Lesson 1

Obligations Without Agreement

Obligations sans convention

Obligasyon san akò

Source: Code Henry

Introduction

Not every obligation is born from a contract. Titre XVIII addresses the obligations that arise without any agreement between the parties — from the authority of law itself, from managing someone else's affairs, or from the harm one person causes another. These "quasi-contracts" and delicts complete the Code Henry's system of obligations.
Toute obligation ne naît pas d'un contrat. Le Titre XVIII traite des obligations qui naissent sans aucune convention entre les parties — de l'autorité de la loi, de la gestion des affaires d'autrui, ou du dommage causé.
Se pa tout obligasyon ki fèt nan yon kontra. Tit XVIII trete obligasyon ki fèt san okenn akò ant pati yo — de otorite lalwa, de jesyon afè lòt moun, oswa de domaj yon moun koze.

Lesson Content

Articles 955–965: Quasi-Contracts

What Are Engagements Without Convention? (Article 955)

The Code Henry recognizes obligations that form without any convention. Some arise from the authority of law itself — like the obligations between neighbors, or those of tutors who must accept their appointed functions. Others arise from personal acts: quasi-contracts, delicts, and quasi-delicts.

Quasi-Contracts Defined (Article 956)

A quasi-contract is any engagement, whether toward a third party or between two parties, resulting from the purely voluntary act of a person. No agreement is needed — the act itself creates the obligation.

Managing Another's Affairs (Articles 957–960)

The most important quasi-contract is gestion d'affaires — voluntarily managing someone else's business. A person who takes charge of another's affairs without consent is bound to continue managing until the owner can take over, and to complete the task (Article 957). This applies whether the owner knew about the management or not.

If the owner dies during the management, the manager must continue until the heir can take over (Article 958). The manager must act as a "good father of the family" — but judges may moderate damages in light of the circumstances that led the person to take charge (Article 959). A manager who has administered well is indemnified for all personal commitments, reimbursed for useful and necessary expenses, and all obligations they contracted are fulfilled by the owner (Article 960).

Payment of the Undue (Articles 961–965)

Anyone who receives money not owed to them — whether by mistake or knowingly — must return it (Article 961). If a creditor receives payment from someone who mistakenly believes they are the debtor, the creditor must repay — unless they destroyed their proof of the real debt in reliance on the payment. In that case, the person who paid by mistake can pursue the real debtor (Article 962). But if the creditor acted in bad faith, they must repay the capital plus damages (Article 962).

A good-faith creditor who received an immovable or tangible movable unduly must return it in kind if it still exists, or pay its value if it perished through their fault (Article 963). A bad-faith possessor is liable even for loss by unforeseeable accident (Article 963). A person who sells another's property in good faith must return the price received, or the appraised value if the thing was sold below its worth (Article 964). The person receiving restitution must reimburse all useful expenses for the thing's preservation (Article 965).

Articles 955–965 : Quasi-contrats

Les quasi-contrats sont des engagements résultant du fait purement volontaire de l'homme (Article 956). La gestion d'affaires oblige le gérant à continuer jusqu'à ce que le propriétaire y pourvoie (Article 957). Tout paiement indu doit être restitué (Article 961). Le créancier de mauvaise foi est responsable même des cas fortuits (Article 963).

Atik 955–965: Kwazi-kontra

Kwazi-kontra se angajman ki rezilte de fè piman volontè moun (Atik 956). Jesyon afè oblije jeran an kontinye jiskaske pwopriyetè a ka pran swen (Atik 957). Tout peman ki pa dwe dwe restitye (Atik 961). Kreyansye move fwa responsab menm pou ka fòtui (Atik 963).

Primary Source Text

Article 955: "Il y a des engagemens qui se forment sans aucune convention, tant de la part de celui qui s'oblige, que de celui envers lequel on est obligé."
Article 955 : « Il y a des engagemens qui se forment sans aucune convention, tant de la part de celui qui s'oblige, que de celui envers lequel on est obligé. »
Atik 955: "Gen angajman ki fòme san okenn konvansyon, ni de pati moun ki oblije a, ni de pati moun anvè kilès yo oblije a."

Reflection

The concept of quasi-contracts reveals a profound truth: moral obligations exist even without formal agreements. If you step in to help your neighbor while they are away, the law recognizes your good deed and ensures you are not punished for it — but also holds you to the standard of a careful manager.
Le concept de quasi-contrat révèle une vérité profonde : les obligations morales existent même sans accord formel.
Konsèp kwazi-kontra revele yon verite pwofon: obligasyon moral egziste menm san akò fòmèl.

Life Lesson

Not every obligation comes with a signature. Sometimes life creates duties — and the law is wise enough to recognize them.
Toute obligation ne vient pas avec une signature. Parfois la vie crée des devoirs — et la loi est assez sage pour les reconnaître.
Se pa tout obligasyon ki vini ak yon siyati. Pafwa lavi kreye devwa — e lalwa ase saj pou rekonèt yo.

Quiz

1. What is a quasi-contract? Qu'est-ce qu'un quasi-contrat ? Kisa yon kwazi-kontra ye?

2. If someone voluntarily manages another person's affairs, what are they obligated to do? Si quelqu'un gère volontairement les affaires d'autrui, à quoi est-il obligé ? Si yon moun volontèman jere afè yon lòt moun, kisa yo oblije fè?