Legal Definition and Related Resources of Clean Hands

One of the maxims of equity is he who comes into equity must come with clean hands. If, from the plaintiffs own stating or otherwise , the cause of action appears to arise ex turpi causa, or through the transgression of a positive law of this country, then the court says he has no right to be assisted. It is upon that ground the court goes; not for the sake of the defendant , but because they will not lend their aid to such plaintiff . The maxim in substance provides that no person can obtain affirmative relief in equity with respect to a transaction in which he has been guilty of inequitable conduct . Fuqua v Hanson, 567 P.2d 862, 222 Kan. 653.

Browse or run a search for Clean Hands in the American Encyclopedia of Law, the Asian Encyclopedia of Law, the European Encyclopedia of Law, the UK Encyclopedia of Law or the Latin American and Spanish Encyclopedia of Law.

Clean Hands in Historical Law

You might be interested in the historical meaning of this term. Browse or search for Clean Hands in Historical Law in the Encyclopedia of Law.

Search for legal acronyms and/or abbreviations containing Clean Hands in the Legal Abbreviations and Acronyms Dictionary.

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Equity, Maxims Of.

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Equitable relief may be denied on ground of deceit or impurity of… (Read more)

English Legal System: Clean Hands

In the context of the English law, A Dictionary of Law provides the following legal concept of Clean Hands : A phrase from a *maxim of equity; he who comes to equity must come with clean hands, i.e. a person who makes a claim in equity must be free from any taint of fraud with respect to that claim. For example, a person seeking to enforce an agreement must not himself be in breach of it.

Clean Hands in Maritime Law

Note: There is more information on maritime/admiralty law here.

The following is a definition of Clean Hands, produced by Tetley, in the context of admiralty law: A principle of the court of equity, whereby a claimant may not seek equitable relief, if he himself has acted improperly in respect of the same matter. The principle has, on occasion, been adopted by other courts.

Clean Hands in Admiralty Law

For information on clean hands in this context, see the entry on clean hands in the maritime law encyclopedia.