What is the duty of care owed in bailment?

In the context of bailment, the duty of care owed by the bailee is indeed to exercise reasonable care consistent with the purpose of the bailment. This means that the level of care is not absolute but depends on the nature of the bailment arrangement.

For example, if the bailee is holding an item for a mutual benefit, such as a rented item, they must take reasonable precautions to ensure the item is preserved and returned in good condition. The expectation of reasonable care aligns with the idea that the bailee should act as a prudent person would in similar circumstances, considering the value of the bailed property and any specific instructions left by the bailor.

This standard of care allows for flexibility, recognizing that different types of bailments (e.g., for the sole benefit of the bailor, for the sole benefit of the bailee, or mutual benefit) can impose different responsibilities regarding the care owed. Thus, the standard of "reasonable care consistent with the purpose of the bailment" accurately reflects the legal expectations placed upon bailees in these situations.