equitable estoppel

Equitable estoppel is a legal principle that prevents a person from going back on their word if someone else has relied on that promise and taken action based on it. Essentially, if one party makes a commitment or represents a fact, and another party reasonably depends on that commitment to their detriment, the first party cannot later deny that commitment. This principle helps ensure fairness by holding individuals accountable for their promises, particularly when it would be unjust to allow them to change their position after someone else has acted on their assurance.