Definition
A court remedy that doesn't involve money damages, such as injunctions, specific performance, or rescission. It's what you seek when throwing money at the problem won't fix it, and you need the court to actually make someone do (or stop doing) something.
Example Usage
The homeowner sought equitable relief in the form of an injunction to stop the neighbor from building a fence that violated the property easement.
Origin
From courts of equity in English law, which developed alongside courts of law to provide remedies that legal damages couldn't address
Fun Fact
To get equitable relief, you must show that legal remedies (money) are inadequate, which is why courts often say equity is available only when there's no adequate remedy at law.
Related Terms
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