Market overt

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Market overt or marché ouvert (Law French for "open market") is an English legal concept originating in medieval times governing subsequent ownership of stolen goods. The rule was abolished in England and Wales in 1994 by the Sale of Goods (Amendment) Act 1994 (c. 32) but it is still good law in some common law jurisdictions, such as Hong Kong and British Columbia. In general, the sale of stolen goods does not convey effective title (see Nemo dat quod non habet). However, under marché ouvert, if goods were openly sold in designated markets between sunrise and sunset, provenance could not be questioned, and effective title of ownership was obtained. The concept originated centuries ago when people did not travel much; if the victim of a theft did not bother to look in his local market on market day—the only place where the goods were likely to be—he was not being suitably diligent. The rule notably applied to Bermondsey Market, which still trades from dawn until mid-afternoon.