Skip to Content

Finders Keepers | Finders Law

Ever since the phrase came into being in the early nineteenth century, documented as no halfers-findee, lossee seekee, which sounds more like something from a comedy sketch than something that has probably been said by most of us, but what does it mean? Has it got any foundation in law today?

My earliest recollection of the phrase was when used by my friend Gary to claim ownership of my Kevin Keegan England football card, very rare, it did seem a bit unfair that he kept it because he could chant the silly phrase repeatedly and to this day I have not forgiven him, but was he in the right and 30 years on, is it now to late to get it back, I suspect so.

But what does it mean, to most, finding £1 coin in the street picking it up and popping it in your pocket is fine and exactly what the keepers rule is for, what if it was £500 or a purse with some ID in it, does that change anything, a lot of people would say the chant is the law and that's that, it didn't help a recent couple who claimed £30,000 on the lottery from a ticket they found, it was proven in court that they did not purchase the ticket and were given an 11 month suspended sentence, in summing up it was said, that 'finders keepers, losers weepers' is not true .

So has this phrase only come about because of frequency of use, convenience, may be because it rhymes or does it have some roots in common law?

In some ways it alleviated guilt, if you found £20 in the street most people will pop it in their pocket, as they have no easy way of finding out who lost it, but if that £20 was in a wallet people are more likely to hand it in to the police, so most people make a decision based on ownership.

So what it the Legal standing on this? It does all come down to who are the true owners, whilst an item may not be in the owners possession, they do still have ownership of it, so the finder must take 'reasonable steps' to fine the true owners.

Where the items were found, will decide where they need to be reported, if in doubt contact the police, the most common are finding something in the street or a public area which you report to the police, except on a beach where you must report it to the coastguard's receiver of wrecks and if you dig some think up you must advise the coroner.

So if you find the £20 in the street you must advise the police, otherwise you will be guilty of theft, but your bounty as a finder may not be lost, if you have taken the correct steps to reunite the lost item with its owner, and they never claim it, it's yours, you have more right over ownership than anyone else except the true owner.

If you have a question about ownership we would recommend that you contact a firm of solicitors for Legal advice.

Image Description
related news
recent articles
Double Jeopardy Law

What is Double Jeopardy? and is it still Law in the UK?..

link

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' laws to defeat knife crime...

Motoring Offences | Drink Driving.

Motoring Offences - Drink Driving.
If you have been stopped for drink driving it is important that you obtain legal advice as soon as possible and, to assist y..

Wilful Neglect.

Social workers could face up to five years in jail should they prove guilty of wilful neglect towards children, if consultation decides to extend the law to inc..

What is a Section 60 notice?

Over 2000 section 60 notices have been issued in London last year..

link

Stalking and Harassment.

Recent report uncovers failings by the police and prosecution service...

Clare`s Law - Domestic Violence.

The domestic violence disclosure scheme named after domestic violence victim Clare Wood has been brought in throughout England and Wales. If you feel you could ..

Computer & IT Law

Computer and IT Law.
Computer Law is concerned with controlling and securing information stored on and transmitted between computers. Computer networks contain..

Stop and Search Laws to be changed?

Police Chiefs are calling for a change in the 'stop and search' l..

link

Bail

What is Bail in the UK - If you have been charged with a crime you can be released on bail from the police station, which means you will be able to go home but ..

Speeding motoring offences

Speeding motoring offences
Over 100,000 motorists are caught speeding each year, many have attended speed awareness courses, many were fined and received point..

Totting up points on your driving Licence

Totting up points on your driving Licence.
When a driver accumulates twelve points or more in a three-year period on their driving license they are normally s..

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top