What is the legal principle that prevents a person from denying a fact they had previously confirmed?

The legal principle that prevents a person from denying a fact they had previously confirmed is known as estoppel. This concept is crucial in law as it ensures consistency and fairness in legal proceedings by preventing individuals from contradicting their previous statements or actions when those statements have been relied upon by others.

For example, if someone has made a representation or confirmed a fact that another party has relied upon to their detriment, the principle of estoppel may bar that person from later asserting something contrary to that representation. This is particularly important in situations involving contracts, torts, and various legal agreements, where consistency in parties' statements is necessary to maintain trust and enforceability.

In contrast, fraud involves deceit or intentional misrepresentation, which does not relate directly to the acknowledgment of a fact that another party relies on. Concealment refers to the act of hiding information that one is obligated to disclose, which also doesn't encompass the principle of having confirmed a fact. Misrepresentation occurs when a false statement is made that induces reliance; unlike estoppel, it is focused on the act of misleading rather than the consequences of one's own statements.

Thus, estoppel plays a vital role in ensuring that individuals cannot merely withdraw their earlier confirmed assertions without facing legal consequences, thus promoting