Replevin Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Replevin, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Replevin?

(N) Replevin is the right to resort legal steps for recovery of goods, articles or properties illegitimately seized by somebody without his permission

History and Meaning of Replevin

Replevin is an old legal term that has been used for a long time to refer to the right to recover goods that have been wrongfully taken or held. In some cases, it was used to refer to a specific legal action that could be taken by someone who had their property taken without their consent. The term can be traced back to the English common law system and has been incorporated into many different legal systems around the world.

Examples of Replevin

  1. John's car was wrongfully taken by a towing company, so he filed a replevin action in court to get it back.
  2. Mary's landlord refused to return her security deposit, so she filed a replevin action to recover the money.
  3. A company's computer equipment was seized by the sheriff's department as part of a criminal investigation, but it was later determined that the seizure was unlawful, so the company filed a replevin action to get their equipment back.

Legal Terms Similar to Replevin

  1. Detinue: a legal action to recover goods that have been wrongfully detained.
  2. Distraint: the legal right of a landlord to seize a tenant's property to pay for rent owed.
  3. Ejectment: a legal action to remove someone from land or property.