Clean hands
Clean hands: The equitable principle that a person who has acted unfairly or in bad faith about the matter in dispute cannot obtain relief from a court of equity. The Supreme Court called the maxim "He who comes into equity must come with clean hands" "far more than a mere banality" in Precision Instrument Mfg. Co. v. Automotive Maintenance Machinery Co., 324 U.S. 806, 814 (1945).
What clean hands means
In practice, you will see clean hands in pleadings, motions, orders and court rules. The definition above explains the general meaning. Even so, the meaning can shift with context. Therefore, always read it alongside the rule or document where it appears.
Where clean hands comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: Equity.
How to research the term
First, read the term where it actually appears. A rule, statute or court decision may define it for its own purposes. Next, check whether your court has a local rule that uses clean hands in a special way. Then look at recent decisions from courts in your jurisdiction. They show how judges apply the term today. Also, remember that state law can differ from federal law. For that reason, use our state procedures guide to find your state’s rules. Finally, confirm every source is current before you rely on it.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- Civilian: a person who is not a member of the armed forces.
- Civiliter mortuus: latin for "civilly dead." Black's Law Dictionary (2d ed. 1910) defines it as "Civilly dead; dead in the view of the law." It describes a living person who is in a state of civil death, meaning the law treats him or her as dead for purposes of civil rights. See civil death.
- Claim: a demand for relief based on a legal right. In a lawsuit, a claim is a statement of the facts and legal basis on which a party seeks relief. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a), a pleading that states a claim must contain a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.
- Class action: a lawsuit in which one or more people sue or are sued as representatives of a larger group.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.