The Ownership of the Hidden Safe and Rights and Liabilities of Parties Free Essay Example, 4500 words

In English law a title to a piece of tangible property, whether goods or land, may be less than perfect. Our law respects possession so that a person who acquires possession acquires a title which may be defended against all but a person who can prove a better title (i. a prior and continuing right to possession). This is elementary law and based on substantial authority, 8 but its continuing force and validity are illustrated by the modern case of Parker v. British Airways Board. 9 The plaintiff, Parker, found a gold bracelet on the floor of the executive lounge at Heathrow Airport, which was operated by the defendant Board. Parker was lawfully present in that lounge. He handed the bracelet to an employee of the Board and asked that it be returned to him if the true owner was not found. Instead, the Board sold the bracelet for 850. In these proceedings, Parker claimed that, by finding the bracelet, he had acquired a title to it which was superior to the Boards; by selling the brac elet the Board had therefore committed the tort of conversion against Parker and the Board was, therefore, liable to compensate him in damages amounting to 850 plus interest. We will write a custom essay sample on The Ownership of the Hidden Safe and Rights and Liabilities of Parties or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page