Reference no: EM133310704

Coursework Scenario

Oregon has just completed the purchase of Skyview Cottage situated in the middle of rural countryside from Pauline. On entering the cottage she was upset to discover that the large freestanding hot tub and home bar had been removed. When she had first viewed the property, the hot tub had been set up in a room with large glass windows on two sides and bifold doors opening onto the garden and had been connected to the mains plumbing and electric. There are hooks to hang dressing gowns and towels and underfloor heating. In the corner a freestanding bar had been set up, painted to match the room and with a tiled top that matched the floor. The bar contained a built-in fridge that was plugged into the mains electric.

A week after completing on Skyview Cottage, Oregon attended an open day at a nearby school. While being shown around the school grounds she found a Tiffany ring on grass of the sports field. Oregon handed the ring to Dill, the head teacher and said if the owner could not be found they would like to keep it. Emails were sent out to all staff and parents; a notice was placed in the staff and general school notice boards and local paper. After six months no one has come forward to claim the ring. Oregon has now discovered that Dill intends to sell the ring for £5000 and use the money to refurbish the staff room. The school grounds are usually locked for child safety purposes apart from at the start and end of the school day, outside of these times access has to be granted by intercom.

Oregon has recently begun to redevelop Skyview cottage and is looking to add an extension. While the builders were digging the foundations they came across an old looking bronze statue. After carefully excavating the nearby area they also found 11 similarly old looking coins within a few metres. The builder, a keen historian said they would like to keep the items as he found them.

Pauline has recently heard about the items and believing them to be worth a significant sum has approached Oregon stating that as they were there when she owned the property, she should get a cut of any profits.

Advise on the following:-

a. Can Oregon force Pauline to return the hot tub and bar?

b. Can Oregon demand the return of the ring from Dill?

c. Who has the best claim to the bronze statue and coins found while digging on Skyview Cottage?