2.4 Basic Features of Bailment

1. Delivery of possession — actual, constructive or symbolic (delivering a key or a document of title); mere custody without possession (a servant holding tools) is not bailment. 2. Specific, existing, movable goods — not money in general, not immovables, not the intangible-in-action. 3. A lawful purpose — safekeeping, use, repair, carriage, security. 4. Return of the identical goods (or disposal as directed) — no consumption. 5. Voluntary acceptance by the bailee — the bailee must know what he holds. 6. A contract — the general contract law's essentials apply (Law of Contract-I, Units 2–3); gratuitous bailments still bind on acceptance.