A
deed (anciently an
evidence) is any
legal instrument in writing which passes, affirms or confirms an
interest,
right, or
property and that is signed, attested, delivered, and in some
jurisdictions
sealed. It is commonly associated with transferring
title to property. The deed has a greater
presumption of validity and is less rebuttable than an instrument signed by the party to the deed. A deed can be unilateral or bilateral. Deeds include
conveyances,
commissions,
licenses,
patents,
diplomas, and conditionally
powers of attorney if executed as deeds. The deed is the modern descendant of the medieval
charter, and delivery is thought to symbolically replace the ancient ceremony of
livery of seisin.