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Simple English definitions for legal terms
equitable estoppel
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A quick definition of equitable estoppel:
Equitable estoppel is a legal term that means the same thing as estoppel. Estoppel is when someone is prevented from denying something because they have acted in a way that led someone else to believe something else was true. Equitable estoppel is a type of estoppel that is used in situations where it would be unfair for someone to go back on their word or actions. For example, if someone promises to sell their car to someone else and that person relies on that promise by selling their own car, the first person cannot back out of the deal because it would be unfair to the second person.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Equitable estoppel is a legal principle that prevents a person from denying or asserting something contrary to what they previously said or did, if it would be unfair to allow them to do so. It is also known as estoppel by conduct or estoppel in pais.
Example: Let's say that a landlord tells their tenant that they can have a pet in their apartment, even though the lease agreement prohibits pets. The tenant relies on this representation and gets a pet. Later, the landlord tries to evict the tenant for violating the lease agreement. The tenant can use equitable estoppel as a defense, arguing that the landlord should be prevented from enforcing the lease provision because they led the tenant to believe that having a pet was allowed.
Explanation: In this example, the landlord's conduct created an expectation in the tenant that they could have a pet, even though the lease agreement said otherwise. It would be unfair for the landlord to go back on their word and evict the tenant for having a pet, after they had already allowed it. Equitable estoppel prevents the landlord from doing so.