Bridges v. Hawkesworth
Court of Queen's Bench
21 L.J.Q.B. 75 (1851)
Relevant factsFree
Bridges (plaintiff) found a package of bank notes on the floor of Hawkesworth's (defendant) shop, and gave it to Hawkesworth to hold in case the true owner appeared; three years passed with no claimant. When Bridges asked for the notes back, Hawkesworth refused, and Bridges sued to claim ownership; the lower court ruled for Hawkesworth, and Bridges appealed.
IssueFree
Whether ownership of a lost item found on premises open to the public vests in the finder rather than the owner of the real property where it was found.