It sometimes happens that a plea which seems prima facie just, nevertheless is injurious and unequal.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) A plea may appear valid on its face yet prove unjust in application — courts must examine the substance and effect of a plea, not merely its formal sufficiency.

Where this applies

• A statute of limitations defense looks valid on its face, but applying it would allow a fraudster to keep stolen property simply because the victim discovered the theft too late.
• A landlord's plea of lease termination appears proper, but on closer examination it would unjustly evict a disabled tenant who was promised accommodations.
• A bank's foreclosure defense seems legally sound, but the court finds it would produce an unconscionable result by stripping equity from a homeowner who made every payment.