LAW30060 – Equity: History, Doctrines, Remedies assignment sample Ireland

Equity is a branch of law that developed out of the need to provide a fair and just resolution to disputes that were not covered by the common law. It has its origins in the English courts of chancery, where the chancellor used his discretion to provide relief for those who had been wronged, but who did not have a remedy available under the common law.

The doctrine of equity is based on the principle that “equity does justice”, which means that it is prepared to do what is fair and just, even if it goes against the strict letter of the law. Equity therefore supplements and sometimes overrules the common law, to achieve a result that is fairer and juster.

Assignment Task 1: Demonstrate an understanding of the place of equitable remedies in modern law with an ability to critique the law and assess its effectiveness in achieving fair and efficient outcomes.

In modern law, equitable remedies are an important tool for achieving fair and efficient outcomes. Equity can provide a remedy where the common law would not, or where the common law remedy is not effective. For example, in the case of breach of contract, the common law provides a remedy of damages. However, damages may not always be an adequate or appropriate remedy, particularly where there has been a breach of trust or fiduciary duty. In these cases, equity will often grant specific performance or injunction, which are more effective remedies than damages.

However, it is important to note that equitable remedies should only be granted where they are necessary and appropriate. If there is another remedy available that is just as effective and less burdensome, then equity should not intervene. This is known as the principle of proportionality, and it ensures that equitable remedies are only used where they are truly needed.

Overall, I believe that equitable remedies play an important role in modern law and that they are often necessary and appropriate to achieve fair and efficient outcomes. However, they must be used sparingly, and only when other remedies would be ineffective or inappropriate.

Assignment Task 2: Discuss the legal requirements for the equitable remedies covered.

The three main equitable remedies are injunction, rescission, and restitution.

An injunction is an order from a court to stop someone from doing something or to compel someone to do something. This is a common remedy in cases of contract disputes, where one party may be breaching the contract and causing harm to the other party.

Rescission is when a court orders that a contract be canceled and the parties go back to the status quo ante (the state of things before the contract was entered into). This can be done if one of the parties did not have the legal capacity to enter into the contract (for example, they were a minor), or if there was fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining the agreement.

Restitution is where a court orders one of the parties to return any property or money that they have received as a result of the contract. This can be done if the contract was entered into as a result of duress or undue influence, or if it is unfair or unreasonable.

Each of these equitable remedies is governed by specific legal requirements, which must be met before the remedy can be granted. For example, to obtain an injunction, the party must show that they will suffer harm if the injunction is not granted and that they have no other available remedy. Similarly, to obtain rescission, the party must show that there was fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining the agreement and that they have suffered damages as a result.

Assignment Task 3: Elaborate on the scope of the respective equitable remedies taking account of the limits of judicial discretion and the incursion of statutory and common law.

When it comes to remedies in the law, there are a few key things to consider. The first is the limits of judicial discretion- meaning that courts are limited in what they can do to redress a wrong. This is because courts are creatures of statute, and they cannot go beyond the powers granted to them by Parliament or the legislature.

Second, courts must take into account any statutory or common law remedies that may be available in addition to equitable remedies. This is because a party seeking equitable relief may also be entitled to damages or other forms of relief at law. As such, a court must carefully consider all potential remedies before deciding on the appropriate course of action.

Ultimately, the scope of an equitable remedy will depend on the specific facts of the case and the limits of judicial discretion. However, courts will always try to find an equitable solution that is fair and reasonable in the circumstances.

Assignment Task 4: In the context of a problem question, display an ability to identify the legal issues involved, reflect on the various equitable possibilities and engage in reasoned analysis to provide a measured answer to the problem posed.

Problem question:

You are the legal counsel for a company that has been in business for many years. Recently, a new company has begun to sell a product that is very similar to your company’s product. The new company is using a very similar name and logo, and they are selling their product at a lower price.

Your company has contacted the new company and asked them to stop selling their product, but they have refused. You would like to take legal action to stop the new company from selling their product, but you are not sure what type of legal action to take.

Legal issues:

The legal issues involved in this situation are trademark infringement and unfair competition. Trademark infringement is the unauthorized use of a trademark by another party, and unfair competition is any type of business conduct that harms or competes with another business.

Possible equitable remedies:

The possible equitable remedies available in this situation are an injunction, rescission, and restitution. An injunction is a court order that prohibits the other party from doing something, rescission is the cancellation of a contract, and restitution is the return of property or money.

The remedy would be most appropriate:

The most appropriate remedy in this situation would likely be an injunction. This is because your company has already contacted the new company and asked them to stop selling their product, but they have refused. An injunction would prohibit the new company from continuing to sell its product.

Assignment Task 5: Compare and contrast the approach of the Irish courts to those of their English counterparts.

The Irish courts take a very different approach to the English courts when it comes to equitable remedies. The Irish courts are much more willing to grant injunctions and other forms of equitable relief, while the English courts are much more reluctant to do so. This is likely because the Irish courts are based on common law, while the English courts are based on statute. As such, the Irish courts have a greater amount of discretion when it comes to awarding equitable remedies.

The English courts are much more likely to award damages or other forms of legal relief in addition to equitable remedies. This is because the English courts are limited in their ability to award equitable relief, while they have a great deal of power when it comes to awarding legal relief. As a result, the English courts are more likely to award damages to compensate the party who has been harmed.

The Irish courts are much more likely to award restitution and rescission in addition to injunctions. This is because the Irish courts are interested in providing a complete remedy to the party who has been harmed. As a result, the Irish courts are more likely to cancel the contract and return the property or money that has been taken away from the party who has been harmed.

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