What does conversion involve?

Conversion is a legal term that refers to the wrongful taking or retaining of someone else's personal property without their consent. This concept is rooted in the idea that individuals have the right to control their own possessions, and any unauthorized handling or appropriation of those possessions constitutes an infringement upon their rights.

In the context of conversion, it is important to highlight that the act can involve either physically taking the property away or simply retaining it after the owner has requested its return. For example, if someone borrows a book and refuses to return it, that could be seen as conversion, despite the initial lawful possession of the book.

Understanding conversion is essential in the realm of property law, as it defines the boundary between lawful and unlawful handling of property. Each of the other options touches on aspects related to property but does not capture the specific legal violation that conversion addresses. This distinction highlights the necessity of consent in property rights and the legal repercussions of disregarding those rights.