Alien in United Kingdom

Definition of Alien

In accordance with the work A Dictionary of Law, this is a description of Alien :

A person who, under the law of a particular state, is not a citizen of that state. Aliens are usually classified as resident aliens (domiciled in the host country) or transient aliens (temporarily in the host country on business, study, etc.). They are normally subject to certain civil disabilities, such as being ineligible to vote. For the purposes of UK statute law an alien is defined by the British Nationality Act 1981 (in force from 1 January 1983) as a person who is neither a Commonwealth citizen, nor a British protected person, nor a citizen of the Republic of Ireland. At common law, a distinction is drawn between friendly and enemy aliens. The latter comprise not only citizens of hostile states but also all others voluntarily living in enemy territory or carrying on business there; they are subject to additional disabilities.

See also allegiance; due diligence; jus sanguinis.

Concept of Alien

The following is an old definition of Alien [1], a term which has several meanings:1, (noun) One born in a strange country under obedience to a strange prince, or out of the liegeance of the king. One born out of the king’s dominion or allegiance. A citizen or subject of a foreign state. In California a ” non-resident alien ” who may take by succession is one who is neither a citizen of the United States nor a resident of that State.

Resources

Notes and References

1. Meaning of Alien provided by the Anderson Dictionary of Law (1889) (Dictionary of Law consisting of Judicial Definitions and Explanations of Words, Phrases and Maxims and an Exposition of the Principles of Law: Comprising a Dictionary and Compendium of American and English Jurisprudence; William C. Anderson; T. H. Flood and Company, Law Publishers, Chicago, United States)