What is a quasi-contract?

A quasi-contract is best defined as a legal construct designed to prevent unjust enrichment. This occurs when one party benefits at the expense of another without a formal agreement in place. In the absence of a true contract, the law intervenes to impose an obligation on the party that received the benefit, ensuring fairness and equity. This construct allows courts to enforce a kind of contractual obligation even when the traditional elements of a contract—like mutual consent, consideration, and a legal purpose—are missing.

For instance, if a person receives emergency medical services while unconscious and unable to consent, they are still required to pay for those services to prevent the medical provider from being unjustly enriched at their expense. The principles behind quasi-contracts aim to uphold justice and prevent situations where one party could gain unfairly without compensating the other.

In contrast to the other choices, a quasi-contract does not involve an express promise or a written agreement, nor does it necessitate witnesses, as it seeks to correct an imbalance created by a lack of traditional contractual elements.