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 Wyoming, the doctrine of unjust enrichment is recognized and applied by courts to address situations where one party has received a benefit unjustly at the expense of another, in the absence of a contractual agreement. This legal principle allows the aggrieved party to seek restitution for benefits that were not meant to be retained without payment. The Wyoming courts will consider whether it is equitable, just, and in good conscience for the recipient of the benefit to retain it without compensating the provider. The claim is not based on the presence of wrongdoing but rather on the equitable grounds that the recipient should not be unjustly enriched at the expense of another. The courts will look at the circumstances of each case to determine if an implied or quasi-contractual obligation exists, and if so, they may order restitution to prevent an unconscionable loss to the payor and to ensure that the payee does not profit unfairly. This doctrine is part of the state's common law and is used by courts to ensure fairness and justice in transactions that fall outside the scope of explicit contractual agreements.