Equitable Estoppel Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Equitable Estoppel.

Equitable Estoppel (noun)

Equitable Estoppel is a legal doctrine in which a person is barred from denying or asserting certain facts or rights due to their prior acts or omissions, particularly when these actions have misled another person who has acted upon them. This principle prevents unfairness that might arise from allowing that person to contradict their previous behavior. For instance, if one person lies about a significant fact and another person makes decisions based on that lie, the liar may be prevented (or "estopped") from later telling the truth to harm the deceived person.