Opinion ID: 774014
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The measure of restitution

Text: 17 There are two alternative measures of relief in restitution. The first is the value of the benefits received by the defendant due to the plaintiff's performance. The second is the cost of the plaintiff's performance, which includes both the value of the benefits provided to the defendant and the plaintiff's other costs incurred as a result of its performance under the contract. See Acme Process Equip. Co. v. United States, 347 F.2d 509, 530 (Ct. Cl. 1965), rev'd on other grounds, 385 U.S. 138 (1966) (As the best means of restoring the status quo ante, cost of performance is often used.). 18 The government argues on its cross-appeal that the trial court's calculation of the award was improper because it was based upon the value of the benefits that the government received from Landmark's performance under the contract. The government argues that, under Acme, an award against the government can only be based upon the cost of performance standard. We find nothing in Acme to support the government's position, and even assuming, arguendo, that this court's predecessor had so held in Acme, that holding was overruled by Mobil Oil. There, the Court held that the plaintiffs were entitled, under restitution, to repayment of the benefits they conferred upon the government in performance of the contract. Mobil Oil, 530 U.S. at 2438 ([T]he Government must give the companies their money back.). In any event, the government's argument is irrelevant with respect to Landmark's initial contribution because the amount of the award would be identical under either standard. 19