Promissory Estoppel

/ˌprɒmɪˈsɔːri ɪˈstɒpəl/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A legal doctrine preventing a party from reneging on a promise when the promisee has reasonably relied to their detriment, even without a formal contract.
    The court applied promissory estoppel to enforce the promise despite the lack of a written agreement.

Commentary

Used to enforce fairness when formal contract requirements are not met; commonly invoked in contract disputes involving reliance on informal promises.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

Draft confidently with Amicus

Create, negotiate, and sign agreements in one secure workspace—invite collaborators, track revisions, and keep audit-ready records automatically.

Open the Amicus app