The Doctrine of Conversion

The Doctrine of Conversion is a legal principle that treats certain unauthorized acts—like theft, fraud, or misappropriation of someone else's property—as if the person has intentionally transferred ownership to themselves. In essence, it recognizes that wrongful interference with someone else’s property is akin to a formal transfer, making the wrongdoer liable for damages. This doctrine helps protect property rights by holding individuals accountable when they wrongly take or use another person’s belongings, even if there was no formal agreement or legal transfer of ownership.