Estoppage is a legal doctrine that prevents a person from denying or asserting a fact or right when their previous conduct or behavior has led others to believe in the existence of that fact or right and act accordingly. It operates as a form of equitable estoppel, which is a principle in law that seeks to prevent injustice by holding individuals to their words or conduct when it would be unfair for them to go back on their previous representations.
Estoppage typically arises in situations where one party has made a representation to another party, either verbally, through their actions, or by remaining silent when they had a duty to speak. The representation must be clear, consistent, and induce reasonable reliance by the other party.
When estoppage applies, the party who made the representation is "estopped" from contradicting or denying that representation, even if it contradicts their current position or interests. This doctrine aims to prevent deception, fraud, and unfairness by holding individuals accountable for their previous words or conduct.
Estoppage can be invoked in various legal contexts, including contract law, property law, and tort law. It is often used as a defense or basis for claims where one party has detrimentally relied on the other party's representation and would suffer an injustice if that representation were contradicted or denied.
In summary, estoppage is a legal doctrine that prevents a person from denying or asserting a fact or right when their previous conduct or behavior has led others to reasonably believe in the existence of that fact or right. It serves as a mechanism to prevent injustice and hold individuals accountable for their past representations.
