Legal Definitions - enrichment

Enrichment refers to the receipt of a benefit. It can be justifiable or unjustifiable.

Unjust enrichment occurs when someone retains a benefit that was given to them by another person, without offering compensation, when compensation was expected. It can also occur when someone receives a benefit from another person that was not intended as a gift and is not legally justifiable. In these cases, the beneficiary must make restitution or recompense.

• If a contractor is paid for a job but fails to complete the work, they have been unjustly enriched and must return the payment.
• If someone finds a lost wallet and keeps the money inside, they have been unjustly enriched and must return the money to the owner.

These examples illustrate how someone can receive a benefit that they are not entitled to, and must make restitution to the rightful owner. This is the basis of the area of law dealing with unjustifiable benefits, or unjust enrichment.