Legal Definitions - Trespass to Chattels

Definition: Trespass to chattels is a legal term that refers to an intentional act by a person that interferes with the personal property of another person. This interference can be physical or non-physical, and it can cause harm or damage to the property.

Examples:

• John intentionally takes Mary's laptop without her permission and uses it for his own purposes.
• Samantha hacks into Tom's computer and deletes important files.
• Mike borrows his neighbor's lawnmower without asking and damages it while using it.

These examples illustrate how a person can intentionally interfere with another person's personal property. In each case, the defendant (John, Samantha, and Mike) intentionally took or used the plaintiff's (Mary, Tom, and the neighbor) property without permission, causing harm or damage to the property. This interference is considered a tort, which is a civil wrong that can result in legal action and compensation for the plaintiff.