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quantum meruit :: legal definition


Quantum meruit - : (kwahn-tuhm mare-ooh-it) n. Latin for "as much as he deserved," the actual value of services performed. Quantum meruit determines the amount to be paid for services when no contract exists or when there is doubt as to the amount due for the work performed but done under circumstances when payment could be expected. This may include a physician's emergency aid, legal work when there was no contract, or evaluating the amount due when outside forces cause a job to be terminated unexpectedly. If a person sues for payment for services in such circumstances the judge or jury will calculate the amount due based on time and usual rate of pay or the customary charge, based on quantum meruit by implying a contract existed.


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earnest payment :: n. a deposit paid to demonstrate commitment and to ... (liquidated) or committed damages.
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installment contract :: n. an agreement in which payments of money, delive ... n contract failure of consideration
labor and materials :: (time and materials) n. what some builders or repa ... track of actual labor hours worked.
liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence
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personal services :: n. in contract law, the talents of a person which ... his/her unique ability and product.
promise :: 1) n. a firm agreement to perform an act, refrain ... so: consideration contract covenant
retainer :: n. the advance payment to an attorney for services ... e stuck with extensive unpaid fees.
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence
service :: n. 1) paid work by another person, either by contr ... ersonal services service of process
subcontractor :: n. a person or business which has a contract (as a ... ependent contractor mechanic's lien

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Other Law Terms - Q

quantum meruit :: : (kwahn-tuhm mare-ooh-it) n. Latin for "as much a ... uit by implying a contract existed.
quash :: v. to annul or set aside. In law, a motion to quas ... s when the wrong person was served.
quasi :: : (kway-zeye, kwah-zee) adj., adv. from Latin for ... ve to be treated "as if" they were.
quasi community property :: n. in community property states, property acquired ... : community property palimony quasi
quasi contract :: n. a situation in which there is an obligation as ... fulfilled. See also: contract quasi
quasi corporation :: n. a business which has operated as a corporation ... poration de facto corporation quasi
quasi in rem :: adj. referring to a legal action which is primaril ... See also: in personam in rem quasi
quasi-criminal :: adj. a reference to a court's right to punish for ... defendant. See also: criminal quasi
quasi-judicial :: adj., adv. referring to the actions of an agency, ... -judicial. See also: judicial quasi
Queen's Bench :: n. 1) the highest court in Great Britain during th ... include close to 50 percent women.
query :: n. common lawyer lingo for a question to be answer ... ingo for a question to be answered.
question of fact :: n. in a lawsuit or criminal prosecution, an issue ... also: finding judge question of law
question of law :: n. an issue arising in a lawsuit or criminal prose ... udge question of fact trier of fact
qui tam action :: : (kwee tam) n. from Latin for "who as well," a la ... technical violations and/or errors.
quid pro quo :: : (kwid proh kwoh) n. Latin for "something for som ... this deal?" See also: consideration
quiet enjoyment :: n. the right to enjoy and use premises (particular ... damages for it. See also: nuisance
quiet title action :: n. a lawsuit to establish a party's title to real ... opposition. See also: notice title
quit :: v. to leave, used in a written notice to a tenant ... o: notice to quit unlawful detainer
quitclaim deed :: n. a real property deed which transfers (conveys) ... also: convey deed grant deed title
quo warranto :: (kwoh wahr-rahn-toe) n. the name for a writ (order ... ticles). See also: corporation writ