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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1997
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equity
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1992-09-03
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24 lines
Equity is the system of law supplementing the
ordinary rules of law where the application
of these would operate harshly in a
particular case. Sometimes it is regarded as
an attempt to achieve `natural justice'. So
understood, equity appears as an element in
most legal systems, and in a number of legal
codes judges are instructed to apply both the
rules of strict law and the principles of
equity in reaching their decisions.
Equity is a company's assets, less its
liabilities, which are the property of the
owner or shareholders. Popularly, equities
are stocks and shares which do not pay
interest at fixed rates but pay dividends
based on the company's performance. The value
of equities tends to rise over the long term,
but in the short term they are a risk
investment because prices can fall as well as
rise.
Subject by: Robert Small