What element is common to both the torts of trespass to chattel and conversion?

Both trespass to chattel and conversion involve the unauthorized interference with personal property belonging to another person. The key element shared by these two torts is the invasion of the right to possess that property without permission.

In trespass to chattel, the interference is typically less severe and might involve temporary dispossession or minor damages, allowing for the possibility of the property being returned in relatively good condition. In contrast, conversion is a more serious violation that involves taking ownership or control of the property in a manner that denies the owner the use of it, essentially treating the property as if it were one's own to the point where full compensation is warranted.

Thus, the commonality lies in the fact that both torts arise from actions taken without the owner's consent regarding their personal property, making the first answer the most accurate in identifying a shared element of these two legal concepts.