Unjust Enrichment in United States

Practical Information

Note: Some of this information was last updated in 1982

A principle in the law of contracts whereby the law creates an obligation to repay in cases where money, property, or services were obtained by one person at the expense of another person. That one person should not in good conscience be allowed to keep what was obtained at another’s expense.

(Revised by Ann De Vries)

What is Unjust Enrichment?

For a meaning of it, read Unjust Enrichment in the Legal Dictionary here. Browse and search more U.S. and international free legal definitions and legal terms related to Unjust Enrichment.

Unjust enrichment meaning

Unjust enrichment occurs where a defendant has wrongfully profited at plaintiff’s expense. There would clearly be a remedy at equity for unjust enrichment. Statutes may also fashion legal remedies. The court regards the unjust enrichment as held in constructive trust by the defendant.

To prove unjust enrichment plaintiff must show a deprivation of their property corresponding to an enrichment, that is an augmentation in the plaintiff’s wealth without however any legal reason for that enrichment.

Tulalip Shores, Inc. v. Mortland, 9 Wash. App. 271, 511 P.2d 1402, 1404.
Hummel v. Hummel, 133 Ohio St. 520, 14 N.E.2d 923, 927.

Meaning of Unjust Enrichment

In plain or simple terms, Unjust Enrichment means: The principle that one person should not enrich himself at another’s expense, but should have to pay.