Quasi contract Meaning and Definition
Quasi contract
Pronunciation
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A legal concept describing an unwritten agreement or contract implied by law, where one party makes a promise or performs an act that the other party is entitled to, even if no formal agreement was made.
Examples
- The court ruled that the company had a quasi-contractual obligation to compensate the vendors for the work done.
- The employee claimed that the employer had a quasi-contractual agreement to provide health insurance.
Synonyms
- Implied contract
- Restitution
Antonyms
- Void contract
- Unenforceable agreement
Additional Information
A quasi-contract can arise in various situations, such as where one party has made a promise or performed an act that the other party is entitled to, even if no formal agreement was made. This concept is often used in contract law to determine the obligations and entitlements of parties where a formal contract is missing or unclear.
In other cases, quasi-contracts can be used to determine the amount of compensation or restitution due to a party if they have been wrongfully disadvantaged.
Etymology
The term “quasi” comes from the Latin word “quasi,” meaning “almost” or “as if.” The concept of quasi-contracts has its roots in Roman law and has been developed further in modern contract law.
Usage Notes
When using the term “quasi-contract,” be aware that it is often used to describe situations where a formal agreement is lacking, but there is still an implied obligation or entitlement.
In general, quasi-contracts can be implied by law or custom, and they may involve unwritten agreements, implicit promises, or conduct that has created an obligation.
Cultural References
In literature, the concept of quasi-contracts has been explored in works such as “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, where the characters exchange gifts that have a quasi-contractual aspect to them.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
In everyday language, phrases like “an implied promise” or “a promise by inference” can be used to describe quasi-contracts.
Related Words or Phrases
Other related concepts include implied consent, estoppel, and constructive obligation.
Collocations
Collocations with “quasi-contract” include “implied,” “unwritten,” “Implicit,” “promissory,” and “contractual”。
Frequency of Use
Quasi-contracts are not as frequently used in everyday language as other legal concepts, but they can appear in legal documents, contracts, and court decisions.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “quasi-contract” include “quisi contract,” “quasar contract,” and “quasy contract.” Make sure to double-check your spelling to avoid errors.