Section 17 Equity Prevents a Multiplicity of Suits (Equity Delights to Do Justice and Not by Halves)

• Library: Remedies 2006

Both maxims address problems with common-law courts, which at the time chancery courts were created could only deal with two parties in front of a jury in a suit for damages, when the damages had already occurred but could occur again. Chancery courts, because equity actions were tried to a chancellor and not to a jury, could hear from all sides of a conflict and could handle multiple parties, preventing a multiplicity of separate actions. Once a chancery court had jurisdiction to hear a matter, it could...