Theories of unjust enrichment

Theories of unjust enrichment explain when one person unfairly benefits at another’s expense. Essentially, if someone receives a benefit that they should not rightfully keep—such as money or property gained through mistake, fraud, or without legal right—they may be required to return it. The core idea is fairness: no one should be unjustly enriched at the expense of others. Legal theories, like contract or property law, underpin these claims, emphasizing that enrichment must be unjust for a court to order restitution or compensation.