Question

The position of a finder of lost goods is _______.

• A. like a true owner
• B. like a bailee
• C. like a creditor
• D. like a debtor

Answer 1

The correct option is B like a bailee

According to section 71, a person who find goods belonging to another and takes them into his custody, is subject to the same responsibility as a bailee. Since the position of the finder of the goods is that of a bailee he is supposed to take the same amount of care with regard to the goods as is expected of a bailee under section 151. He is also subject to all the duties of a bailee, including a duty to return the goods after the true owner is found. If he refuses to return, he could be made liable for conversion.