Legal Definitions - action for money had and received

Action for money had and received is a type of legal action where a plaintiff can recover money paid to the defendant. This money is usually recoverable because it was paid by mistake or under compulsion, or because the consideration was insufficient. For example, if a person pays for a service that was not provided, they can bring an action for money had and received to recover the payment.

Another example is if a person pays a debt that was already paid, they can bring an action for money had and received to recover the payment. This type of action is based on the principle of unjust enrichment, which means that a person should not be allowed to keep money that they did not earn or deserve.