What distinguishes equitable relief from common law remedies?

Equitable relief is distinguished from common law remedies primarily by its focus on providing non-monetary solutions to disputes. Rather than awarding damages or monetary compensation, equitable relief seeks to address the specific needs of the parties involved by enforcing rights or obligations through orders such as injunctions, specific performance, or rescission.

For example, in a situation where monetary damages would not suffice to resolve the harm caused—such as in cases involving unique goods or properties—equitable relief allows a party to obtain a remedy that ensures fairness and justice. The aim is to prevent harm or to compel a party to act in a certain way, highlighting the nature of equitable relief as a mechanism to achieve justice in a manner that common law cannot always fulfill.

In contrast, common law remedies primarily deal with monetary compensation for harms done, focusing on restoring the injured party to their financial position prior to the injury. Therefore, the fundamental nature of equitable relief being non-monetary is what sets it apart in the realm of legal remedies.