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Simple English definitions for legal terms
bailee
Read a random definition: Uniform Health-Care Decision Act
A quick definition of bailee:
A bailee is someone who takes care of someone else's property for a specific reason, like keeping it safe or fixing it. They don't own the property and have to give it back when they're done. They have to be careful with the property and can get in trouble if they're not careful enough.
A more thorough explanation:
A bailee is a person who receives property from the owner, known as a bailor, and holds the property for the owner for a particular purpose such as custody or repair. The bailee does not become the owner of the property and must return it when the contract has been fulfilled.
Examples of bailees include:
- Storage companies that hold people's belongings
- Dry cleaners holding someone's clothing
- Mechanics holding someone's car for repair
The bailee is responsible for taking care of the property while it is in their possession and must practice ordinary diligence. If the bailee is grossly negligent, they can be held responsible for any damage or loss that occurs to the property.
For example, if a storage company fails to properly secure someone's belongings and they are stolen, the storage company could be held responsible for the loss. Similarly, if a mechanic damages someone's car while it is in their possession, they could be held responsible for the cost of repairs.