equitable
Fair to everyone, without giving one person or group better treatment than others.
Fair and impartial in the way people are treated or in the way resources, opportunities, or responsibilities are shared.
Used in law to talk about rights or actions that come from equity (fairness rules in courts), not just from written law.
Relating to or arising from the system of equity in law, especially concerning rights, interests, and remedies that are recognized by courts of equity rather than by strict legal rules.
- Base: equitable
equitable access
1fair access for all groups
A situation where all people or groups have a fair chance to use or get a service or resource.
- The government is working to ensure equitable access to high-speed internet.
- Equitable access to education is a key goal of the reform plan.
equitable distribution
1fair, not strictly equal, division
The fair sharing of money, property, or other things, which may not be exactly equal but is meant to be just for everyone involved.
- The court ordered an equitable distribution of the couple's assets after the divorce.
- Policymakers are debating how to achieve equitable distribution of healthcare funding.
equitable estoppel
1equity rule based on reliance
In law, a rule that stops someone from going back on their word if another person has trusted that promise and changed their behavior because of it.
- The tenant argued that equitable estoppel prevented the landlord from raising the rent.
- Equitable estoppel can apply when a clear promise leads to reasonable reliance and harm.
equitable interest
1equity-based right in property
In law, a type of ownership right in property that a person has, even if their name is not on the official title.
- She has an equitable interest in the house because she paid most of the purchase price.
- The trust gives the children an equitable interest in the family property.
equitable lien
1equity-created claim over property
In law, a right given by a court over someone's property to make sure a debt or duty is paid, even without a normal legal lien document.
- The contractor was granted an equitable lien over the property until he was fully paid.
- An equitable lien can arise where one party improves another's property in reliance on a promise.
equitable mortgage
1mortgage recognized in equity only
In law, a mortgage that a court accepts as real, even if all normal legal steps were not correctly followed.
- The court found that an equitable mortgage existed based on the parties' conduct.
- An informal charge over the property may still be treated as an equitable mortgage.
equitable relief
1court-ordered non-monetary relief
In law, help from a court that tells someone to do something or not do something, instead of just giving money.
- The plaintiffs sought equitable relief to prevent the company from using their data.
- Equitable relief is appropriate when money alone cannot fix the harm.
equitable remedy
1non-monetary court remedy in equity
In law, an order from a court that tells a person to do something or to stop doing something, instead of only paying money.
- Specific performance is an equitable remedy that forces a party to complete a contract.
- The judge found that damages were inadequate and granted an equitable remedy.
equitable society
1society with fair opportunities
A society where people are treated fairly and have fair chances, no matter their background.
- They are working toward a more equitable society through education reform.
- An equitable society reduces gaps between rich and poor.
equitable solution
1solution fair to all parties
A result or answer to a problem that is fair for everyone involved.
- Mediators helped the two sides reach an equitable solution.
- Finding an equitable solution to the budget cuts took weeks of negotiation.
equitable title
1beneficial ownership without legal title
A kind of ownership right in law where a person has the benefit of owning property, but another person holds the official legal title.
- Under the contract for deed, the buyer holds equitable title until the final payment is made.
- Trust beneficiaries often have equitable title to the assets in the trust.
equitable treatment
1fair way of treating people
Treating people in a fair way, without giving one person or group better treatment than others.
- The company is committed to equitable treatment of all employees.
- Laws were introduced to guarantee equitable treatment regardless of gender.