Final answer:
A quasi-contract makes an agreement enforceable when there are benefits received without a formal contract. Factors for enforceability include acceptance of services, expectation of payment, and the equity principle that prevents unjust enrichment.
Step-by-step explanation:
What factors make an agreement enforceable under the principle of quasi-contract? A quasi-contract, also known as an implied-in-law contract, is a legal construct that obligates individuals or entities to pay for certain services or materials under circumstances where no actual written or verbal contract exists. The law creates a quasi-contractual obligation to prevent what it deems unjust enrichment, where one party benefits unfairly at the expense of another.
The enforceability of a quasi-contract depends on several factors. First, there must be a clear acceptance of services or materials by the party being charged, implying an underlying notion that these should be paid for. Second, the benefitted party would have reasonably been expected to pay for the services or materials under the circumstances. Third, the party seeking payment must not have volunteered the services or materials expecting to be a donation or free of charge. Moreover, the party that provided the services or materials did so with the expectation of being paid. Finally, the principle of equity is considered, under which it would be unfair if the providing party was not compensated.
These principles underlying quasi-contracts are essential to ensure those who provide valuable services and materials can seek recourse through the legal system when no formal agreement covers their arrangement, reinforcing a society's contractual and property rights and contributing to economic stability and growth.