What type of court primarily adjudicates cases based on equitable principles?

Equity courts primarily adjudicate cases based on equitable principles, which are designed to provide remedies that are fair and just rather than strictly adhering to the rigid rules of law found in common law courts. These courts focus on delivering justice in a manner that considers the unique circumstances of each case, often providing remedies such as injunctions, specific performance, and equitable restitution, which are not typically available in legal (common law) courts.

Equity courts do not follow the same procedural rules as legal courts; instead, they emphasize fairness and the intention behind legal rights. Situations where monetary damages would not suffice or where legal remedies are inadequate lend themselves well to being addressed through equitable principles. Examples include cases involving trusts and estates or disputes that require the enforcement of agreements where the remedy cannot simply be a financial compensation.

Other types of courts like criminal courts focus on the enforcement of criminal law and the prosecution of offenses against the state, while family courts may handle specific issues such as divorce, custody, and child support, often incorporating both legal and equitable principles. Commercial courts primarily deal with business-related disputes, which may have elements of both law and equity but do not exclusively operate on equitable principles.