Civil Code, Article 2171 — Rights of a Finder of Lost Property

What this article means

The rights and duties of the finder of lost personal property are governed by Articles 719 and 720 — a finder must return it or turn it over to the authorities, and is entitled to a reward.

Article 2171 works by cross-reference rather than restating the rule itself, which is typical of how the Code organizes the quasi-contract title: instead of duplicating the finder's duties, it simply points to where they are already defined. A quasi-contract is a lawful, voluntary act that creates an obligation between people who never agreed to anything — here, the mere fact of finding someone else's lost item creates a duty to look after it and account for it, even though the finder and the owner never entered into a contract.

Questions about this provision

• If the owner of property I found claims it in time, am I entitled to a reward?
• I found a lost movable that is not treasure - what does the law require me to do with it?

Related provisions

• Article 2170 — Commingled Movables of Different Owners.
• Article 2172 — Reimbursement to a Possessor in Good Faith.

Cases interpreting this article

• Authorities on this article will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.