Trespass to Chattel

Category: legal

The intentional interference with the plaintiff’s use or possession of their personal property.

Unlike conversion (which is the total deprivation of ownership), trespass to chattel is a lesser interference. It might involve scratching someone’s car, using their equipment without permission, or temporarily hiding their property, causing minor loss of use or value.

Common Examples

• The defendant’s decision to spray-paint the plaintiff’s truck, while not stealing it, constituted a trespass to chattel.
• Trespass to chattel typically results in damages for the loss of use or the cost of repair, rather than the full replacement value.