Lord Bowen - Denis Diderot - Lord Kenyon - William Blackstone - John Romilly - Eyre L C B - Lord St Leonards - Lord Camden -
When I hear of an ‘equity’ in a case like this, I am reminded of a blind man in a dark room – looking for a black hat – which isn’t there. Lord Bowen, attributed
There are two sorts of laws, those of absolute equity and universality, and the bizarre ones which owe their autonomy only to blindness or to the force of circumstance. The latter merely cover the man who is breaking them with a passing disgrace, which time then transfers to the judges and the nations, on whom it remains forever. Denis Diderot, 1713-84, French philosopher
Equity will go no further than the law. Lord Kenyon CJ, Tooke v Hollingworth 1793 5 T R 225
Law, without equity, though hard and disagreeable, is much more desirable for the public good, than equity without law. William Blackstone 1765 Com Bk L sec 2 p41
Courts of equity have always considered it of the greatest possible importance that parties should not sleep on their rights. Sir John Romilly MR, Browne v Cross 1852 14 Beav 113
A man must come into a Court of Equity with clean hands. Eyre L C B, Dering v Earl of Winchelsea 1787 1 Cox Eq Ca 319
A court of equity interposes only according to conscience. Lord St Leonards, Birch v Joy 1851 3 HLC 598
A Court of equity which is never active in relief against conscience, or public convenience, has always refused its aid to stale demands where the party has slept upon his right, and acquiesced for a great length of time. Nothing can call forth this Court into activity, but conscience, good faith and reasonable diligence; where these are wanting, the Court is passive and does nothing. Lord Camden, Smith v Clay 1767 3 Bro Ch Ca 639 n