Stephens v Stone Rolls Ltd [2009] UKHL 39 Contract The doctrine in the aspect of contract essentially does the same thing as one of the vitiating contractual elements known as 'illegality'. Here contractual remedies cannot be enforced by a court on a defendant if it is manifest that the subject matter of the contract is either directly or by implication, contrary to public policy or in contradiction with any existing law or custom. A somewhat related concept in the law of contracts is the equitable defense of unclean hands. Everet v Williams [1725] 9 LQR 197 Major reconsideration of the doctrine by the UK Supreme Court In 2016 the UK Supreme Court provided a major reconsideration of this doctrine, in Patel v Mirza, overruling the test in Tinsley v Milligan and replacing it with a new set of principles. The changes were described as 'revolutionary' by a judge on the case, Lord Sumption (at [261] in the judgment). See also Acts of the claimant Contributory negligence Notes Brocards (law) Common law rules Legal rules with Latin names Legal doctrines and principles