What kind of contract is implied in a bailment?

In the context of bailment, an implied contract exists between the parties involved, typically characterized as either an express or implied-in-fact contract. Bailment refers to the temporary transfer of possession of personal property from one party to another for a specific purpose, with the expectation that the property will be returned after that purpose has been fulfilled.

The essence of bailment revolves around the mutual understanding and agreement, even if not explicitly stated or written down. This is where the concept of an implied-in-fact contract comes into play—there is an assumption that both parties recognize their rights and obligations based on the circumstances surrounding the bailment. For example, when you leave your jacket at the dry cleaners, there's an implied understanding that they will take care of it and return it to you after cleaning, which aligns with the principles of bailment.

A sales contract involves the transfer of ownership of goods in exchange for payment, which does not fit the bailment concept, as bailment does not involve a change in ownership. Similarly, a service agreement or lease agreement addresses different types of arrangements that do not focus on the temporary custody of property as bailment does. Therefore, the correct characterization of the contract inherent in a bailment relationship is best captured by the