Quasi-contract

/ˈkweɪzaɪ ˈkɑntrækt/ noun

Definition

A legal obligation imposed by courts to prevent unjust enrichment when no actual contract exists between parties. It's not a real contract but a legal fiction used to require payment for benefits received.

Etymology

From Latin 'quasi' meaning 'as if' or 'almost' combined with 'contractus' (contract). Roman law developed this concept to address situations where fairness required treating relationships 'as if' they were contractual even without agreement.

Kelly Says

Quasi-contract is the law's way of saying 'no free lunches'—even if you never agreed to pay for something, if you received a benefit and it would be unfair for you to keep it for free, the court will create a fictional contract to make you pay up!

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