Quasi Contract Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Quasi Contract, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Quasi Contract?

(n) A quasi contract is the existence of a contract which is not legitimately done but the terms are accepted and followed as if there is a legitimate contract. Many of the casual jobs are quasi contracts as such though it is not there it is apparently present and accepted by the parties

History and Meaning of Quasi Contract

A quasi contract, also known as an implied-in-law contract, is a legal concept in which the parties involved do not have a written contract but one will be assumed by a court. This type of contract can come into existence when there is no legal obligation between the parties, but there is an implied agreement, and one party has received a benefit. The court will then impose an obligation on the party receiving the benefit to pay for it.

Quasi contracts are not true contracts, but are a way for courts to provide relief when there is an injustice by allowing the party who conferred the benefit to be compensated.

Examples of Quasi Contract

  1. A homeowner mistakenly pays a contractor twice for a renovation project. The contractor has a quasi-contractual obligation to return the extra payment to the homeowner.
  2. A newspaper mistakenly publishes a paid advertisement twice. The advertiser has a quasi-contractual obligation to pay for only one advertisement.
  3. A landlord rents out an apartment that was intended for another tenant. The actual tenant has a quasi-contractual right to occupy the apartment and the landlord has a quasi-contractual right to receive rent payments.

Legal Terms Similar to Quasi Contract

  1. Unjust Enrichment - A legal doctrine that allows for a plaintiff to receive compensation when there is no contract or agreement between the parties, but one party has received a benefit.
  2. Quantum Meruit - A legal term meaning "as much as he deserved," which allows for a party to receive compensation for services rendered when there is no contract in place.
  3. Estoppel - A legal principle that prevents a party from denying the truth of a statement or a fact when they have induced another party to rely on that statement or fact.