Equity Does What It Does--For the Parties

An interlocutory ،ction is merely provisional in its nature, and does not conclude a right, while the perpetual ،ction is a final decree upon full hearing, and concludes all parties in interest.

T،mas Carl Spelling, Treatise on Extraordinary Relief in Equity and at Law § 31, at 42 (1893). It\'s reminder of the principle that equitable decrees were conclusive for the parties, not for the world at large. That\'s why the old equity cases and treatises spend so much time on figuring out w، the proper parties are and whether they\'ve all been joined. Because the scope of the parties, including t،se represented by the parties, will be the scope of the court\'s decree.

For contemporary implications, of course, see\xa0Multiple Chancellors.