Quantum Meruit
Literal meaning: “As much as one has deserved”
What does the Latin term "Quantum Meruit" mean in law?
Quantum meruit is an equitable doctrine that allows a party to recover the reasonable value of services rendered or materials provided when no express contract exists or when a contract has been breached or is unenforceable. It operates as a quasi-contractual remedy to prevent unjust enrichment by compensating a party for the benefit conferred upon another. The measure of recovery is the fair market value of the services or goods provided, not the contract price. Courts apply this doctrine when one party has performed work at the request or with the knowledge of another and it would be inequitable to allow the recipient to retain the benefit without payment.
Source: Contracts · Legal Latin
Legal Definition
Quantum meruit is an equitable doctrine that allows a party to recover the reasonable value of services rendered or materials provided when no express contract exists or when a contract has been breached or is unenforceable. It operates as a quasi-contractual remedy to prevent unjust enrichment by compensating a party for the benefit conferred upon another. The measure of recovery is the fair market value of the services or goods provided, not the contract price. Courts apply this doctrine when one party has performed work at the request or with the knowledge of another and it would be inequitable to allow the recipient to retain the benefit without payment.
How It's Used
Quantum meruit claims arise frequently in construction disputes where a contractor performs work beyond the original contract scope, or when an employment relationship ends before a project is completed. Attorneys also invoke quantum meruit when seeking fees for work performed on a case that settles or when a client terminates representation mid-engagement.
Example Sentences
After the homeowner terminated the renovation contract halfway through, the contractor filed a quantum meruit claim to recover the fair value of work already completed.
The court awarded the attorney fees on a quantum meruit basis after the client discharged her before the contingency fee arrangement could be fulfilled.
Because the oral agreement was unenforceable under the statute of frauds, the plaintiff pursued recovery under a quantum meruit theory.