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unclean hands :: legal definition


Unclean hands - n. a legal doctrine which is a defense to a complaint, which states that a party who is asking for a judgment cannot have the help of the court if he/she has done anything unethical in relation to the subject of the lawsuit. Thus, if a defendant can show the plaintiff had "unclean hands," the plaintiff's complaint will be dismissed or the plaintiff will be denied judgment. Unclean hands is a common "affirmative defense" pleaded by defendants and must be proved by the defendant. Example: Hank Hardnose sues Grace Goodenough for breach of contract for failure to pay the full amount for construction of an addition to her house. Goodenough proves that Hardnose had shown her faked estimates from subcontractors to justify his original bid to Goodenough.

See also: affirmative defense and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

affirmative defense :: n. part of an answer to a charge or complaint in w ... lp the defendant. See also: defense
answer :: n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant ... emurrer general denial verification
attachment :: n. the seizing of money or property prior to getti ... bond. See also: writ of attachment
bill of particulars :: n. a written itemization of claims which a defenda ... the factual bases for the charges.
burden of proof :: n. the requirement that the plaintiff (the party b ... ence prima facie weight of evidence
clean hands doctrine :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
complainant :: n. a person or entity who begins a lawsuit by fili ... lso: complaint petitioner plaintiff
complaint :: n. the first document filed with the court (actual ... g prayer service of process summons
counterclaim :: n. a retaliatory claim by a defendant against a pl ... d. See also: answer cross-complaint
cross-complaint :: n. after a complaint has been filed against a defe ... g prayer service of process summons
default judgment :: n. if a defendant in a lawsuit fails to respond to ... See also: complaint default summons
defense :: n. 1) a general term for the effort of an attorney ... tiff. See also: affirmative defense
defense attorney :: n. 1) the attorney representing the defendant in a ... lso: defendant plaintiff's attorney
denial :: n. a statement in the defendant's answer to a comp ... ative defense answer general denial
dismiss :: v. the ruling by a judge that all or a portion (on ... nst that party. See also: dismissal
excusable neglect :: n. a legitimate excuse for the failure of a party ... See also: default default judgment
fictitious defendants :: n. when a party suing (plaintiff) is not sure if h ... are not permitted in federal cases.
forum non conveniens :: (for-uhm nahn cahn-vee-nee-ehns) n. Latin for a fo ... most convenient location for trial.
general denial :: n. a statement in an answer to a lawsuit or claim ... anguage. See also: answer complaint
joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint
last clear chance :: n. a rule of law in determining responsibility for ... contributory negligence negligence
liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence
motion for dismissal :: (non-suit) n. application by a defendant in a laws ... otion for nonsuit. See also: motion
new matter :: n. newly claimed facts or legal issues raised (bro ... ee also: affirmative defense answer
party :: n. 1) one of the participants in a lawsuit or othe ... y real party in interest respondent
plaintiff :: n. the party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a c ... lso: complaint defendant petitioner
plaintiff's attorney :: n. the attorney who represents a plaintiff (the su ... ee also: defense attorney plaintiff
prayer :: n. the specific request for judgment, relief and/o ... ee also: complaint default judgment
process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons
proof :: n. confirmation of a fact by evidence. In a trial, ... doubt preponderance of the evidence
proximate cause :: n. a happening which results in an event, particul ... also: intervening cause negligence
recoupment :: n. the right of a defendant in a lawsuit to demand ... ter, including outside the lawsuit.
service of process :: n. the delivery of copies of legal documents such ... by publication substituted service
setoff :: (offset) n. a claim by a defendant in a lawsuit th ... ee also: affirmative defense offset
speaking demurrer :: n. an attempt to introduce evidence during a heari ... the operation." See also: demurrer
summons :: n. a document issued by the court at the time a la ... use service service of process writ
trial :: n. the examination of facts and law presided over ... at a hearing held at a later time.

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - U

UCC-1 :: n. a financing agreement form for using personal p ... (UCC) adopted in almost all states.
ultimate fact :: n. in a trial, a conclusion of fact which is logic ... is not evidence. See also: evidence
ultra vires :: (uhl-trah veye-rehz) adj. Latin for "beyond powers ... it is issued. See also: corporation
ultrahazardous activity :: n. an action or process which is so inherently dan ... sional auto race on public streets.
unclean hands :: n. a legal doctrine which is a defense to a compla ... ough. See also: affirmative defense
unconscionable :: adj. referring to a contract or bargain which is s ... ee also: adhesion contract contract
unconstitutional :: adj. referring to a statute, governmental conduct, ... ee also: constitution Supreme Court
under the influence :: n. one of many phrases for being drunk on alcoholi ... See also: driving while intoxicated
underwrite :: v. 1) to agree to pay an obligation which may aris ... antee guarantor insurer underwriter
underwriter :: n. a company or person which/who underwrites an in ... ss or project. See also: underwrite
undisclosed principal :: n. a person who uses an agent for his/her negotiat ... dispute. See also: agent principal
undivided interest :: n. title to real property held by two or more pers ... y by the entirety tenancy in common
undue influence :: n. the amount of pressure which one uses to force ... ounder. See also: will will contest
unfair competition :: n. wrongful and/or fraudulent business methods to ... ctices tend to harm one's business.
unified estate and gift tax :: n. in federal estate taxes, the value of the estat ... turn. See also: estate tax gift tax
Uniform Commercial Code :: n. a set of statutes governing the conduct of busi ... s except Louisiana. See also: UCC-1
unilateral contract :: n. an agreement to pay in exchange for performance ... consideration contract performance
uninsured motorist clause :: n. the clause in a policy of insurance on an autom ... l pay its insured's actual damages.
unissued stock :: n. a corporation's shares of stock which are autho ... poration share stock treasury stock
unjust enrichment :: n. a benefit by chance, mistake or another's misfo ... perty. See also: constructive trust