What is "quantum valebant"

n. (context obsolete English) A lawsuit to recover payment for goods that have been sold and delivered.

Quantum valebant is a Latin phrase meaning "as much as they were worth." It is a common count at law very similar to quantum meruit. The two legal actions differ only in that quantum meruit is used to recover the reasonable value of services rendered, while quantum valebant is used to recover the reasonable value of goods sold and delivered. This count is considered a type of assumpsit.