First in time

{
  "id": "MLC-T-LAW-005350",
  "term": "First in time",
  "field": "Law",
  "definition": "A priority rule under which, among competing claims to the same property, the claim created first generally prevails over those created later. Recording acts modify it in most states: under a race statute the first to record wins, while a notice statute protects a later buyer who paid value without notice of the earlier interest. The same phrase governs lien priority and the allocation of water rights under prior appropriation.",
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/law/first-in-time/"
}