Which statement best distinguishes an implied contract from a quasi-contract?

Which statement best distinguishes an implied contract from a quasi-contract?

• A. Implied contract is written; quasi contract is oral
• B. Implied contract is inferred from actions; quasi contract is a court-imposed remedy to prevent unjust enrichment
• C. Implied contract requires consideration; quasi contract does not
• D. Implied contract is invalid; quasi contract is valid

Answer: (B)

The main distinction is how the obligation arises. An implied contract is created by the parties’ conduct, showing they intend an agreement through their actions; the terms are inferred from what they do rather than from a written or spoken promise. A quasi-contract, on the other hand, isn’t based on any agreement at all—it’s a court-imposed remedy to prevent unjust enrichment when no contract exists. For example, if someone provides a service and the other party benefits, a court may require payment of a reasonable value to avoid unfairness, even though there was no contract. That’s why this statement best captures the difference: implied contracts are inferred from actions, while a quasi-contract is a judicial remedy to prevent unjust enrichment. The other options don’t align with this core distinction.

The main distinction is how the obligation arises. An implied contract is created by the parties’ conduct, showing they intend an agreement through their actions; the terms are inferred from what they do rather than from a written or spoken promise. A quasi-contract, on the other hand, isn’t based on any agreement at all—it’s a court-imposed remedy to prevent unjust enrichment when no contract exists. For example, if someone provides a service and the other party benefits, a court may require payment of a reasonable value to avoid unfairness, even though there was no contract.

That’s why this statement best captures the difference: implied contracts are inferred from actions, while a quasi-contract is a judicial remedy to prevent unjust enrichment. The other options don’t align with this core distinction.