X. Quasi-contracts

XIV. QUASI-CONTRACTS (Civil Code, arts. 2142-2143)

A. Negotiorum Gestio (Civil Code, arts. 2144-2153)

B. Solutio Indebiti (Civil Code, arts. 2154-2163)

C. Other Quasi-Contracts (Civil Code, arts. 2164-2175)

Quasi-Contract

A juridical relation arising from lawful, voluntary, and unilateral acts based on the principle that no one shall be unjustly enriched or benefited at the expense of another. (Art. 2142, NCC).

It is not an implied contract. There is no meeting of the minds between parties. A juridical relation is created by a quasi-contract so that nobody shall enrich themselves at the expense of another. (Sta. Maria, 2017)

QUASI-CONTRACTS (OBLIGATIONS EX QUASICONTRACTU)

Definition

Under Article 2142 of the Civil Code, certain lawful, voluntary, and unilateral acts create a quasi-contract so that no one is unjustly enriched or benefited at another’s expense. The resulting juridical relation calls for indemnity.

Distinguished from Other Sources of Obligations

• The act must be lawful, unlike a delict.
• The act must be voluntary, unlike a quasi-delict, which is based on fault or negligence.
• The act must be unilateral, unlike a contract, which is based on agreement.