UNJUST ENRICHMENT DOCTRINE

A legal principle where someone who received a benefit which they did not deserve should not be able to retain the benefit without compensation to the party providing the enrichment. A concept of fairness and equity. A person who realizes that a paitner is painting the wrong car but stands silent allowing the painter to finish the job will not be able to retain the benefit without paying the painter. The recipient of the benefit had the opportunity to prevent the unjust enrichment.