Estoppel meaning

Estoppel is a legal principle that prohibits a party from denying or asserting something inconsistent with a previous statement or act.


Estoppel definitions

Word backwards leppotse
Part of speech The word "estoppel" is a noun.
Syllabic division es-top-pel
Plural The plural form of the word "estoppel" is "estoppels."
Total letters 8
Vogais (2) e,o
Consonants (4) s,t,p,l

Estoppel is a legal concept used to prevent someone from asserting their rights or facts that are inconsistent with a previous position or conduct. It is based on the idea that it would be unjust for a person to benefit from a position they previously took if it would harm another party’s interests.

Types of Estoppel

There are several types of estoppel, including promissory estoppel, equitable estoppel, and collateral estoppel. Promissory estoppel occurs when a promise is made that leads to reliance on that promise, while equitable estoppel prevents a party from asserting their legal rights if it would be unfair due to their prior conduct.

Purpose of Estoppel

The main purpose of estoppel is to prevent injustice or fraud. It ensures that parties are held accountable for their words and actions, even if it means they cannot assert their rights in a particular situation. Estoppel is often used to protect individuals from unfairness in legal proceedings.

How Estoppel Works

Estoppel is typically invoked when someone has acted in a way that suggests a certain state of affairs or legal relationship. If that person later tries to deny or change their position, estoppel may prevent them from doing so. This is intended to uphold the integrity of legal proceedings and prevent parties from taking advantage of others.

Consistency and reliance are crucial elements of estoppel. Parties must have relied on the initial position taken by the other party, and it would be unfair or unjust for the party to change their stance now. Estoppel is an important tool in ensuring fairness and justice in legal matters.


Estoppel Examples

  1. The doctrine of estoppel prevents a party from denying something they previously stated as true.
  2. In contract law, promissory estoppel can make a promise binding, even if not supported by consideration.
  3. Equitable estoppel may prevent a party from asserting their legal rights if it would be unfair to do so.
  4. Estoppel by deed occurs when a party is prohibited from denying the truth of a statement made in a deed they signed.
  5. Judicial estoppel prevents a party from taking contradictory positions in different legal proceedings.
  6. Estoppel can be used as a defense in a lawsuit to prevent someone from asserting a particular claim.
  7. Issue estoppel, also known as collateral estoppel, prevents a party from re-litigating an issue that has already been decided.
  8. Estoppel certificates are commonly used in real estate transactions to confirm certain facts about a property's lease.
  9. Estoppel letters are often required by lenders to verify the financial status of a borrower.
  10. Estoppel clauses in contracts can limit a party's ability to later dispute certain terms or conditions.


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  • Updated 27/04/2024 - 06:28:14