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Simple English definitions for legal terms
estop
Read a random definition: breaking-bulk doctrine
A quick definition of estop:
Term: Estop
Definition: Estop means to stop someone from saying or doing something. In law, estoppel is a way to prevent someone from making a claim or argument. For example, if someone makes a promise and another person relies on that promise, the first person cannot later say that there was no promise. This is called promissory estoppel. In court, collateral estoppel prevents someone from re-litigating an issue that has already been decided.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: To estop means to prevent a party from asserting a claim, right, or argument. This is done through the process of estoppel, which is used by courts to prevent parties from making certain claims.
In contract law, promissory estoppel is used to prevent a party from claiming that no contract exists when another party has relied on a promise made by the first party. For example, if a company promises to pay an employee a certain amount of money, and the employee relies on that promise to make financial decisions, the company cannot later claim that no contract existed.
In civil and criminal law, collateral estoppel is used to prevent parties from re-litigating issues that have already been decided. For example, if a person is found not guilty of a crime, they cannot be tried again for the same crime based on the same evidence.
These examples illustrate how estoppel is used to prevent parties from making certain claims or arguments. It is a way to ensure fairness and prevent parties from taking advantage of others.