The doctrine of unjust enrichment applies the principles of restitution to disputes that are not governed by a contract between the parties. It characterizes the result of a failure to make restitution under circumstances that give rise to an implied or quasi-contractual obligation to return those benefits.

The courts describe this claim in general principles. For example, courts have stated that a claim for unjust enrichment seeks to restore money where equity and good conscience require restitution; it is not premised on wrongdoing, but seeks to determine to which party, in equity, justice, and law, the money belongs; and it seeks to prevent unconscionable loss to the payor and unjust enrichment to the payee.

Because recovery based on unjust enrichment of another party relies on the court's sense of fairness or equity rather than the law, it is often referred to as the equitable doctrine of unjust enrichment.

In Utah, the doctrine of unjust enrichment is recognized and applied by courts when one party has received a benefit unjustly at the expense of another, and there is no contractual agreement governing the transaction between the parties. This doctrine is based on principles of equity and restitution, aiming to prevent one party from being unjustly enriched at the expense of another. Utah courts will consider claims for unjust enrichment to determine whether, under the circumstances, it is equitable and just for the recipient of the benefit to retain it or whether they have an implied obligation to provide restitution. The claim is not based on any wrongdoing but on the equitable principle that it is unfair for one party to retain benefits without compensating the other when there is no legal contract. The courts will look at the specifics of each case to decide if restitution is warranted to correct an unjust enrichment situation.