We will read Garratt, Picard, Lopez, and Womack in order to distill the elements of the intentional torts of battery, assault, false imprisonment, and iied. In answering this question, keep in mind that sometimes it may not be desirable to redress plaintiff's harm legally. The remaining cases illustrate some interesting twists on the tort of iied. Some Modern Twists on Property Torts A. Conversion versus Trespass to Chattel 1. These are torts committed against personal, as opposed to real, property.
Conversion is the unauthorized exercise of dominion over the chattel of another.
Trespass to chattels is the unauthorized intermeddling with the use of a chattel of another. However, the line between possession and ownership may be difficult to draw in many instances. Hence, both claims may be available when personal property is involved. The main difference is that trespass to chattels requires a showing of actual and substantial damages, while conversion does not. In situations where the chattel has not been substantially damaged, a cause of action for trespass to chattels will not be available, while one for conversion would be.