— Also termed ancient-windows doctrine. [Cases: Easements 11. C.J.S. Easements § 51.]
“[A] notice ‘Ancient Lights,’ which is often seen affixed to the wall of a building, only denotes a claim by or on behalf of the owner that he has acquired, by prescription or otherwise, a right to a reasonable amount of light, free from interruption, over adjoining land; but it must not be supposed that such a notice is necessary in order to protect a legal right.” 2 Stephen’s Commentaries on the Laws of England 347 (Crispin Warmington ed., 21st ed. 1950).
“Under the English doctrine of ancient lights, which has been soundly repudiated in this country, if a landowner had received sunlight across adjoining property for a specified period of time, the landowner was entitled to continue to receive unobstructed access to sunlight across the adjoining property; the landowner acquired a negative prescriptive easement and could prevent the adjoining landowner from obstructing access to light.” 1 Am. Jur. 2d Adjoining Landowners § 90, at 889 (1994).
