Restitution is the process by which land and other property that was forcibly removed from its owners is restored or compensation of equivalent value provided.

In contract law, restitution damages are damages assessed on the breaching party which attempt to place the parties in the status quo ante, that is, in the position the parties were in before the contract had been entered into.

There is also an equitable concept of restitution as a remedy: even in the absence of a binding contract, a party who has received money, property or something else of value due to mistake or fraud may be required to give back the benefits conferred upon the party in order to avoid unjust enrichment.

See also

• Land reform