Ex Aequo Et Bono

Latin: in justice and fairness.

Latin for "in justice and fairness."

Something to be decided ex aequo et bono is something that is to be decided by principles of what is fair and just.

Most legal cases are decided on the strict rule of law.

For example, a contract will be normally upheld and enforced by the legal system no matter how "unfair" it may prove to be.

But a case to be decided ex aequo et bono, overrides the strict rule of law and requires instead a decision based on what is fair and just given the circumstances.

Compare with equity.