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Unjust enrichment in contract law refers to a legal principle that prevents one party from benefiting at the expense of another without providing compensation. This concept is rooted in the idea of fairness and equity; if one party receives a benefit under circumstances that would be considered unjust or inequitable, the law may intervene to ensure that the party who conferred the benefit is compensated.

In the context of contracts, unjust enrichment often arises when there is no formal contract in place, or when a contract does not cover the situation. For instance, if one party performs a service or provides a good with the expectation of payment, but the other party fails to pay, the first party may seek restitution based on unjust enrichment principles. They would argue that it is unfair for the second party to retain the benefit of the service or product without compensating the provider.

This principle applies in various scenarios, such as when goods are delivered by mistake, or services are rendered under the assumption of a contract that does not ultimately exist or is unenforceable. By ensuring that one party does not unfairly benefit at the expense of another, unjust enrichment serves to promote justice and equity in contractual relationships.