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Simple English definitions for legal terms
legal estoppel
Read a random definition: Regulation FD
A quick definition of legal estoppel:
Legal estoppel is a rule that prevents someone from making a claim or denying a fact that contradicts what they have said or done before, or what has been established as true by law. It can also prevent someone from relitigating an issue. There are different types of estoppel, such as equitable estoppel, which prevents someone from taking unfair advantage of another person, and promissory estoppel, which allows a promise to be enforced even if there was no consideration. Estoppel can arise from a deed, a record, a misrepresentation, or even silence.A more thorough explanation:
Legal estoppel is a legal concept that prevents a person from making a claim or assertion that contradicts what they have previously said or done, or what has been established as true by law. It can also prevent the relitigation of issues.
For example, if someone signs a contract stating that they will not sue a company for any reason, they are legally estopped from later suing the company. Another example is if a person makes a false statement that induces another person to believe something and that results in that person's reasonable and detrimental reliance on the belief, the person who made the false statement is estopped from denying it later.
Legal estoppel can be used as an affirmative defense alleging good-faith reliance on a misleading representation and an injury or detrimental change in position resulting from that reliance.
Overall, legal estoppel is a legal principle that prevents a person from contradicting themselves or established facts, and can be used as a defense in certain situations.