The law of equity encompasses a body of rules, principles and doctrines initially developed by the Court of Chancery, broadly aimed to address the conflicts identified with uniform rules of justice that were inflexible and often harsh on particular individuals in specific situations and standards of fairness and conscience. It is discretionary and not based on precedent so this jurisdiction has continually changed and developed by judicial decision of the substantive principles of law and since its conception .
Relief against forfeiture is but one of the substantive doctrines of equity that has evolved.
RELIEF AGAINST FORFEITURE
Relief against forfeiture, in general terms is the equitable jurisdiction to 'prevent one man from forfeiting what in fair dealing belongs to someone else, by taking advantage of a breach from which he is not commensurately and irreparably damaged..." . …
