estoppel

[ e-stop-uhl ]

noun

, Law.

1. a bar or impediment preventing a party from asserting a fact or a claim inconsistent with a position that party previously took, either by conduct or words, especially where a representation has been relied or acted upon by others.

estoppel

/ ɪˈstɒpəl /

noun

1. law a rule of evidence whereby a person is precluded from denying the truth of a statement of facts he has previously asserted See also conclusion

Word History and Origins

Origin of estoppel¹

First recorded in 1575–85, estoppel is from the Middle French word estoupail stopper. See estop, -al ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of estoppel¹

C16: from Old French estoupail plug, from estoper to stop up; see estop

Example Sentences

That became the basis for their defense, known as entrapment by estoppel, in which a defendant essentially argues that he broke the law based on bad advice from a government official.

From Los Angeles Times

He noted the "collateral estoppel" doctrine in the case that disallows Trump and Habba from attempting to "relitigate the first trial."

From Salon

The Colorado Supreme Court’s voluntary stay of its judgment may be a relevant factor in how another state’s courts may decide to apply the doctrine of collateral estoppel.

From Salon

Zamora’s lawyers also accuse the prosecution of violating the doctrine of judicial estoppel, which prevents lawyers from taking positions directly inconsistent from their prior claims.

From Seattle Times

They inevitably lead to mountains of dense legal documents with stultifying terms like “collateral estoppel” and “implied warranty of merchantability.”

From New York Times