What is an example of the rule of first possession?

The rule of first possession is a legal principle that grants ownership rights to individuals who are the first to take possession of an unowned resource. This concept is often illustrated through various examples in property law.

In the context of the choices provided, an instance that reflects the rule of first possession is when baseballs are hit over the wall during a home run. In such cases, these baseballs are considered abandoned or unowned once they leave the field. The first person to retrieve the baseball has the right to keep it as their own. Thus, this situation exemplifies the principle by showing how the first individual to physically take possession of the baseball achieves ownership.

The other options do not effectively illustrate the rule of first possession in the same way. A property deed pertains to documented ownership and does not involve the concept of acquiring unowned property. A missing pet involves issues of ownership that already exist and does not reflect the first possession of an unowned entity. Unclaimed lottery tickets similarly relate to ownership disputes but do not represent the active taking of possession of a resource that was previously unowned. Therefore, the scenario of baseballs hit over a wall provides the clearest example of the rule of first possession.