# Metropolitan Police Courts Act 1839, Section 27: Power to order delivery of goods stolen or fraudulently obtained, and in possession of brokers and other dealer in second-hand property.


If any goods shall be stolen or unlawfully obtained from any person, or, being lawfully obtained, shall be unlawfully deposited, . . . sold, or exchanged, and complaint shall be made thereof to any of the said magistrates, and that such goods are in the possession of any broker, dealer in marine stores, or other dealer in second-hand property, . . . within the metropolitan police district, it shall be lawful for such magistrate to issue a summons or warrant for the appearance of such broker or dealer, and for the production of the goods, and to order such goods to be delivered up to the owner thereof, either without any payment, or upon payment of such sum and at such a time as the magistrate shall think fit; and every broker or dealer who, being so ordered, shall refuse or neglect to deliver up the goods, or who shall dispose of or make away with the same after notice that such goods were stolen or unlawfully obtained as aforesaid, shall forfeit to the owner of the goods the full value thereof, to be determined by the magistrate: Provided always, that no such order shall bar any such broker or dealer from recovering possession of such goods by suit or action at law from the person into whose possession they may come by virtue of the magistrate’s order, so that such action be commenced within six calendar months next after such order shall be made.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/2-3/71/section/27 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/metropolitan-police-courts-act-1839/section-27
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.