11. Interference with Chattels

Abstract

This chapter discusses trespass to goods, conversion, and negligence. The present law of trespass to chattels is governed by the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977, which introduces a collective term ‘wrongful interference with goods’ to cover trespass, conversion, negligence, and any other tort resulting in damage to goods or to an interest in goods. The Act abolishes the tort of detinue, but otherwise has little or no impact on the principles of liability developed by the common law: thus, the nomenclature and substantive scope of the common law claims remain significant to this day in understanding the legal rules in this area.