Can I Legally Keep Something I Found? Can I Legally Keep Money I Found?

Can I Legally Keep Something I Found? Can I Legally Keep Money I Found?

Many people are unsure whether they can legally keep something they found or money they have found on the floor.

The answer is not a simple one and relates to whether you can reasonably trace the legal owner of the money or the item that you have found.

If you keep something you have found without taking reasonable steps to find the owner, you may find yourself at risk of being accused of theft of retaining an item that you could reasonably return to the owner.

I’m a Barrister of England and Wales. The content of the series is not designed to be an alternative for formal legal advice well you need it but to give you a good overview of the law for trees and gardens.