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promissory estoppel :: legal definition


Promissory estoppel - n. a false statement treated as a promise by a court when the listener had relied on what was told to him/her to his/her disadvantage. In order to see that justice is done a judge will preclude the maker of the statement from denying it. Thus, the legal inability of the person who made the false statement to deny it makes it an enforceable promise called "promissory estoppel," or an "equitable estoppel." Example: Bernie Blowhard tells Arthur Artist that Blowhard has a contract to make a movie and wants Artist to paint the background scenery in return for a percentage of the profits. Artist paints, and Blowhard then admits he needed the scenery to try to get a movie deal which fell through and there are no profits to share. Artist sues and the judge finds that Blowhard cannot deny a contract with Artist and gives Artist judgment for the value of his work.

See also: estoppel and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

abuse of discretion :: n. a polite way of saying a trial judge has made s ... partner's realistic ability to pay.
arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant
bilateral contract :: n. an agreement in which the parties exchange prom ... also: contract unilateral contract
breach :: 1) n. literally, a break. A breach may be a failur ... breach of trust breach of warranty
contract :: 1) n. an agreement with specific terms between two ... n oral contract unilateral contract
covenant :: 1) n. a promise in a written contract or a deed of ... o compete deed restrictive covenant
equitable estoppel :: n. where a court will not grant a judgment or othe ... also: clean hands doctrine estoppel
evidence :: n. every type of proof legally presented at trial ... material object objection relevant
guarantee :: 1) v. to pledge or agree to be responsible for ano ... as some defect. See also: guarantor
hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay
information and belief :: n. a phrase often used in legal pleadings (complai ... nswer complaint declaration perjury
liability :: n. one of the most significant words in the field ... bility joint tortfeasors negligence
libel :: 1) n. to publish in print (including pictures), wr ... libel per se public figure slander
maker :: n. 1) the person who signs a check or promissory n ... : check payee payor promissory note
motion for dismissal :: (non-suit) n. application by a defendant in a laws ... otion for nonsuit. See also: motion
note :: n. a promissory note, a written statement of debt ... the note. See also: promissory note
personal services :: n. in contract law, the talents of a person which ... his/her unique ability and product.
promise :: 1) n. a firm agreement to perform an act, refrain ... so: consideration contract covenant
reasonable reliance :: n. particularly in contracts, what a prudent perso ... the following:." See also: contract
reliance :: n. acting upon another's statement of alleged fact ... able. See also: reasonable reliance
royalty :: n. a percentage of gross or net profit or a fixed ... also: copyright infringement patent
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
trial :: n. the examination of facts and law presided over ... at a hearing held at a later time.

Popular Law Searches

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Other Law Terms - P

paid into court :: adj. referring to money deposited with the clerk o ... differences. See also: interpleader
pain and suffering :: n. the physical and mental distress suffered from ... l damages special damages suffering
palimony :: n. a substitute for alimony in cases in which the ... the relationship. See also: alimony
pander :: 1) v. to solicit customers for a prostitute. 2) n. ... ons or favors. See also: prostitute
panderer :: n. 1) a person who panders or solicits for a prost ... special interests. See also: pander
panel :: n. the list of people selected to appear for jury ... or jury duty. See also: jury venire
paper hanger :: n. slang for a person who criminally writes and ca ... ey in them. See also: forgery fraud
par :: n. 1) an equal level. 2) the face value of a stock ... common stock preferred stock stock
paralegal :: n. a non-lawyer who performs routine tasks requiri ... h less than that for the attorneys.
paramount title :: n. a right to real property which prevails over an ... n's claim of title. See also: title
parcel :: n. a defined piece of real estate, usually resulti ... See also: real estate real property
pardon :: 1) v. to use the executive power of a Governor or ... also: amnesty commutation reprieve
parens patriae :: (paa-rens pat-tree-eye) n. Latin for "father of hi ... pport custody divorce guardian ward
parent :: n. the lawful and natural father or mother of a pe ... natural parent. See also: adoption
parental neglect :: n. a crime consisting of acts or omissions of a pa ... usive or sexually predatory person.
pari delicto :: adj. equal fault. See also: in pari delicto ... al fault. See also: in pari delicto
parish :: n. 1) a geographic area served by a church (partic ... overnmental equivalent of a county.
parody :: n. the humorous use of an existing song, play, or ... l significance. See also: copyright
parol :: adj. oral. See also: parol evidence rule ... oral. See also: parol evidence rule
parol evidence rule :: n. if there is evidence in writing (such as a sign ... or contradict the written document.