One who has possession of another’s property under contract of bailment or agreement. A bailee for reward receives payment (e.g. garage owner for repairing a car) and must use the care that a prudent man would use over his own goods. Where there is no common benefit the person in possession is a gratuitous bailee who must exercise the care that a vigilant person would over his own goods. Bailees for reward may seek to exempt themselves or limit their liability. See UNFAIR CONTRACT TERMS ACT 1997.
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One who is charged with the care of the property of another. For example, a garage is the bailee of a customer’s (bailor’s) car (the bailment) and a jeweler is a bailee of customers’ jewelry while in its possession for repair or appraisal.
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One who has the custody of the property of another. Bailee “for hire” have certain responsibilities to care for the property of others that is in their custody.
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A person who holds the property of another person (the bailor) under a contract or agreement according to which the property held is to be returned to the bailor or delivered somewhere to his order. A bailee for reward is paid for his services.
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A person or concern having possession of property committed in trust from the owner.