header-logo header-logo

Unjust enrichment: an all-or-nothing wager?

24 March 2023 / Sarah Allan , Chris Ward
Issue: 8018 / Categories: Features , Commercial
printer mail-detail
115857
Barton v Morris: Sarah Allan & Chris Ward consider the Supreme Court’s reminder that ‘unjust enrichment mends no-one’s bargain’
  • The Supreme Court’s decision in Barton v Morris is expected to be treated as a leading case on the interaction between the law of unjust enrichment and law of contract.
  • A key takeaway is that oral contracts for valuable commercial bargains are to be discouraged, as are claimants who would look to buttress an ailing contractual litigation by alleging a right of action in unjust enrichment.

Sales agents and brokers may often achieve a significant return for a modest work output, but they also invest time and effort facilitating introductions and negotiations that do not proceed to fruition. Wasted work is a fact of life for those operating on commission.

Of course, it is open to commission agents to agree terms stipulating precisely when and how commission is earned, thereby resolving ambiguity, and reducing the risk of fruitless endeavours. In this regard, the story behind Barton and others v Morris and another [2023] UKSC 3, [2023] All

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

A good book, a glass of chilled Albarino, and being creative for pleasure help Liz McGrath balance the rigours of complex bundles and being Head of Chambers

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Firm welcomes director in its financial services financial regulatory team

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn Premium Content

Partner appointment in firm’s equity capital markets team

NEWS

Law school partners with charity to give free assistance to litigants in need

Magic circle firms, in-house legal departments and litigation firms alike are embracing more flexible ways to manage surges of workloads, the success of Flex Legal has shown

Walkers and runners will take in some of London’s finest views at the 16th annual charity event

Law school partners with charity to give free assistance to litigants in need

Could the Labour government usher in a new era for digital assets, ask Keith Oliver, head of international, and Amalia Neenan FitzGerald, associate, Peters & Peters, in this week’s NLJ

back-to-top-scroll