What Is Estoppel Mean?

Estoppel is a judicial device in common law legal systems whereby a court may prevent or "estop" a person from making assertions or from going back on his or her word; the person being sanctioned is "estopped". Estoppel may prevent someone from bringing a particular claim.

What is estoppel in simple terms?

Estoppel is a legal principle that prevents someone from arguing something or asserting a right that contradicts what they previously said or agreed to by law. It is meant to prevent people from being unjustly wronged by the inconsistencies of another person's words or actions.

What is an example of an estoppel?

If the court has established in a criminal trial that someone is guilty of murder, the legal doctrine preventing the murderer from denying his guilt in a civil trial is an example of estoppel. An estoppel created by the failure to speak of a party who had an obligation to do so.