**Equitable:** (1) Describes civil suits in "[[Equity]]" instead of in "law." In the legal history of England, courts of "law" could order only the payment of damages. But courts of "[[Equity]]" could order someone to do something or to stop doing something. (See also injunction.) In American law, courts have power both in law and in equity. But usually, there can be trial by jury in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. (2) To deal fairly and equally with all concerned. This implies not only a fair or just decision based on the law, but also a judgment guided by common-sense ideas of fairness and justice.