Legal Definitions - inequity

Inequity

Injustice or unfairness. In a legal context, it refers to those injustices that are recognized enough to warrant a remedy. Examples include duress and unconscionability.

Inequity refers to situations where something is not fair or just. This can happen in many different contexts, including in the legal system. For example, if someone is forced to sign a contract under threat of harm, that contract may be considered inequitable due to the duress involved. Similarly, if a contract is so one-sided that it is clearly unfair to one party, it may be considered unconscionable and therefore inequitable.

• A company pays its male employees more than its female employees for doing the same job, even though they have the same qualifications and experience. This is an example of inequity.
• A landlord charges one tenant significantly more rent than another tenant for the same apartment. This is an example of inequity.

These examples illustrate how inequity can occur in different situations. In both cases, one group is being treated unfairly compared to another group, even though there is no legitimate reason for the difference in treatment.