A principle which entitles the promissor to get compensation for the work done :

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 1:
The principle which entitles a person (the promisor) to recover a reasonable sum for the services already rendered, despite the absence of an enforceable express contract, is known as Quantum Meruit. This Latin phrase literally translates to "as much as one has earned" or "as much as one deserves." It is a fundamental concept under Quasi-Contracts or the law of restitution, designed to prevent the *unjust enrichment* of one party at the expense of another. When a person performs work for another at their request, and there is no agreed-upon price, or the contract is later discovered to be void, Quantum Meruit allows the court to award the fair market value of the services provided, ensuring the worker is compensated for the benefit conferred upon the other party.

The incorrect option is 2:
Consideration is a necessary ingredient for the formation of a valid contract, often referred to as the 'price' for which the promise of the other party is bought. It represents what each party gives up to the other (something of value) in exchange for the promise, which can be an act, abstinence, or a return promise. It is a concept related to the validity and enforceability of the agreement, and its presence is required *before* the contract can exist. Therefore, Consideration is a prerequisite for a contract, not a principle used for calculating or claiming compensation for work done where the express agreement for payment is missing or broken.

The incorrect option is 3:
Performance simply refers to the carrying out of the obligations under a contract, such as the completion of the promised work. It is the action or fulfillment of the contract terms by the parties. While compensation is the expected result of performance, the word "performance" itself denotes the *act* of completing the work, not the *principle* that legally entitles the party to payment. Performance is a stage in the life cycle of a contract and not a distinct legal remedy or rule for compensation.

The incorrect option is 4:
Implied Contracts is a broader category of contracts recognised by law, covering both contracts implied-in-fact (inferred from conduct) and contracts implied-in-law (quasi-contracts, created by law to prevent injustice). While *Quantum Meruit* is the specific *remedy* or *measure of damages* that arises under a quasi-contract or implied-in-fact contract to determine the reasonable value of services, it is not the compensation principle itself. Therefore, the more specific and legally precise term for the principle of compensation for work done is *Quantum Meruit*.