What is the required standard in ordinary bailments for the bailee under reasonable care?

In the context of ordinary bailments, the standard that is required of the bailee is to exercise reasonable care over the bailed property. This means that the bailee must act in a way that a typical, prudent person would act under similar circumstances to protect the property while it is in their possession.

Reasonable care balances the interests of both the bailor and the bailee. The bailee is not required to ensure the absolute safety of the property or to protect it from all harm, but they must take appropriate precautions that are expected in the context of the specific situation. Failing to meet this standard and allowing the property to be damaged or lost due to lack of reasonable care can lead to liability for the bailee.

The emphasis on reasonable care ensures that bailee actions are considered in a reasonable context, acknowledging that different situations may require different levels of care. Thus, this standard plays a crucial role in determining liability in bailment cases.