Chose in possession: Difference between revisions

From The Jolly Contrarian
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{g}}To be contrasted with [[chose in action]], a [[chose in possession]] is something which you can physically hold, as distinguished from something you are legally entitled to, whether or not you hold it, and whether or not it even has physical extension at all.
{{g}}To be contrasted with [[chose in action]], a chose in possession is something which you can physically hold, as distinguished from something you are legally entitled to, whether or not you hold it, and whether or not it even has physical extension at all.


So: A cuddly toy is a [[chose in possession]]. A {{t|contract}}ual right to be delivered a cuddly toy that you have just bought for dear junior on Amazon is a [[chose in action]].
So: A cuddly toy is a chose in possession. A {{t|contract}}ual right to be delivered a cuddly toy that you have just bought for dear junior on Amazon is a [[chose in action|chose in ''action'']].


A physical [[bearer bond]] is both a [[chose in action]] ''and'' a [[chose in possession]].
A physical [[bearer bond]] is both a [[chose in action]] ''and'' a chose in possession.


A bank note? Probably a [[chose in possession]] — at least to the extent of its papery self — but there is an argument that, as an [[Cash|articulation of abstract value]], it is ''not even that''.
A bank note? Probably a chose in possession — at least to the extent of its papery self — but there is an argument that, as an [[Cash|articulation of abstract value]], it is ''not even that''.


A debate that, before the [[great bifurcation]], was almost inconceivable to frame — people would look at you funny if you tried to distinguish between the physical and theoretical value of a bank note — and was seen as rather arid academic snorefest for a long time after it, until the sudden arrival of [[crypto asset]]s onto the scene.
A debate that, before the [[great bifurcation]], was almost inconceivable to frame — people would look at you funny if you tried to distinguish between the physical and theoretical value of a bank note — and was seen as rather arid academic snorefest for a long time after it, until the sudden arrival of [[crypto asset]]s onto the scene.

Revision as of 08:43, 20 October 2022

The Jolly Contrarian’s Glossary
The snippy guide to financial services lingo.™
Index — Click the ᐅ to expand:
Tell me more
Sign up for our newsletter — or just get in touch: for ½ a weekly 🍺 you get to consult JC. Ask about it here.

To be contrasted with chose in action, a chose in possession is something which you can physically hold, as distinguished from something you are legally entitled to, whether or not you hold it, and whether or not it even has physical extension at all.

So: A cuddly toy is a chose in possession. A contractual right to be delivered a cuddly toy that you have just bought for dear junior on Amazon is a chose in action.

A physical bearer bond is both a chose in action and a chose in possession.

A bank note? Probably a chose in possession — at least to the extent of its papery self — but there is an argument that, as an articulation of abstract value, it is not even that.

A debate that, before the great bifurcation, was almost inconceivable to frame — people would look at you funny if you tried to distinguish between the physical and theoretical value of a bank note — and was seen as rather arid academic snorefest for a long time after it, until the sudden arrival of crypto assets onto the scene.

Suddenly, every lawyer is a metaphysician.

See also