§ 1268.310.Dates From Which Interest Computed

Interest exists in eminent domain law to compensate a property owner for the time between losing use of the property and getting paid for it, so this section pins down exactly when that clock starts. It picks whichever of three dates comes earliest.

The first candidate is the date judgment is entered. The second is the date the agency takes possession of the property -- which matters because an agency sometimes takes possession before trial, under the earlier pre-judgment procedures. The third is the date stated in a possession order as the date after which the agency is authorized to take possession, even if actual physical possession happens somewhat later. Whichever of these three dates arrives first starts interest running, computed using the rate method in § 1268.350.