Lien

A Lien is the legal right of a person (the creditor) to retain possession of goods or property belonging to another (the debtor) until a specific debt or obligation is fulfilled.

In simpler terms, it is a "right to hold" but not necessarily a "right to sell." Under the Indian Contract Act, 1872, the concept is divided into two main categories:

1. Particular Lien (Section 170)

A Particular Lien is the right to retain only the specific goods for which a service was rendered or labor/skill was applied.

2. General Lien (Section 171)

A General Lien is a broader right that allows certain professionals to retain any goods or property in their possession as security for a general balance of account, even if no labor was performed on those specific items.