objecting to or appealing from such assessment, but may file objections or appeal in the same manner and with the same effect as if no money had been deposited or security given. Subdivision (j) of Rule 71A of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply to a deposit under this section. A defendant who receives payments from the deposit under such Rule is not thereby precluded from filing objections to or appealing from the assessment.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 422 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 19 - Condemnation of Property; Eminent Domain|§ 422. Payment of amount awarded in excess of deposit; interest; effect of judgment on appeal on recovery of interest; appropriations

 (a) In any judgment rendered in a condemnation proceeding instituted under the provisions of this chapter by the Government of the United States Virgin Islands directly or on its behalf by any department, agency, bureau or instrumentality of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands, or any officer thereof, in which the amount determined by the court as just compensation for the property or rights therein taken is greater than the amount deposited by the condemning entity in the court as just compensation for such property or rights therein, the Government of the United States Virgin Islands shall pay the amount of the difference between the sum thus deposited by the condemning entity and the sum that has been determined by the court as just compensation for said property or the rights therein, with interest at the rate of six per centum per annum on such difference, to be computed from the date of the acquisition of such property or rights therein up to the date of the payment of such difference; Provided, That in such cases in which an owner or owners appeals from the judgment fixing the compensation, and upon said appeal the judgment is affirmed, or the compensation awarded reduced, the appellant shall not recover interest for the period of time comprised between the date of the filing of the appeal and until the judgment of the appellate court is final and unappealable. (b) As soon as the judgment referred to in subsection (a) of this section is final and unappealable, the Commissioner of Finance of the Virgin Islands shall pay to the owner or owners involved the amount of the difference specified in said subsection (a), with interest thereon, as therein specified, out of any funds in the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands not otherwise appropriated. (c) The necessary sums to carry out the provisions of this section are hereby appropriated out of any funds in the General Fund of the Treasury of the Virgin Islands not otherwise appropriated, unless otherwise provided for by law.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 430 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 20 - Real Property Acquisition|§ 430. Short title

 This chapter may be referred to as the Real Property Acquisition Act of 1972.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 431 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 20 - Real Property Acquisition|§ 431. Declaration of policy

 The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to the acquisition of real property under the laws of the Virgin Islands for use in any project or program in which Federal, or Territorial funds are used.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 432 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 20 - Real Property Acquisition|§ 432. Expenses incidental to transfer of title

 Any person, agency or other entity acquiring real property for such use shall as soon as practicable after the date of payment of the purchase price or the date of deposit into court of funds to satisfy the award of compensation in a condemnation proceeding to acquire real property, whichever is the earlier, reimburse the owner, for expenses necessarily incurred for (a) recording fees, transfer taxes and similar expenses incidental to conveying such real property; (b) penalty costs for prepayment for any preexisting recorded mortgage entered into in good faith encumbering such real property; and (c) the pro rata portion of real property taxes paid which are allocable to a period subsequent to the date of vesting title, or the effective date of possession of such real property by the Territory, whichever is the earlier.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 433 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 20 - Real Property Acquisition|§ 433. Litigation expenses

 Where a condemnation proceeding is instituted to acquire real property for such use and (i) the final judgment is that the real property cannot be acquired by condemnation or (ii) the proceeding is abandoned, the owner of any right, title or interest in such real property shall be paid such sum as will reimburse such owner for reasonable attorney, appraisal and engineering fees, actually incurred because of the condemnation proceedings. The award of such sums will be paid by the person, agency or other entity which sought to condemn the property.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 434 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 20 - Real Property Acquisition|§ 434. Inverse condemnation proceedings

 Where an inverse condemnation proceeding is instituted by the owner of any right, title or interest in real property because of use of his property in any program or project in which Federal and/or Federal-aid funds are used, the court, rendering a judgment for the plaintiff in such proceeding and awarding compensation for the taking of property, or the Attorney General affecting a settlement of any such proceeding, shall determine and award or allow to such plaintiff, as a part of such judgment or settlement, such sums as will reimburse such plaintiff for his reasonable costs, disbursements and expenses, including reasonable attorney, appraisal and engineering fees, actually incurred because of such proceeding.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 436 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 20 - Real Property Acquisition|§ 436. Buildings, structures and improvements

 (a) Where any interest in real property is acquired, an equal interest in all buildings, structures, or other improvements located thereon shall be acquired if such improvements must be removed or the value thereof is adversely affected by the use for which such real property is being acquired. (b) For the purpose of determining the just compensation to be paid for any building, structure or other improvement required to be acquired as above set forth, such building, structure or other improvement shall be deemed to be a part of the real property to be acquired notwithstanding the right or obligation of a tenant, as against the owner of any other interest in the real property, to remove such building, or improvement at the expiration of his term, and the fair market value which such building, structure or improvement contributes to the fair market value of such building, structure or improvement or the cost of removal thereof, whichever is the greater, shall be paid to the tenant therefor. (c) Payment for such buildings, structures or improvements as set forth above shall not result in duplication of any payments otherwise authorized by law. No such payment shall be made unless the owner of the land involved disclaims all interest in the improvements of the tenant. In consideration for any such payment, the tenant shall assign, transfer and release all his right, title and interest in and to such improvements. Nothing with regard to the above-mentioned acquisition of buildings, structures or other improvements shall be construed to deprive the tenant of any rights to reject payment and to obtain payment for such property interests in accordance with other laws of the Virgin Islands.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 451 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 451. Right to maintain action for partition

 When several persons hold and are in possession of real property as tenants in common, in which one or more of them have an estate of inheritance, or for life or years, or when several persons hold as tenants in common a vested remainder or reversion in any real property, any one or more of them may maintain an action of an equitable nature for the partition of such real property according to the respective rights of the persons interested therein, and for a sale of such property, or a part of it, if it appears that a partition cannot be had without great prejudice to the owners.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 452 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 452. Allegations of complaint; interests of parties

 The interest of all persons in the property, whether such persons are known or unknown, shall be set forth in the complaint, specifically and particularly, as far as known to the plaintiff. If one or more of the parties, or the share or quantity of interest of any of the parties, is unknown to the plaintiff, or are uncertain or contingent, or the ownership of the inheritance depends upon an executory devise, or the remainder is a contingent remainder, so that such parties cannot be named, that fact shall be set forth in the complaint.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 453 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 453. Lien creditors as parties; effects of partition on lien

 The plaintiff shall make creditors having liens upon the property or any portion thereof, defendants in the action. When the lien is upon an undivided interest or estate of any of the parties, if a partition is made, such lien is thenceforth a lien only upon the share assigned to such party, but such share shall be first charged with its just proportion of the costs of the partition, in preference to such lien.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 454 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 454. Form of summons

 The summons shall be directed by name to all the tenants in common who are known, and in the same manner to all lien creditors who are made parties to the action, and generally to all persons unknown, having or claiming an interest or estate in the property.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 455 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 455. Service of summons by publication

 If a party having a share or interest in or lien upon the property is unknown, or any of the known parties resides out of the Virgin Islands or cannot be found therein, and such fact is made to appear by affidavit, the summons may be served upon such absent or unknown party by publication, directed by the court, as in ordinary cases. When service of the summons is made by publication, it shall be accompanied by a brief description of the property which is the subject of the action.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 456 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 456. Answer

 The defendant shall set forth in his answer the nature and extent of his interest in the property, and if he is a lien creditor, how such lien was created, the amount of the debt secured thereby, and remaining due, and whether such debt is secured in any other way, and if so, the nature of such other security.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 457 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 457. Determination of rights and title

 The rights of the several parties, plaintiffs as well as defendants, may be put in issue, tried, and determined in a partition action. Where a defendant fails to answer, or where a sale of the property is necessary, the title shall be ascertained by proof to the satisfaction of the court before the judgment for partition or sale is given.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 458 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 458. Order of sale or partition; appointment of referees

 If it is alleged in the complaint and established by evidence, or if it appears by the evidence, without such allegation in the complaint, to the satisfaction of the court, that the property, or any part of it, is so situated that partition cannot be made without great prejudice to the owners, the court may order a sale thereof, and for that purpose may appoint one or more referees. Otherwise, upon the requisite proofs being made, the court shall adjudge a partition according to the respective rights of the parties, as ascertained by the court, and appoint three referees therefor. The court shall designate the portion to remain undivided for the owners whose interests remain unknown or not ascertained.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 459 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 459. Proceedings and report by referees

 In making the partition the referees shall divide the property and allot the several portions thereof to the respective parties, quality and quantity relatively considered, according to the respective rights of the parties as determined by the court, designating the several portions by proper landmarks, and may employ a surveyor with the necessary assistants to aid them therein. The referees shall make a report of their proceedings specifying therein the manner of executing their trust, describing the property divided and the shares allotted to each party, with a particular description of each share.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 460 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 460. Court action on report; conclusiveness of judgment

 The court may confirm or set aside the report in whole or in part and if necessary appoint new referees. Upon the report being confirmed, a judgment shall be given that such partition be effectual forever, which judgment shall be binding and conclusive— (1) on all parties named therein, and their legal representatives, who have at the time any interest in the property divided, or any part thereof, as owners in fee, or as tenants for life or for years, or as entitled to the reversion, remainder or inheritance of such property, or any part thereof after the termination of a particular estate therein, or who by any contingency may be entitled to a beneficial interest in the property, or who have an interest in any undivided share thereof as tenants for years or for life; (2) on all persons interested in the property who may be unknown, to whom notice of the application for partition has been given by publication, as directed by section 455 of this title; and (3) on all other persons claiming from such parties or persons, or any of them.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 461 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 461. Persons not concluded by judgment

 A judgment and partition under section 460 of this title shall not affect any tenants for years or for life of the whole of the property which is the subject of partition; nor shall such judgment or partition preclude any person, except such as are specified in section 460 of this title, from claiming title to the property in question, or from controverting the title of the parties between whom the partition has been made.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 462 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 462. Referees' expenses and fees

 The expenses of the referees, including those of a surveyor and his assistants, when employed, shall be ascertained and allowed by the court, and the amount thereof, together with the fees allowed by law to the referees, shall be paid by the plaintiff, and may be allowed as part of the charges.
V.I. Code tit. 28, § 463 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 28 - Property|Chapter 21 - Actions for Partition of Real Property|§ 463. Order of sale upon referees' report

 If the referees' report to the court that the property of which partition has been adjudged, or any separate portion thereof, is so situated that a partition thereof cannot be made without great prejudice to the owners and the court is satisfied that such report is correct, it may thereupon, by an order, direct the referees to sell the property or separate portion thereof so situated.