What is the doctrine of judicial estoppel in civil litigation?

The doctrine of judicial estoppel is a legal principle used in civil litigation cases in the state of Texas. It prevents a party from asserting a position in court that is contrary to a position they previously took in another court. It is used to promote fairness and ensure that parties cannot abuse the justice system by changing their position depending on which court they are in or if their circumstances have changed. Judicial estoppel prohibits a party from using certain facts in one court proceeding that contradict arguments or positions they have previously asserted in another. For example, if a party alleges in one court that an injury is permanent and they then claim in another court that the exact same injury is only temporary in order to obtain a more favorable outcome, the court may find that the party is estopped from asserting the second position. The doctrine of judicial estoppel is an important part of Texas civil litigation because it prevents parties from manipulating the judicial system by changing their position depending on the court in which they are litigating. In essence, it prevents parties from taking unfair advantage of the courts to obtain a more favorable outcome.

Related FAQs

What is the doctrine of judicial estoppel in civil litigation?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts