Legal Definitions - cleanup doctrine

The cleanup doctrine is a legal principle that allows a court to decide both equitable and legal issues in a case, as long as the legal issues are related to the equitable ones. This means that once a court has jurisdiction over a case, it can address any legal issues that are necessary to fully resolve the case.

For example, let's say that a person is suing their employer for wrongful termination. The person may also have a legal claim for unpaid wages. If the court has jurisdiction over the wrongful termination claim, it can also address the unpaid wages claim, even though it is a legal issue.

Another example could be a case involving a dispute over property ownership. If the court has jurisdiction over the dispute, it can also address any legal issues related to the property, such as outstanding mortgages or liens.

These examples illustrate how the cleanup doctrine allows a court to fully resolve a case by addressing both equitable and legal issues that are related to each other. This helps to ensure that all relevant issues are addressed and that the parties involved receive a fair and just outcome.