Quantum Meruit - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition quantum-meruit

Definition :

Quantum meruit (so much as he has earned), an action on the case, express or implied, grounded on a promise to pay the plaintiff for doing a thing as much as he has earned or merited. The term is still in use to meet the cases where a plaintiff failing to prove a special contract to pay him a particular amount recovers what may be considered to be the value of his work, in which case he is said to recover on a quantum meruit [see Craven Ellis v. Canons Ltd., (1936) 2 KB 403]. As to when a plaintiff should base his claim on a special contract and when on a quantum meruit, see also Cutter v. Powell, 6 TR 320; 3 RR 185; and notes in Smith's Leading Cases thereunder. See also Cutler v. Powell, 6 TR 320 3 RR 185

A claim on a quantum meruit may be specially indorsed under R.S.C. Ord. III., r. 6; Lagos v. Gunwaldt, (1910)1 KB 41.

Means as much as he has deserved. The reasonable value of services; damages awarded in an amount considered reasonable to compensate a person who had rendered services in a quasicontractual relationship, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 1255.