• Alien is a right conferred upon a person by trade usage or custom or by the law in certain circumstances, as a security for the fulfillment of an obligation owed by another or others.
A lien may be possessory, equitable or maritime.
o Possessory lien: this is the right of person in possession of a nothers goods to retain them to compel the owner to fulfill an obligation owning. It may be particular or general and is dependent on possession which must be lawful and continuous. It is a self-help remedy.
o Equitable lien: this is the right of a person to have certain property applied in a particular manner. It is independent of possession and is enforceable by court action.
o Maritime lien: this is the right to have a ship or its cargo sold and the proceeds applied in a particular manner. It is independent of possession and is enforceable by court action.