Lien Law

A lien  is a form of security interest granted over an item of property to secure the payment of a debt or performance of some other obligation.

The term lien refers to a very specific type of security interest, being a passive right to retain (but not sell) property until the debt or other obligation is discharged. In contrast to the usage of the term in the US, in other countries it refers to a purely possessory form of security interest; indeed, when possession of the property is lost, the lien is released.