11. This attitude allowing detinue was not universally held, as can be seen from the cases noted in this section. 12. In those days, action in " detinue sur trover " could not lie against a third party. 13. Later, in 1473, breaking the bulk was determined to be a felony, and not an action in pure detinue . 14. Detinue is distinguished from common-law trover which is for the recovery of damages for the wrongful conversion of personal property.15. In tort law, "'detinue "'is an action to recover for the wrongful taking of personal property. 16. A common way to escape all writs, even the writ of right, as well as debt and detinue was to claim sickness. 17. B would be arrested as a result, and the covenant, detinue and debt actions undertaken by bill after he had been detained. 18. The defendant to a writ of debt or detinue might bring others with him who would swear that his denial of the claim was true. 19. In the United States, detinue is a possessory action having for its object the recovery of specific personal property and damages for its detention. 20. Thus a legal fiction arose; if A wished to sue B for trespass, debt and detinue , he would have a writ issued for trespass.
