Clean Hands Doctrine

The clean hands doctrine is an equitable doctrine that “applies not only to fraudulent and illegal transactions, but to any unrighteous, unconscientious, or oppressive conduct by one seeking equitable interference in his own behalf.” ... He who has acted in bad faith, resorted to trickery or deception, or been guilty of fraud, injustice, or unfairness will appeal in vain to a court of conscience, even though in his wrongdoing he may have kept himself strictly ‘within the law.’

"Equity is a court of conscience; It demands fair dealing in all who seek relief, and requires decency, good faith, fairness, and justice. Equity cannot be invoked for selfish or ulterior purposes.... Where a litigant fails to meet such a standard equity will deny all relief, and if both parties are at fault, relief will be withheld from both." ''Goodwin v. Blu Murray Ins. Agency, Inc., 939 So.2d 1098, 1105 (Fla. 5th DCA 2006), citing Epstein v. Epstein'', 915 So.2d 1272, 1275 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005).