Law · Legal Information · Justice
 

Bona Vacantia

Property that belongs to no person, and which may be claimed by a finder.

Property that belongs to no person and which may be claimed by a finder.

Also stated to be stray or unclaimed goods.

The common law in regards to "finders keepers, losers weepers" varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and can be tempered by statute. generally, though, a finder of a "stray" chattel left at a public place acquires title, which cedes only to a prior owner actively seeking the chattel; whereas chattel left on private property belongs to the private property owner subject again only to the prior owner actively seeking the stray and lost chattel.

Some jurisdictions have laws that suspend the finder's ownership rights until a certain period of time has passed, that the finder seek the looser, or require surrender of the property to the government during that time.

In some states, the government becomes owner of all bona vacantia property.


Are we missing anything? If you think there is a term that should be included, please send us the suggestion

  • Dictionary
  • Resources
  • LawMag

Latest LagMag headlines:

H1N1 Law - Swine Law for a Swine Flu

In a state of public health law anarchy, professional hockey players receive a killer flu vaccine while infants and pregnant women wait.

The Death of the Common Law: Expiry date, 2100

Just about now, but for the economic might of the United States of America, the last funeral bell tolls of the common law would be fading.

Gretzky Law

The recent Phoenix Coyotes debacle, in which he left behind his job, is not the only time Wayne Gretzky has had to leave from the side exit of a courtroom.


Read earlier headlines »
Subscribe to stay in touch »

Unless otherwise noted, this article was written by Lloyd Duhaime, Barrister, Solicitor, Attorney and Lawyer (and Notary Public!). It is not intended to be legal advice and you would be foolhardy to rely on it in respect to any specific situation you or an acquaintance may be facing. In addition, the law changes rapidly and sometimes with little notice so from time to time, an article may not be up to date. Therefore, this is merely legal information designed to educate the reader. If you have a real situation, this information will serve as a good springboard to get legal advice from a lawyer.

top