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Quasi-contract

A quasi-contract, also known as a contract implied in law or constructive contract, is a legal obligation imposed by a court to prevent unjust enrichment when no actual agreement exists between the parties.^[1] Unlike true contracts, which require mutual assent and intent, quasi-contracts arise solely from equitable principles to ensure fairness and avoid one party benefiting at another's expense without compensation.^[2] They are not based on the parties' voluntary agreement but are created by law to impose duties, typically through remedies like restitution or recovery in quantum meruit, which measures the value of benefits conferred.^[3] Quasi-contracts play a crucial role in modern legal systems, including both common law and civil law jurisdictions, by addressing situations where a plaintiff has provided goods, services, or other benefits to a defendant under circumstances where retention of that benefit would be inequitable.^[1] For instance, if a person mistakenly improves another's property believing it to be their own, a court may impose a quasi-contractual duty on the property owner to pay for the enhancement to prevent unjust enrichment.^[4] This doctrine applies on a case-by-case basis, requiring proof that the defendant appreciated the benefit and that circumstances make it unjust to retain it without payment.^[1] Historically, quasi-contracts originate from Roman law and later evolved in common law through early actions aimed at recovering for unjust enrichment, such as indebitatus assumpsit in the 16th and 17th centuries, to consolidate various equitable remedies.^[5] By the 20th century, they were formalized in legal scholarship and restatements, such as the Restatement of Restitution, emphasizing prevention of inequity over contractual intent.^[6] Today, quasi-contract claims are common in areas like mistaken payments, emergency services, and failed negotiations, serving as a safety net in the law of obligations.^[3]

Definition and Principles

Core Definition

A quasi-contract, also known as a contract implied in law or constructive contract, is a legal obligation imposed by a court to prevent unjust enrichment, where one party benefits at the expense of another without any actual agreement between them.^[1] Unlike true contracts, it is a legal fiction that treats the situation as if a contract existed, even though there is no mutual assent or intent to contract, relying instead on principles of equity and justice to impose the duty.^[2] This obligation arises when fairness demands restitution to avoid one party profiting from circumstances not contemplated by the parties involved.^[7] The foundational principle underlying quasi-contracts is encapsulated in the Latin maxim nemo debet locupletari ex aliena jactura, meaning "no one should enrich themselves from another's loss," which underscores the equitable goal of preventing such enrichment.^[8] This maxim reflects the broader doctrine of unjust enrichment, where courts intervene to restore the status quo by requiring the beneficiary to compensate the provider of the benefit. The term "quasi-contract" derives from the Roman law phrase quasi ex contractu, translating to "as if from a contract," highlighting its resemblance to contractual obligations without being one in substance.^[9] This etymology emphasizes the fictional nature of the construct, imposed judicially to achieve equitable outcomes in the absence of a genuine agreement.

Foundational Principles

Quasi-contracts are grounded in the principle of restitution, which seeks to restore the plaintiff to their position prior to the defendant's unjust enrichment by requiring the return of the benefit received, rather than providing expectation damages that might arise from an actual contractual bargain.^[10] This remedial approach ensures that the recipient of an unintended benefit does not retain it at the expense of another, as exemplified in cases where courts award the reasonable value of services provided under quantum meruit to prevent such inequity.^[11] Unlike true contracts, restitution under quasi-contract focuses solely on reversing the enrichment, measured by the value of the benefit conferred, without regard to lost profits or speculative gains.^[12] In common law systems, equity plays a pivotal role in justifying quasi-contracts by empowering courts to impose obligations in the absence of an actual agreement, thereby enforcing fundamental fairness and preventing one party from profiting from circumstances that would otherwise lead to moral or legal inequity.^[10] This equitable intervention addresses situations where strict application of contract law would allow unjust retention of benefits, such as mistaken payments or unrequested but valuable services, aligning outcomes with principles of conscience and autonomy.^[12] Drawing briefly from Roman law influences on equity, this framework evolved to prioritize corrective justice over rigid formalism.^[12] Quasi-contract remedies are distinctly compensatory in nature, aimed at restitution rather than punishment, distinguishing them from tort or criminal measures that seek to deter or penalize wrongdoing.^[10] Courts thus limit recovery to the objective value of the enrichment, ensuring no windfall or punitive award, as seen in rulings that deny liability for benefits not requested or where the recipient has not acted unconscionably.^[11] This focus underscores the doctrine's commitment to balancing equities without imposing broader sanctions.^[12]

Historical Development

Roman Law Origins

In Roman law, the concept of quasi-contracts emerged as a category of obligations known as obligatio quasi ex contractu, which imposed duties resembling those from contracts but arising without mutual consent or agreement. This classification was formalized by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century CE through his Corpus Juris Civilis, particularly the Institutes (3.13.pr.), where obligations were divided into four types: ex contractu (from contract), quasi ex contractu (as if from contract), ex maleficio (from wrongdoing), and quasi ex maleficio (as if from wrongdoing).[] (https://oxfordre.com/classics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-4492) Earlier, the 2nd-century jurist Gaius in his Institutes (3.88) had recognized only two primary sources—contracts and delicts—but Justinian expanded this framework to include quasi-contractual obligations to address restitutionary claims not fitting traditional categories.[] (https://amesfoundation.law.harvard.edu/RL/mats/Frier_010a%20Chapter%208%20Casebook%20on%20the%20Roman%20Law%20of%20Contracts.pdf) A key mechanism within obligatio quasi ex contractu was the condictio, an action for recovery of property or payments improperly transferred, such as the condictio indebiti for mistaken payments where the payer believed an obligation existed but none did. For instance, if someone erroneously paid money they did not owe, the recipient was bound to return it to prevent unjust retention, as detailed in Justinian's Digest (12.6), drawing on classical jurists like Pomponius.[] (https://oxfordre.com/classics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-5563) These actions enforced restitution based on error or wrongdoing without requiring contractual intent, emphasizing equity over formal agreement; Gaius referenced similar recovery principles in his discussions of obligations (Gaius, Inst. 3.91), while the Digest (e.g., D. 12.6.22.1) illustrated their application to cases like unintended conveyances.[] (https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Obligationes.html) Contributions from Roman jurists further shaped these principles, with Justinian's Digest compiling opinions from earlier authorities to affirm that quasi-contractual duties could stem from error, unauthorized acts, or guardianship without consent. In the Digest (3.27), obligations arose from scenarios like mistaken enrichment or officious intervention, distinct from delictual liability.[] (https://www.jstor.org/stable/1067261) Gaius's work laid foundational groundwork by implying restitutionary remedies in non-consensual transfers (Gaius, Inst. 3.89–91), influencing Justinian's synthesis. Another pivotal element was negotiorum gestio, the voluntary management of another's affairs without mandate or consent, which created a quasi-contractual obligation for the beneficiary to reimburse the gestor for necessary expenses, as outlined in the Digest (3.5) and prefiguring modern restitution for unauthorized benefits.[] (https://academic.oup.com/book/39287/chapter/338866861) These Roman principles of obligatio quasi ex contractu, including condictio and negotiorum gestio, provided early models for enforcing fairness in non-consensual enrichments, exerting lasting influence on subsequent legal systems by prioritizing restitution over strict contractual formalism.

Common Law Evolution

The doctrine of quasi-contract in English common law originated in the medieval period through the action of indebitatus assumpsit, which emerged as an extension of the writ of trespass on the case in the late 15th century to address non-performance of duties.^[13] By 1504, assumpsit was recognized as a viable remedy for breaches involving promises, allowing plaintiffs to recover for debts or benefits conferred without relying on the rigid procedural requirements of the older action of debt, such as wager of law.^[13] This fictional device posited an implied promise to pay, transforming obligations arising from debts or unjust benefits into assumpsit claims, thereby bypassing limitations in debt actions and facilitating recovery in cases of simple contracts or quasi-contractual situations.^[14] Indebitatus assumpsit evolved into several sub-forms known as the "common counts," which provided tailored remedies for specific scenarios of benefit conferral.^[14] The count for money had and received addressed mistaken or overpayments, enabling recovery where the defendant held funds to the plaintiff's use, as established in early 18th-century precedents.^[13] Quantum meruit allowed compensation for the reasonable value of services rendered without an express agreement, while quantum valebant applied similarly to goods supplied, quantifying recovery based on market value.^[14] The count for money paid permitted reimbursement for payments made to the defendant's use, such as under compulsion or mistake, collectively forming a flexible framework for restitutionary claims grounded in implied obligations.^[13] These counts, solidified by Slade's Case in 1602, which upheld assumpsit for preexisting debts without a subsequent promise, marked a pivotal shift toward broader application in quasi-contractual recovery.^[13] In the 19th and 20th centuries, the fictional promise underpinning indebitatus assumpsit gave way to an explicit doctrine of unjust enrichment, emphasizing restitution over contractual fiction.^[14] Lord Mansfield's judgment in Moses v. Macferlan (1760) advanced this by framing recovery in money had and received as rooted in equity and natural justice, rather than implied contract, influencing subsequent developments.^[14] By the early 20th century, English courts, in Fibrosa Spolka Akcyjna v. Fairbairn Lawson Combe Barbour Ltd AC 32, recognized total failure of consideration as grounds for restitution, allowing recovery of prepayments under frustrated contracts to prevent unjust enrichment, thereby overruling prior restrictions and integrating quasi-contractual principles into broader restitutionary law.^[15] In the United States, a parallel evolution occurred, with scholars like James Barr Ames and William Keener in the late 19th century recharacterizing quasi-contracts as unjust enrichment claims, formalized in the First Restatement of Restitution (1937).^[14]

Distinctions from Contracts

Express and Implied-in-Fact Contracts

Express contracts are agreements in which the terms are explicitly stated, either orally or in writing, forming an exchange of promises that bind the parties involved.^[16] These contracts require clear declaration of the obligations, ensuring that the mutual assent of the parties is evident from the communicated terms.^[17] For instance, a written lease agreement or a verbal promise to sell goods at a specified price exemplifies an express contract, where the parties' intentions are directly articulated.^[18] In contrast, implied-in-fact contracts arise from the conduct of the parties rather than explicit words, where mutual agreement is inferred from their actions and circumstances.^[19] Such contracts are formed when the behavior of the parties demonstrates an intent to be bound, even without formal statements, as long as one party has reason to know the other's expectations.^[20] A classic example occurs when a customer orders and consumes food in a restaurant, implying a promise to pay for the meal based on the established custom and the actions of both parties.^[21] Both express and implied-in-fact contracts share essential requirements for enforceability, including mutual assent through offer and acceptance, consideration as an exchange of value, capacity of the parties, legality of purpose, and an intent to create legal relations manifested by their agreement.^[18] Mutual assent forms the cornerstone, requiring that the parties' outward expressions align to form a meeting of the minds, while consideration ensures the agreement is not merely gratuitous.^[22] These elements distinguish true contracts, grounded in actual or inferred consent, from quasi-contracts that impose obligations without genuine agreement.^[18]

Quasi-Contracts as Implied-in-Law

Quasi-contracts, also known as contracts implied in law, differ fundamentally from implied-in-fact contracts in that they do not arise from any actual or inferred agreement between the parties based on their conduct or intent; instead, they represent a purely judicial construct imposed by courts to achieve equitable outcomes where no true contractual relationship exists.^[1]^[2] This distinction underscores the fictional nature of quasi-contracts, which lack the mutual assent essential to express or implied-in-fact contracts, serving instead as a remedial tool to rectify imbalances without implying genuine consent.^[23]^[20] The legal basis for imposing a quasi-contract stems from circumstances where one party has conferred a benefit on another under conditions of mistake, necessity, or compulsion, prompting courts to fictitiously "imply" a promise to pay reasonable value as a matter of equity.^[24]^[25] For instance, if services are provided due to an emergency necessity without prior agreement, the law may impose an obligation on the recipient to compensate the provider to avoid inequity, even absent any intent to contract.^[26] This imposition operates independently of the parties' subjective intentions, relying solely on the objective need to prevent one-sided gain.^[6] The policy rationale behind quasi-contracts as implied-in-law obligations is to avert unjust enrichment in scenarios where no enforceable contract materializes, functioning as a measure of last resort only after claims based on actual contracts have failed.^[3]^[27] By allowing recovery for benefits conferred involuntarily or mistakenly, this doctrine upholds fairness without expanding contractual liability beyond consensual bounds, ensuring that equity fills gaps left by traditional contract law.^[28] Thus, quasi-contracts promote restitutionary justice while preserving the primacy of voluntary agreements.^[29]

Legal Elements

Requirements for Imposition

To impose a quasi-contractual obligation, courts require the satisfaction of specific factual prerequisites that establish the basis for restitutionary liability. These elements ensure that the remedy is applied only where one party has received value from another under circumstances that lack any contractual or other legal foundation for retention. The requirements are rooted in preventing unjust enrichment, a doctrine that underpins quasi-contracts by mandating repayment for benefits improperly retained.^[1] The first essential requirement is that the plaintiff must have conferred a measurable benefit upon the defendant. This benefit refers to any tangible or intangible value transferred, such as labor, materials, or services that enhance the defendant's position, whether by increasing assets, reducing liabilities, or averting losses. For instance, if a contractor mistakenly improves an adjacent property owner's land, believing it to be part of their assigned project, a benefit is conferred if the owner retains the improvement's value. The benefit must be quantifiable to support a claim, as mere incidental or negligible advantages do not suffice.^[4]^[1] Second, the defendant must have knowledge of the benefit or freely accept it, demonstrating awareness rather than inadvertent receipt. Courts typically demand evidence that the defendant appreciated the value provided and did not object or disclaim it when reasonably able to do so. This element prevents liability for unsolicited benefits imposed without the recipient's choice, such as unrequested repairs to a neighbor's fence when the neighbor was aware and could have refused. Knowledge ensures the defendant's retention is voluntary and informed, aligning with the equitable nature of the obligation. In cases where the benefit is ongoing, like continued use of services, acceptance can be inferred from the defendant's conduct in failing to terminate or compensate.^[1] Third, there must be an absence of any valid contract or other legal justification for the defendant's retention of the benefit. A quasi-contract cannot arise if an express agreement, implied-in-fact contract, or statutory provision already governs the exchange, as these provide their own remedies. For example, if a plaintiff provides services under a mistaken belief with no prior agreement, but an express contract later covers similar services, quasi-contract would not apply to those covered services. This requirement bars claims where the benefit was intended as a gift, performed under a mistake excused by law, or justified by prior dealings.^[4] Finally, the plaintiff must generally show a reasonable expectation of compensation, though this is not strictly required in all jurisdictions and serves primarily to underscore the inequity of non-payment. Where present, this expectation is assessed objectively based on the circumstances, such as industry norms or the plaintiff's communications indicating an intent to charge. In a scenario where a physician provides emergency care to an unconscious patient, the expectation may be presumed from professional standards, even without prior agreement. However, if the plaintiff acted officiously or without any basis for assuming payment, courts may deny recovery to avoid imposing liability for gratuitous acts.^[1]

Unjust Enrichment Theory

The unjust enrichment theory underpins the imposition of quasi-contractual obligations, serving as the primary doctrinal basis for restitutionary claims where no actual contract exists. This theory seeks to prevent one party from retaining a benefit obtained at another's expense without a valid legal ground, thereby promoting fairness and equity in legal relations. It operates independently of contractual intent, focusing instead on the objective circumstances of the benefit transfer and its unjust retention.^[30] In modern common law jurisdictions, particularly in Canada, the unjust enrichment claim is established through a three-part test: first, the enrichment of the defendant through the receipt of a benefit; second, a corresponding deprivation suffered by the plaintiff, such as the loss of value or resources; and third, the absence of any juristic reason for the enrichment, such as a valid contract, gift, or statutory authorization that justifies the defendant's retention of the benefit. This structured approach ensures that recovery is limited to situations where the enrichment lacks a legitimate basis, distinguishing it from mere incidental benefits. The test emphasizes that the deprivation must directly correspond to the enrichment, meaning the plaintiff's loss must be linked to the defendant's gain without intermediary factors dissipating the connection. The evolution of unjust enrichment reflects a shift from its origins as a subsidiary remedy within quasi-contractual actions—often framed as implied-in-law contracts—to a standalone primary claim within the broader law of restitution. Early formulations treated it as a fictional contractual obligation to enforce equity, but contemporary developments recognize it as an autonomous equitable doctrine. For instance, the U.S. Restatement (Third) of Restitution and Unjust Enrichment (2011) codifies unjust enrichment as the core principle governing restitutionary liability, elevating it beyond contractual analogies to address a wide array of unjust benefits, including those arising from mistakes, compulsion, or wrongdoing. This progression underscores the theory's adaptability, allowing courts to respond to inequities without rigid adherence to traditional contract paradigms. Several defenses may bar or limit recovery under the unjust enrichment theory. The change of position defense applies when the defendant has detrimentally altered their position in reliance on the enrichment, making full restitution inequitable; for example, if the defendant spends the benefit in good faith, recovery may be reduced accordingly. Necessity serves as a defense where the benefit was conferred to avert imminent harm, such as providing emergency services, justifying retention absent bad faith. Additionally, the plaintiff's fault—such as contributory negligence or unclean hands—can preclude recovery if it contributed to the enrichment or renders the claim inequitable. These defenses balance the theory's remedial goals against principles of fairness and reliance.^[30]

Remedies and Applications

Available Remedies

In quasi-contracts, remedies are restitutionary in nature, designed to prevent unjust enrichment by requiring the defendant to disgorge the value of any benefit wrongfully retained at the plaintiff's expense.^[1] These remedies focus on restoring the status quo ante, measuring recovery based on the objective value of the benefit conferred rather than the plaintiff's lost profits or subjective expectations.^[10] Courts impose such remedies only where the elements of unjust enrichment are met, such as a benefit provided, its appreciation by the defendant, and the inequity of retention without compensation.^[31] Quantum meruit allows recovery for the reasonable value of services rendered by the plaintiff to the defendant without an enforceable contract.^[32] This remedy, meaning "as much as one has earned," is calculated based on the fair market value of the services at the time and place they were provided, often determined through evidence of prevailing rates or expert testimony.^[32] For instance, if services are performed at the defendant's request but no agreement on payment is reached, the plaintiff may recover the amount a willing buyer would pay in similar circumstances, ensuring the defendant does not benefit gratuitously.^[10] This measure emphasizes the defendant's enrichment rather than any contractual bargain.^[31] Quantum valebant, translating to "as much as it was worth," provides a parallel remedy for the reasonable value of goods supplied to the defendant absent a valid contract.^[10] Recovery is assessed by the market price of the goods delivered, accounting for their quality, quantity, and the context of acceptance by the defendant.^[31] This approach applies when goods are furnished under circumstances implying an expectation of payment, such as in emergency situations or mistaken deliveries, with the goal of reimbursing the plaintiff for the objective worth retained.^[33] The action for money had and received enables the plaintiff to reclaim specific funds paid to the defendant under mistake, coercion, or other circumstances rendering retention unjust.^[34] This common law count requires proof that the defendant received money intended for the plaintiff's use, failed to apply it accordingly, and has not returned it, with recovery limited to the exact amount transferred.^[34] Measurement is straightforward, typically the principal sum plus any traceable interest, without allowance for consequential losses.^[10] It serves as a personal claim against the recipient, rooted in an implied obligation to repay.^[31] Under general restitution, courts may order the return of benefits in kind—such as property or specific performance—or their equivalent monetary value to reverse the unjust enrichment.^[1] This broader remedy values the benefit as the gain to the defendant, often using objective market standards or the cost to the plaintiff if lower, but excludes punitive elements or damages fulfilling the plaintiff's expectation interest under a hypothetical contract.^[10] For non-monetary benefits, equitable tracing may apply to identify and restore the precise enrichment, ensuring proportionality without overcompensation.^[31]

Illustrative Case Examples

One of the seminal historical cases illustrating the application of quasi-contract principles is Moses v. Macferlan (1760), decided by the English Court of King's Bench. In this dispute, the plaintiff, Moses, had endorsed promissory notes to the defendant, Macferlan, who agreed to indemnify Moses against any liability arising from them. Macferlan later sued Moses on the endorsement in a court of conscience and obtained a judgment, which Moses paid. Moses then sought recovery from Macferlan in the Court of King's Bench, arguing that the payment was made under circumstances where equity demanded restitution. Lord Mansfield held in favor of Moses, allowing recovery in an action of indebitatus assumpsit—a form of quasi-contract—on the grounds that Macferlan had received money that ex aequo et bono belonged to Moses, emphasizing restitution for money paid by mistake or under compulsion without an actual contract.^[35] A modern U.S. example highlighting the distinction between express contracts and quasi-contract claims is Rambo Associates, Inc. v. South Tama County Community School District (2008), from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Rambo, an architectural firm, provided consulting services to the school district under a written contract for a construction project funded by state sources. When funding issues arose and the project stalled, Rambo sued for breach of the express contract and, alternatively, unjust enrichment under quasi-contract for additional "extra services" not explicitly covered. The district court awarded damages on the contract claim but denied quasi-contract recovery, finding the services either encompassed by the existing agreement or lacking sufficient evidence of value and benefit to the district. The Eighth Circuit affirmed, clarifying that quasi-contract remedies are unavailable where an express contract governs the same subject matter, thus preventing double recovery and underscoring quasi-contract's role as a fallback for unjust enrichment absent a true agreement.^[36] In a Canadian financial context, the principles of quasi-contract for mistaken payments continue to apply in recent disputes, as seen in cases building on foundational precedents like B.M.P. Global Distribution Inc. v. Bank of Nova Scotia (2009), with ongoing relevance into the 2020s for erroneous transfers in commercial transactions. In BMP, the Supreme Court of Canada clarified the restitutionary principles for payments made under mistake, affirming a prima facie entitlement to recovery under unjust enrichment subject to defenses such as the recipient's change of position, and emphasizing the need to prevent unjust retention in banking scenarios. This approach has been reaffirmed in subsequent analyses and applications, such as discussions of large-scale wire transfer errors as of 2021, where Canadian courts and commentators apply these principles to assess recovery for clerical mistakes in finance while considering jurisdictional defenses like discharge for value.^[37] Across these cases, courts consistently awarded restitutionary remedies, such as money had and received or quantum meruit for services, without requiring proof of an actual contractual intent, focusing instead on preventing unjust retention of benefits at the plaintiff's expense.

Jurisdictional Variations

Common Law Jurisdictions

In the United States, quasi-contractual obligations are codified and systematized under the American Law Institute's Restatement (Third) of Restitution and Unjust Enrichment (2011), which treats them as constructive liabilities imposed by law to reverse unjust enrichment rather than as implied agreements.^[30] This framework distinguishes quasi-contracts from express or implied-in-fact contracts by focusing on the defendant's unjustified gain at the plaintiff's expense, applicable in cases like mistaken payments or benefits conferred under compulsion.^[38] State variations exist, notably in New York, where courts emphasize limitations on recovery to prevent officious intermeddling; for instance, unsolicited services or benefits provided without request or emergency are typically not recoverable in quasi-contract to avoid imposing unwanted obligations on recipients.^[39]^[40] In the United Kingdom, quasi-contracts have largely been integrated into the law of unjust enrichment since the 1990s, particularly following the House of Lords' decision in Woolwich Equitable Building Society v Inland Revenue Commissioners AC 70, which established a general right to restitution for payments made pursuant to an unlawful demand by a public authority, irrespective of fault or mistake.^[41] This ruling expanded recovery beyond traditional quasi-contractual grounds like mistake, emphasizing policy reasons against allowing the state to retain unlawfully exacted funds, and effectively eliminated standalone quasi-contract actions in favor of a unified unjust enrichment doctrine.^[42] Canadian law has undergone a significant shift influenced by the scholarship of Peter Birks, who advocated for unjust enrichment as an independent category of obligation, separate from quasi-contract's historical fictions of implied agreements.^[43] Courts now apply a structured test—enrichment, corresponding deprivation, absence of juristic reason, and causation—to quasi-contractual claims, as refined in cases like Garland v Consumers' Gas Co. 1 SCR 629, promoting autonomous restitution remedies.^[44] A broader trend in common law jurisdictions is the decline of "quasi-contract" as a distinct label, supplanted by the more analytically precise terminology of restitution and unjust enrichment, which better captures the equitable and policy-driven nature of these obligations without reliance on contractual analogies.^[45] This evolution reflects decades of doctrinal refinement, prioritizing substantive justice over historical forms.

Civil Law Systems

In civil law systems, quasi-contracts are recognized as distinct categories of legal obligations derived from codified principles rooted in Roman law, emphasizing restitution and fairness without the need for fictional contractual intent. Unlike approaches in other traditions, these obligations arise from voluntary acts or circumstances that impose duties to prevent unjust benefit, as systematically outlined in national codes.^[46] In France, the Civil Code (Code civil), reformed in 2016, governs quasi-contracts under Articles 1300 et seq., defining them as voluntary actions that create obligations for the beneficiary who lacks a right to the benefit, or sometimes for the actor themselves.^[47] Key forms include negotiorum gestio (management of another's affairs, Articles 1301–1301-5), where an unauthorized party voluntarily manages another's business with reasonable care and utility, obligating the principal to reimburse expenses and compensate for liabilities incurred, provided the manager notifies the principal promptly.^[47] Another is enrichment without cause (Articles 1303–1303-4), requiring the enriched party to compensate the impoverished one by the lesser of the enrichment or impoverishment amounts, absent any legal justification, though defenses apply for fault or alternative remedies.^[47] Payment of another's debt is addressed via subrogation (Article 1346), allowing a third party satisfying a legitimate debt to assume the creditor's rights.^[47] In Germany, the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) codifies quasi-contractual restitution primarily through unjust enrichment provisions in §§ 812–822, focusing on the Leistungskondiktion (condictio for performance). § 812 mandates that a person who obtains enrichment without legal ground—through another's performance or at their expense—must return it, including when a legal basis ceases to exist or a transaction fails.^[48] This general remedy covers restitution of benefits like payments or services, with subsequent sections detailing defenses (e.g., § 814 for changed circumstances), valuation (§ 818), and accessories (§ 819), extending to cases of mistaken or unauthorized transfers.^[48] Unlike narrower historical categories, this framework integrates management of affairs and undue payments under the broader unjust enrichment umbrella.^[49] Civil law quasi-contracts differ from other systems by being explicitly codified as standalone obligations, avoiding fictional constructs and directly incorporating Roman-derived actions like negotiorum gestio and condictio indebiti, while encompassing scenarios such as voluntary debt payment or affair management without requiring implied agreement.^[46] This structured approach prioritizes legislative clarity over judicial precedent. In modern contexts, the European Union's Rome II Regulation (EC) No 864/2007 facilitates harmonization in cross-border cases by applying the law of the country most closely connected to the unjust enrichment or negotiorum gestio (Article 10 for enrichment, Article 11 for management), promoting uniformity as of 2025 amid ongoing integration efforts.^[50]

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[PDF] Damages for Breach of Contract - NYU Law
•Quasi-Contract: Contract implied in law (―unjust enrichment,‖ restitution remedy) ... mistake OR his conduct caused the mistake. Laidlaw v. Organ (1055) ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[26]
[PDF] The Necessity of Conferring a Benefit for Recovery in Quasi-Contract
quasi-contract: the prevention of either an unjust enrichment of the ... implied in law,63 the necessity of a benefit and the court's inability to.
[27]
[DOC] Contracts Outline (Murphy) - NYU Law
May not employ legal fiction of quasi contract to “substitute one promisor or debtor for another.” 3. Restitution is a last-resort action: must first ...
[28]
[PDF] Quasi-Contracts—Relationships Raising Presumption of Gratuity
Like contracts, quasi-contracts are enforced by means of the remedy of assrmpsil. Again, quasi-contracts and contracts are based upon particular dealings ...
[29]
[PDF] Quantum Meruit and the Restatement (Third) of Restitution and ...
As one recent court notes, "Courts generally treat actions brought upon theories of unjust enrichment, quasi-contract, contracts implied in law, and quantum ...
[30]
Restitution and Unjust Enrichment | The American Law Institute
This work presents an independent and coherent body of law addressing both the remedy of restitution and the related law of unjust enrichment.
[31]
[PDF] Tennessee Restitution and Unjust Enrichment at Law
20. The quasi contract is a fictitious contract between the parties where the court uses the defendant‟s social duty to deal justly with others as a substitute ...
[32]
quantum meruit | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
Quantum meruit is an equitable remedy that provides restitution for unjust enrichment, often employed in contract law.Missing: valebant had received general common
[33]
quantum valebant Definition, Meaning & Usage
quantum valebant - A common-law claim to retrieve payment equivalent to the value of goods or services supplied.
[34]
CACI No. 370. Common Count: Money Had and Received - Justia
Apr 2, 2025 · The common count is a general pleading which seeks recovery of money without specifying the nature of the claim.
[35]
Moses v. Macferlan - Case Brief Summary - Quimbee
Under the agreement, Moses assigned promissory notes to Macferlan, which allowed Macferlan to collect, or sue to collect, from the makers of the promissory ...
[36]
Rambo Associates, Inc. v. South Tama County Community School District – CourtListener.com
### Summary of Rambo Associates, Inc. v. South Tama County Community School District
[37]
Bank error in your favour – The $900 million wire transfer mistake
Mar 30, 2021 · The recipient of a mistaken payment is usually required to give it back, on the basis of unjust enrichment. However, under the discharge-for- ...
[38]
[PDF] The Restatement (Third) of Restitution & Unjust Enrichment
The Restatement (Third) of Restitution & Unjust Enrichment states that those unjustly enriched at another's expense are liable for restitution, but not if the ...
[39]
Quasi-Contract Claims: New York | Practical Law - Westlaw
A Q&A guide to understanding quasi-contract claims available under New York common law, including promissory estoppel, quantum meruit, and unjust enrichment.
[40]
[PDF] Officiousness - Scholarship@Cornell Law: A Digital Repository
Contract emphasizes the rights of the defendant (B, the beneficiary) and slights consideration of the rights of the plaintiff. (A, the intervenor), while quasi ...Missing: variation | Show results with:variation
[41]
"The Public Law of Restitution" [2014] MelbULawRw 13 - classic austlii
This article examines the seminal case of Woolwich Equitable Building Society v Inland Revenue Commissioners, in which the House of Lords held that an unlawful ...
[42]
Woolwich Equitable Building Society v Inland Revenue ...
The plaintiff, Woolwich Equitable Building Society (now the Woolwich Building Society), made payments to the defendants, the Inland Revenue Commissioners.
[43]
Unjust Enrichment Understood as Absence of Basis
Jul 27, 2017 · I argue that English law should not abandon the current approach to unjust enrichment by adopting an absence of basis model.
[44]
The Canadian Principle of Unjust Enrichment - CanLII
In this article, the author explores the principle of unjust enrichment as formulated by courts of common law jurisdictions in Canada.
[45]
Blockchain and Digital Assets News and Trends – October 2025
Oct 30, 2025 · The court found the pleadings support a plausible unjust enrichment theory and identified open factual questions about Article 8's definition of ...
[46]
[PDF] In Defence of Quasi-Contract - Osgoode Digital Commons
Birks, Unjust Enrichment). See also ibid, 57 where Birks talks about the 'artificialities' of the previously common analysis of unrequested services using ...
[47]
[PDF] common law vs civil law (codified and uncodified) (Part I) - Unidroit
the Québec or Louisiana codified civil law of quasi-contract, the effect, if not the result, is different.11. It is interesting as well that outside of ...
[48]
French Civil Code 2016 | Trans-Lex.org
The quasi-contracts governed by this sub-title are management of another's affairs, payment of a debt which is not due, and unjustified enrichment. CHAPTER ...Missing: negotiorum gestio<|separator|>
[49]
§ 812 BGB - Einzelnorm
### Summary of §§ 812-822 BGB (Leistungskondiktion and Unjust Enrichment)
[50]
(PDF) UNJUST ENRICHMENT: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Unjust enrichment law evolved from rigid English contract law, introducing quasi-contracts in the 17th century. The paper analyzes historical models of ...
[51]
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32007R0864