In civil proceedings, what is meant by "equitable relief"?

Equitable relief refers to remedies provided by a court that are not monetary in nature. Instead of providing financial compensation, equitable relief seeks to address the specific needs of the parties involved and may involve orders for someone to do something (known as a mandatory injunction) or to refrain from doing something (known as a prohibitory injunction). For example, a court may grant an injunction to prevent a party from continuing a particular action that harms another party.

This concept is rooted in the principles of equity, which prioritize fairness and justice over rigid application of legal rules. The decision to grant equitable relief depends on the circumstances of the case, and typically requires showing that legal remedies (monetary damages) would be insufficient to resolve the harm or dispute adequately.

Compensation for damages, which is mentioned in a choice, is considered legal relief and directly contrasts with equitable relief, further highlighting why the correct answer points towards non-monetary remedies provided by the court. The mention of a type of plea bargain or legal relief involving monetary compensation does not pertain to the principles of equitable relief, reinforcing that the correct answer focuses solely on non-monetary solutions.