Clean Hands Doctrine

The Clean Hands Doctrine is a legal principle stating that a person or entity cannot seek legal relief or assert a claim if they have engaged in wrongful, unethical, or bad-faith conduct related to the issue at hand. Essentially, it requires being morally or legally "clean" before coming to court for assistance. This doctrine encourages fair dealings and prevents individuals from benefiting from their own misconduct. It primarily serves as a defense, meaning if someone is proven to have acted improperly in relation to the dispute, their claim may be dismissed.