condictio

In Roman law, a condictio was a formal claim for something, initially for a specific sum of money, but later extended to include specific items or damages. It was a legal action to prevent unjust enrichment, meaning it was used to recover something that was unfairly gained.12

There were specific types of condictio:
* Condictio indebiti: This action allowed for the recovery of money paid by mistake, particularly when the payment was not actually owed.32
* Condictio ex lege: This was an action used to enforce a right or duty established by a statute when no other specific remedy was available.4

These actions were part of the broader Roman legal system that evolved from private vengeance to state-enforced compensation and contract law.2