In Pari Delicto

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IN PARI DELICTO

[Latin, In equal fault.] A descriptive phrase that indicates that parties involved in an action are equally culpable for a wrong.

When the parties to a legal controversy are in pari delicto, neither can obtain affirmative relief from the court, since both are at equal fault or of equal guilt. They will remain in the same situation they were in prior to the commencement of the action.