What term refers to the unauthorized use of government power to deprive an owner of property without legal conformity?

The term that refers to the unauthorized use of government power to deprive an owner of property without legal conformity is appropriation. Appropriation typically involves taking or seizing property or rights without the proper legal authorization or process that is typically required for such actions. In the context of property rights, it highlights the violation of legal norms and the potential for governmental overreach.

In contrast, condemnation is a formal legal procedure where the government takes private property for public use, adhering to legal protocols, including fair compensation to the owner. Eminent domain is closely related to condemnation, as it refers to the government's right to take private property for public use, but it is carried out lawfully and follows the appropriate procedures laid out by law. Forfeiture usually pertains to the loss of property as a result of illegal activity, and does not directly relate to the government exercising unauthorized power against an owner.

Therefore, the distinction lies in the lawful versus unlawful exercise of governmental authority, which is central to the understanding of appropriation.