Unjust Enrichment - Determination of Liability

Determination of Liability

Contract law
Part of the common law series
Contract formation
  • Offer and acceptance
  • Posting rule
  • Mirror image rule
  • Invitation to treat
  • Firm offer
  • Consideration
Defenses against formation
  • Lack of capacity
  • Duress
  • Undue influence
  • Illusory promise
  • Statute of frauds
  • Non est factum
Contract interpretation
  • Parol evidence rule
  • Contract of adhesion
  • Integration clause
  • Contra proferentem
  • Title-transfer theory of contract
Excuses for non-performance
  • Mistake
  • Misrepresentation
  • Frustration of purpose
  • Impossibility
  • Impracticability
  • Illegality
  • Unclean hands
  • Unconscionability
  • Accord and satisfaction
Rights of third parties
  • Privity of contract
  • Assignment
  • Delegation
  • Novation
  • Third-party beneficiary
Breach of contract
  • Anticipatory repudiation
  • Cover
  • Exclusion clause
  • Efficient breach
  • Deviation
  • Fundamental breach
Remedies
  • Specific performance
  • Liquidated damages
  • Penal damages
  • Rescission
Quasi-contractual obligations
  • Promissory estoppel
  • Quantum meruit
Implied In Fact Contracts
  • Implied In Fact
Related areas of law
  • Conflict of laws
  • Commercial law
Other common law areas
  • Tort law
  • Property law
  • Wills, trusts and estates
  • Criminal law
  • Evidence

Liability under the principle of unjust enrichment is wholly independent of liability for wrongdoing. Claims in unjust enrichment do not depend upon proof of any wrong. However, it is possible that on a single set of facts a claim based on unjust enrichment and a claim based on a wrong may both be available. A claim based on unjust enrichment always results in an obligation to make restitution. A claim based on a wrong always results in an obligation to make compensation but may additionally result in an obligation to make restitution. For discussion of restitution for wrongs, see the page on restitution.

At common law, a claim based on unjust enrichment can be submitted to five stages of analysis. These can be summarized in the form of the following questions:

  1. Was the defendant enriched?
  2. Was the enrichment at the expense of the claimant?
  3. Was the enrichment unjust?
  4. Does the defendant have a defense?
  5. What remedies are available to the claimant?

Read more about this topic:  Unjust Enrichment

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