estoppel

/ɛˈstɑpəl/

/ɛˈstɒpəl/

Estoppel is a legal rule that bars people from making statements that contradict something they've already said or done. By using estoppel, a court can hold someone to their word.

Estoppel comes from estop, "to bar or stop" in legal language, which is from a root meaning "to stop or plug up." The purpose of estoppel is to keep one person from being harmed by another's inconsistencies or contradictions. This legal tool might be used if a landlord suddenly changes the terms of a contract he's previously agreed to. Estoppel is also used to keep people from contradicting something that's already legally proven to be true.

Definitions of estoppel

1. noun

   a rule of evidence whereby a person is barred from denying the truth of a fact that has already been settled
   type of:

   rule of evidence

   (law) a rule of law whereby any alleged matter of fact that is submitted for investigation at a judicial trial is established or disproved