What is CONVERSION? Definition of CONVERSION in Black's Law Dictionary - Legal dictionary - Glossary of legal terms.
Equity. The exchange of property from real to personal or from personal to real, which takes place under some circumstances in the consideration of the law, such as, to give effect to directions in a will or settlement, or to stipulations in a contract, although no such change has actually taken place, 1 Bro.C.C. 497;
1 Lead.Cas.Eq. 619; 1 Lead. Cas.Eq. 872; Lawrence v. Elliott, 3 Redf.Sur. (N.Y.) 235; Dodge v. Williams, 46 Wis. 70, 1 N.W. 92, 50 N.W. 1108; Mattison v. Stone, 99 S.C. 151, 82 S.E. 1046, 1047; and by which exchange the property so dealt with becomes invested with the properties and attributes of that into which it is supposed to have been converted; Seymour v. Freer, 8 Wall. 214, 19 L.Ed. 306; Haward v. Peavey, 128 Ill. 430, 21 N.E. 503, 15 Am.St.Rep. 120.
Although it is sometimes necessary for certain purposes of devolution and transfer to regard the property in its changed condition as though the change has not absolutely taken place; Davidson v. Bright, 267 Pa. 580, 110 A. 301, 302.
A qualified conversion is one directed for some particular purpose; Harker v. Reilly, 4 Del.Ch. 72.
Law
An unauthorized assumption and exercise of the right of ownership over goods or personal chattels belonging to another, to the alteration of their condition or the exclusion of the owner's rights. Stickney v. Munroe, 44 Me. 197; Baldwin v. Cole, 6 Mod. 212; In re Di Crocco's Estate, 12 N. Y.S.2d 276, 278, 170 Misc. 826; Powell v. A. K. Brown Motor Co., 20 S.E.2d 636, 637, 200 S.C. 75. Any unauthorized act which deprives an owner of his property permanently or for an indefinite time. Forbush v. San Diego Fruit & 'Produce Co., 46 Idaho, 231, 266 P. 659, 663.
Also one who aids and abets another in keeping property from its rightful owner is guilty of "conversion". Edwards v. Max Thieme Chevrolet Co., La.App., 191 So. 569, 571, 572.
Constructive conversion. An implied or virtual conversion, which takes place where a person does such acts in reference to the goods of another as amount in law to the appropriation of the property to himself. Scruggs v. Scruggs, C.C. Mo., 105 F. 28; Laverty v. Snethen, 68 N.Y. 524, 23 Am.Rep. 184; Wade v. Ray, 67 Okl. 39, 168 P. 447, 449, L.R.A.1918B, 796.
Direct conversion. The act of actually appropriating the property of another to his own beneficial use and enjoyment, or to that of a third person, or destroying it, or altering its nature. Ross v. Lewis, 23 N.M. 524, 169 P. 468, 469; or wrongfully assuming title in himself; Cass v. Ocean Park Bath Co., 45 Cal.App. 656, 188 P. 616, 617; there must be a positive wrong or act of malfeasance; American Surety Co. of New York v. Hill County, Tex.Civ.App., 254 S.W. 241, 245.
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That's the definition of CONVERSION in Black's Law Dictionary - Legal dictionary - Glossary of legal terms. Courtesy of Cekhukum.com.
