Legal Definitions - non detinet

Definition: Non detinet is a Latin term that means "he does not detain." In legal terms, it is a pleading form of a general denial in a detinue action for the recovery of goods detained by the defendant. It denies both the detention and the plaintiff's right of possession or property in the goods claimed.

Examples:

• A person sues another person for the return of a laptop that was lent to them. The defendant denies both the detention of the laptop and the plaintiff's right to claim it. This is an example of a non detinet plea.
• In another case, a person sues their landlord for withholding their security deposit. The landlord denies both the detention of the deposit and the tenant's right to claim it. This is also an example of a non detinet plea.

These examples illustrate how a non detinet plea is used to deny both the detention of the goods and the plaintiff's right to claim them. It is a way for the defendant to defend themselves against the claim made by the plaintiff.