clean hands doctrine in Connecticut

2002"The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation." Polverari v. Peatt, 29 Conn. App. 191 , 202 , 614 A.2d 484 , cert. denied, 224 Conn. 913 , 617 A.2d 116 (1992).

2002"The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation." Polverari v. Peatt, 29 Conn. App. 191 , 202 , 614 A.2d 484 , cert. denied, 224 Conn. 913 , 617 A.2d 116 (1992).

2001The clean hands doctrine, also referred to as the doctrine of unclean hands; Bauer v. Waste Management of Connecticut, Inc., 239 Conn. 515, 525 , 686 A.2d 481 (1996); derives from “the equitable maxim that he who comes into equity must come with clean hands.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) DeCecco v. Beach, 174 Conn. 29, 34 , 381 A.2d 543 (1977); accord Gelinas v. West Hartford, 225 Conn. 575, 587 , 626 A.2d 259 (1993) (“[o]ne who seeks equity must also do equity and expect that equity will be done for all” [interned quotation marks omitted]).

2001The clean hands doctrine, also referred to as the doctrine of unclean hands; Bauer v. Waste Management of Connecticut, Inc., 239 Conn. 515, 525 , 686 A.2d 481 (1996); derives from “the equitable maxim that he who comes into equity must come with clean hands.” (Internal quotation marks omitted.) DeCecco v. Beach, 174 Conn. 29, 34 , 381 A.2d 543 (1977); accord Gelinas v. West Hartford, 225 Conn. 575, 587 , 626 A.2d 259 (1993) (“[o]ne who seeks equity must also do equity and expect that equity will be done for all” [interned quotation marks omitted]).

2025Unless the plaintiff’s conduct is of such a character as to be condemned and pronounced wrongful by hon- est and fair-minded people, the doctrine of unclean hands does not apply.’’ (Citations omitted; internal quo- tation marks omitted.) Thompson v. Orcutt, 257 Conn. 301, 310 , 777 A.2d 670 (2001). ‘‘The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful miscon- duct with regard to the matter in litigation. . . .

2025Unless the plaintiff’s conduct is of such a character as to be condemned and pronounced wrongful by hon- est and fair-minded people, the doctrine of unclean hands does not apply.’’ (Citations omitted; internal quo- tation marks omitted.) Thompson v. Orcutt, 257 Conn. 301, 310 , 777 A.2d 670 (2001). ‘‘The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful miscon- duct with regard to the matter in litigation. . . .

2025The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preser- vation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Ridgefield v. Eppoliti Realty Co., 71 Conn. App. 321, 335 , 801 A.2d 902 , cert. denied, 261 Conn. 933 , 806 A.2d 1070 (2002).

2024The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preservation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked.’’ (Citation omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) Ridgefield v. Eppoliti Realty Co., 71 Conn. App. 321 , 334–35, 801 A.2d 902 , cert. denied, 261 Conn. 933 , 806 A.2d 1070 (2002).

2025The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preser- vation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Ridgefield v. Eppoliti Realty Co., 71 Conn. App. 321, 335 , 801 A.2d 902 , cert. denied, 261 Conn. 933 , 806 A.2d 1070 (2002).

2024The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preservation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked.’’ (Citation omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) Ridgefield v. Eppoliti Realty Co., 71 Conn. App. 321 , 334–35, 801 A.2d 902 , cert. denied, 261 Conn. 933 , 806 A.2d 1070 (2002).

2025The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preser- vation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Ridgefield v. Eppoliti Realty Co., 71 Conn. App. 321, 335 , 801 A.2d 902 , cert. denied, 261 Conn. 933 , 806 A.2d 1070 (2002).

2025The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preser- vation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Ridgefield v. Eppoliti Realty Co., 71 Conn. App. 321, 335 , 801 A.2d 902 , cert. denied, 261 Conn. 933 , 806 A.2d 1070 (2002).

2021The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preser- vation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Monetary Funding Group, Inc. v. Pluchino, 87 Conn. App. 401, 407 , 867 A.2d 841 (2005).

2021The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preser- vation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Monetary Funding Group, Inc. v. Pluchino, 87 Conn. App. 401, 407 , 867 A.2d 841 (2005).

2018The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preservation of the courts' integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Emigrant Mortgage Co. v. D'Agostino , 94 Conn. App. 793 , 804, 896 A.2d 814 , cert. denied, 278 Conn. 919 , 901 A.2d 43 (2006).

2014The party seek- ing to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation.’’ (Emphasis added; internal quotation marks omitted.) Emigrant Mortgage Co. v. D’Agostino, 94 Conn. App. 793, 804 , 896 A.2d 814 , cert. denied, 278 Conn. 919 , 901 A.2d 43 (2006).12 The litigation on which the defendants rely to demonstrate the plaintiff has come into court with unclean hands is not the present litigation, but litigation concerning taxes due and owing, not in the town, but in Simsbury.13 ‘‘Mandamus is

2018The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preservation of the courts' integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Emigrant Mortgage Co. v. D'Agostino , 94 Conn. App. 793 , 804, 896 A.2d 814 , cert. denied, 278 Conn. 919 , 901 A.2d 43 (2006).

2014The party seek- ing to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation.’’ (Emphasis added; internal quotation marks omitted.) Emigrant Mortgage Co. v. D’Agostino, 94 Conn. App. 793, 804 , 896 A.2d 814 , cert. denied, 278 Conn. 919 , 901 A.2d 43 (2006).12 The litigation on which the defendants rely to demonstrate the plaintiff has come into court with unclean hands is not the present litigation, but litigation concerning taxes due and owing, not in the town, but in Simsbury.13 ‘‘Mandamus is

2018The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preservation of the courts' integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Emigrant Mortgage Co. v. D'Agostino , 94 Conn. App. 793 , 804, 896 A.2d 814 , cert. denied, 278 Conn. 919 , 901 A.2d 43 (2006).

2018The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preservation of the courts' integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked." (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Emigrant Mortgage Co. v. D'Agostino , 94 Conn. App. 793 , 804, 896 A.2d 814 , cert. denied, 278 Conn. 919 , 901 A.2d 43 (2006).

2002"The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation." Polverari v. Peatt, 29 Conn. App. 191 , 202 , 614 A.2d 484 , cert. denied, 224 Conn. 913 , 617 A.2d 116 (1992).

2001Although the Appellate Court recognized that “ ‘[t]he trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preservation of the court’s integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked’ Thompson v. Orcutt, supra, 59 Conn. App. 205 , quoting Polverari v. Peatt, 29 Conn. App. 191, 202 , 614 A.2d 484 , cert. denied, 224 Conn. 913 , 617 A.2d 166 (1992); it determined, in essence, that the question whether the clean hands doctrine may be interpreted to apply to the facts found by the trial court in this case involved an issue of law.

2001The clean hands doctrine is applied not for the protection of the parties but for the protection of the court." Eldridge v. Eldridge, 244 Conn. 523 , 536 , 710 A.2d 757 (1998); Pappas v. Pappas, 164 Conn. 242 , 246 , 320 A.2d 809 (1973); McCarthy v. McCarthy, 55 Conn. App. 326 , 335 , 752 A.2d 1093 (1999).

2001The clean hands doctrine is applied not for the protection of the parties but for the protection of the court." Eldridge v. Eldridge, 244 Conn. 523 , 536 , 710 A.2d 757 (1998); Pappas v. Pappas, 164 Conn. 242 , 246 , 320 A.2d 809 (1973); McCarthy v. McCarthy, 55 Conn. App. 326 , 335 , 752 A.2d 1093 (1999).

2020The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preservation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked.’’ (Internal quota- tion marks omitted.) Bank of America, N.A. v. Aubut, 167 Conn. App. 347, 380 , 143 A.3d 638 (2016).

2020The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preservation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked.’’ (Internal quota- tion marks omitted.) Bank of America, N.A. v. Aubut, 167 Conn. App. 347, 380 , 143 A.3d 638 (2016).

2001The clean hands doctrine is applied not for the protection of the parties but for the protection of the court." Eldridge v. Eldridge, 244 Conn. 523 , 536 , 710 A.2d 757 (1998); Pappas v. Pappas, 164 Conn. 242 , 246 , 320 A.2d 809 (1973); McCarthy v. McCarthy, 55 Conn. App. 326 , 335 , 752 A.2d 1093 (1999).

2001The clean hands doctrine is applied not for the protection of the parties but for the protection of the court." Eldridge v. Eldridge, 244 Conn. 523 , 536 , 710 A.2d 757 (1998); Pappas v. Pappas, 164 Conn. 242 , 246 , 320 A.2d 809 (1973); McCarthy v. McCarthy, 55 Conn. App. 326 , 335 , 752 A.2d 1093 (1999).

2001Although the Appellate Court recognized that “ ‘[t]he trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preservation of the court’s integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked’ Thompson v. Orcutt, supra, 59 Conn. App. 205 , quoting Polverari v. Peatt, 29 Conn. App. 191, 202 , 614 A.2d 484 , cert. denied, 224 Conn. 913 , 617 A.2d 166 (1992); it determined, in essence, that the question whether the clean hands doctrine may be interpreted to apply to the facts found by the trial court in this case involved an issue of law.

2000The trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the promotion of public policy and the preservation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked.” (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) Polverari v. Peatt, 29 Conn. App. 191, 202 , 614 A.2d 484 , cert. denied, 224 Conn. 913 , 617 A.2d 166 (1992).

1998Gest v. Gest , 117 Conn. 289 , 296 (1933); Kramer v. Kramer , Superior Court, judicial district of Stamford/Norwalk, at Stamford, Docket No. 0066243 (September 5, 1996, Harrigan, J.), 17 CLR 526 , 1996 Ct. Sup. 5503 . 13) The defendant's Motion for Hearing should have been denied by reason of laches.

1973Gest v. Gest, 117 Conn. 289, 296 .

2018Whether the trial court properly interpre- ted the doctrine of unclean hands, however, is a legal question distinct from the trial court’s discretionary decision whether to apply it.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Ulster Savings Bank v. 28 Brynwood Lane, Ltd., 134 Conn. App. 699, 711 , 41 A.3d 1077 (2012); see also American Heritage Agency, Inc. v. Gelinas, 62 Conn. App. 711, 722 , 774 A.2d 220 (‘‘[t]he trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the pro- motion of public policy and the preservation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked

2018Whether the trial court properly interpre- ted the doctrine of unclean hands, however, is a legal question distinct from the trial court’s discretionary decision whether to apply it.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Ulster Savings Bank v. 28 Brynwood Lane, Ltd., 134 Conn. App. 699, 711 , 41 A.3d 1077 (2012); see also American Heritage Agency, Inc. v. Gelinas, 62 Conn. App. 711, 722 , 774 A.2d 220 (‘‘[t]he trial court enjoys broad discretion in determining whether the pro- motion of public policy and the preservation of the courts’ integrity dictate that the clean hands doctrine be invoked

2016We must therefore engage in a plenary review to determine whether the court's conclusions were legally and logically correct and whether they are supported by the facts appearing in the record." (Citation omitted.) McKeever v. Fiore, 78 Conn.App. 783 , 787-88, 829 A.2d 846 (2003).

2016We must therefore engage in a plenary review to determine whether the court's conclusions were legally and logically correct and whether they are supported by the facts appearing in the record." (Citation omitted.) McKeever v. Fiore, 78 Conn.App. 783 , 787-88, 829 A.2d 846 (2003).

1999Cohen v. Cohen, 182 Conn. 193, 204 , 438 A.2d 55 (1980).

1999Cohen v. Cohen, 182 Conn. 193, 204 , 438 A.2d 55 (1980).

2024The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Nuzzi v. Nuzzi, 164 Conn. App. 751 , 763–64, 138 A.3d 979 , cert. granted, 323 Conn. 902 , 150 A.3d 684 (2016) (appeal withdrawn October 12, 2017).

2024The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Nuzzi v. Nuzzi, 164 Conn. App. 751 , 763–64, 138 A.3d 979 , cert. granted, 323 Conn. 902 , 150 A.3d 684 (2016) (appeal withdrawn October 12, 2017).

2024The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Nuzzi v. Nuzzi, 164 Conn. App. 751 , 763–64, 138 A.3d 979 , cert. granted, 323 Conn. 902 , 150 A.3d 684 (2016) (appeal withdrawn October 12, 2017).

2024The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Nuzzi v. Nuzzi, 164 Conn. App. 751 , 763–64, 138 A.3d 979 , cert. granted, 323 Conn. 902 , 150 A.3d 684 (2016) (appeal withdrawn October 12, 2017).

2024Wilful mis- conduct has been defined as intentional conduct designed to injure for which there is no just cause or excuse.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Home- bridge Financial Services, Inc. v. Jakubiec, 223 Conn. App. 517 , 539, 309 A.3d 1223 , cert. denied, 349 Conn. 909 , 314 A.3d 602 (2024).

2021Whether the trial court properly interpreted the doctrine of unclean hands, however, is a legal question distinct from the trial court’s discretionary decision whether to apply it.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Lorson, 183 Conn. App. 200, 221 , 192 A.3d 439 , cert. granted on other grounds, 330 Conn. 920 , 193 A.3d 1214 (2018). ‘‘The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation. . . .

2021Whether the trial court properly interpreted the doctrine of unclean hands, however, is a legal question distinct from the trial court’s discretionary decision whether to apply it.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Lorson, 183 Conn. App. 200, 221 , 192 A.3d 439 , cert. granted on other grounds, 330 Conn. 920 , 193 A.3d 1214 (2018). ‘‘The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation. . . .

2021We must therefore engage in a plenary review to determine whether the court’s conclusions were legally and logically correct and whether they are supported by the facts appearing in the record.’’ (Citation omitted; emphasis omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) Monetary Funding Group, Inc. v. Pluchino, supra, 87 Conn. App. 406 . 1 The substitute plaintiff contends that the court improperly determined that it engaged in misconduct despite the defendants ‘‘hav[ing] not shown fraud or other inequitable or illegal conduct on the part of [the] plaintiff . . . .’’ It contends, citing LaSalle N

2021We must therefore engage in a plenary review to determine whether the court’s conclusions were legally and logically correct and whether they are supported by the facts appearing in the record.’’ (Citation omitted; emphasis omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) Monetary Funding Group, Inc. v. Pluchino, supra, 87 Conn. App. 406 . 1 The substitute plaintiff contends that the court improperly determined that it engaged in misconduct despite the defendants ‘‘hav[ing] not shown fraud or other inequitable or illegal conduct on the part of [the] plaintiff . . . .’’ It contends, citing LaSalle N

2021Whether the trial court properly interpreted the doctrine of unclean hands, however, is a legal question distinct from the trial court’s discretionary decision whether to apply it.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Lorson, 183 Conn. App. 200, 221 , 192 A.3d 439 , cert. granted on other grounds, 330 Conn. 920 , 193 A.3d 1214 (2018). ‘‘The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation. . . .

2021Whether the trial court properly interpreted the doctrine of unclean hands, however, is a legal question distinct from the trial court’s discretionary decision whether to apply it.’’ (Internal quotation marks omitted.) Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Lorson, 183 Conn. App. 200, 221 , 192 A.3d 439 , cert. granted on other grounds, 330 Conn. 920 , 193 A.3d 1214 (2018). ‘‘The party seeking to invoke the clean hands doctrine to bar equitable relief must show that his opponent engaged in wilful misconduct with regard to the matter in litigation. . . .