21-14-1      Remedies available for recovery of property--Civil action to recover possession--Title and possessory actions combined.
21-14-2      Order to permit entry for surveys in action involving real property--Liability for unnecessary injury to property.
21-14-3      Action to recover real property not prejudiced by alienation.
21-14-4      Plaintiff's right to recover real property terminated while action pending--Damages for withholding.
21-14-5      Compensation for improvements to real property made by defendant claiming in good faith.
21-14-6      Determination of title, removal of clouds and commissioner's conveyance on absence or refusal of defendant to convey real property.

21-14-1. Remedies available for recovery of property--Civil action to recover possession--Title and possessory actions combined.

A person entitled to specific real or personal property by reason of a perfected title or a claim of title which ought to be perfected, may recover the same by any of the remedies provided by law and if no specific remedy is applicable, by a civil action according to the facts, and in such cases the judgment may provide for delivery of the possession by specifically commanding the person so to do, or by execution directing the proper peace officer to deliver such possession. Title may be perfected and possession ordered in the same action.

Source: CivC 1877, §§ 1991 to 1993; CL 1887, §§ 4624 to 4626; RCivC 1903, §§ 2336 to 2338; RC 1919, §§ 2007 to 2009; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 37.3701.

21-14-2. Order to permit entry for surveys in action involving real property--Liability for unnecessary injury to property.

The court in which an action is pending for the recovery of real property or for damages for an injury thereto, or a judge thereof, may, on motion, upon notice by either party, for good cause shown, grant an order allowing to such party the right to enter upon the property, and make survey and measurement thereof, and of any tunnels, shafts, or drifts thereon, for the purpose of the action, even though entry for such purpose has to be made through other lands belonging to parties to the action. The order must describe the property and a copy thereof must be served on the owner or occupant; and thereupon such party may enter upon the property, with necessary surveyors and assistants, and make such survey and measurements; but if any unnecessary injury be done to the property he is liable therefor.

Source: CCivP 1877, §§ 645, 646; CL 1887, §§ 5459, 5460; RCCivP 1903, §§ 685, 686; RC 1919, §§ 2861, 2862; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 37.1520.

21-14-3. Action to recover real property not prejudiced by alienation.

An action for the recovery of real property against a person in possession cannot be prejudiced by any alienation made by such person, either before or after the commencement of the action.

Source: CCivP 1877, § 648; CL 1887, § 5462; RCCivP 1903, § 688; RC 1919, § 2864; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 37.1510.

21-14-4. Plaintiff's right to recover real property terminated while action pending--Damages for withholding.

In an action for the recovery of real property, where the plaintiff shows a right to recovery at the time the action was commenced, but it appears that his right has terminated during the pendency of the action, the verdict and judgment must be according to the fact, and the plaintiff may recover damages for withholding the property.

Source: CCivP 1877, § 640; CL 1887, § 5454; RCCivP 1903, § 680; RC 1919, § 2856; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 37.1515.

21-14-5. Compensation for improvements to real property made by defendant claiming in good faith.

In an action for the recovery of real property, upon which permanent improvements have been made by a defendant or intervener, or those under whom he claims, holding under color of title adversely to claim of plaintiff, or another defendant or intervener, in good faith, the value of such improvements must be allowed as a counterclaim by such defendant or intervener.

Source: CCivP 1877, § 641; CL 1887, § 5455; RCCivP 1903, § 681; RC 1919, § 2857; SDC 1939, § 37.1516; SL 1949, ch 140, § 1.

21-14-6. Determination of title, removal of clouds and commissioner's conveyance on absence or refusal of defendant to convey real property.

In all actions arising under chapter 21-41, in actions brought for the satisfaction of record of mortgages and other liens upon real property, and in actions for the specific performance of contracts relating to real property, whenever the defendant is not found within the jurisdiction of the court and service of summons therein is made by publication or personally without the state, or whenever any defendant refuses or neglects to make a conveyance or cancel an encumbrance pursuant to the judgment of the court, the court may, by its judgment, determine and establish the title to the property, remove all clouds therefrom, or appoint a commissioner to convey the property on behalf of such defendant.

Source: SL 1889, ch 111; RCCivP 1903, § 691; RC 1919, § 2871; SDC 1939 & Supp 1960, § 37.1509.