Includes bibliographical references (pages 323-335) and index.
Pt. I. Introduction -- 1. Setting the Scene -- 1.1. Unjust factors -- 1.2. The scheme of this book -- 1.3. Absence of consideration -- 1.4. Mistake of law and restitution for nullity -- 2. Essential Elements of German Law -- 2.1. The influence of Roman law -- 2.2. A brief history of the codification -- 2.3. Characteristics of the BGB -- 2.4. The German law of contract -- 2.5. The German law of unjust enrichment -- 2.6. Conclusion -- Pt. II. Mistake -- 3. The Basis of Restitution for Mistake -- 3.1. Why do mistakes trigger restitution? -- 3.2. Changes of mind: manufactured and 'spent' mistakes -- 3.3. What is a mistake? -- 3.4. Restrictions on mistake-based restitution -- 3.5. Categorising mistakes -- 3.6. Conclusion -- 4. Mistake in German Law -- 4.1. Mistakes of law and fact -- 4.2. The role of mistake in the law of contract generally -- 4.3. Mistaken gifts -- 4.4. Mistake and the law of unjust enrichment -- 4.5. Conclusion -- 5. Mistake in English Law -- 5.1. Mistakes in contract and unjust enrichment -- 5.2. Relevant mistakes in the law of unjust enrichment -- 5.3. Conclusion -- Pt. III. Failure of Consideration -- 6. Failure of Consideration in Contractual Cases in Germany -- 6.1. Rucktritt and failure of consideration -- 6.2. Historical development of the rules -- 6.3. The availability and measure of restitution -- 6.4. Conclusion -- 7. Failure of Consideration in Contractual Cases in England -- 7.1. Introduction -- 7.2. The reciprocity of contractual performances and 'total failure' -- 7.3. The relationship between contract and restitution -- 7.4. Failure of consideration as a contractual principle? -- 7.5. Conclusion -- 8. Non-Contractual Failure of Consideration in Germany -- 8.1. Roman roots of the condictio ob rem -- 8.2. The drafting of the BGB -- 8.3. Modem views of the condictio ob rem -- 8.4. Conclusion -- 9. Non-Contractual Failure of Consideration in England -- 9.1. Introduction -- 9.2. Hobhouse J's view of failure of consideration -- 9.3. Failure of basis: a principled approach -- 9.4. Cases at law: failure of consideration -- 9.5. Cases in equity: resulting trusts -- failure of purpose -- 9.6. Integrating Equity -- 9.7. Lord Mansfield and the condictio causa data causa non secuta -- 9.8. Conclusion -- Pt. IV. The Condictio Indebiti -- 10. The Role of Policy -- 10.1. The place of policy-motivated restitution in Birks's taxonomy -- 10.2. Incapacity -- 10.3. Illegality -- 10.4. Ultra vires demands -- 10.5. Policy and nullity -- 10.6. Conclusion -- 11. Absence of Consideration in German Law: A General Cause of Action in Unjust Enrichment? -- 11.1. The Roman roots of [section] 812 I -- 11.2. The early development of German enrichment law -- 11.3. The emergence of modern German enrichment law -- 11.4. Development and acceptance of the new typology -- 11.5. Critics of the modern typology -- 11.6. Conclusion -- 12. Absence of Consideration in English Law -- 12.1. Absence of consideration: a look at authority -- 12.2. Absence of consideration in the light of the German experience -- 12.3. Conclusion -- 13. The Canadian Experience -- 13.1. The matrimonial case law -- 13.2. Pettkus v Becker -- the right way forward? -- Pt. V. Limiting the Incidence of Restitution -- 14. 'Just Factors' -- 14.1. Formalities -- 14.2. Natural obligations -- 14.3. Conclusion -- 15. The Defence of Change of Position -- 15.1. The English defence of change of position -- 15.2. The German disenrichment defence in [section] 818 III -- 15.3. The future development of the English defence -- 15.4. Conclusion -- 16. Conclusion -- 16.1. Common law and civilian models of unjust enrichment -- 16.2. The unjust factor 'mistake' -- 16.3. The unjust factor 'failure of consideration' -- 16.4. The use of comparative law: transplanting doctrines and structures -- 16.5. The availability of restitution -- 16.6. The proper role of comparative law -- App. Translation of Some BGB Provisions.
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This book contrasts two competing models of unjust enrichment liability: the common law model and the civil law model. The former bases restitution on concrete, pragmatic 'unjust factors', rendering an enrichment unjust in the eyes of the law, while the latter operates with the negative requirement that restitution will follow if an enrichment is not supported by a 'legal ground' or 'juristic reason'. The common law of unjust enrichment is a very young subject, while its civil law counterpart is based on two millennia of development. Should English law therefore accept that the civil law model is superior and adopt an anglicised version of 'legal ground' reasoning? This is indeed suggested by German commentators, and the English case law seems to be moving English enrichment law in that direction. This book considers such arguments by examining the reasons for restitution in English and German law.