What is a common characteristic of courts of equity?

Courts of equity are fundamentally focused on delivering justice that is grounded in principles of fairness and moral rightness rather than strictly adhering to the rigid application of legal statutes or monetary outcomes. This characteristic distinguishes them from courts that deal primarily with legal matters, which typically award monetary damages or apply statutory laws.

In equity, the goal is to achieve a just resolution that considers the specific circumstances of a case; this may include providing remedies such as injunctions or specific performance, which are not available in courts of law. By emphasizing fairness, equity courts aim to address situations where the strict application of law would lead to unjust outcomes, thus allowing for a more nuanced approach to legal disputes.

The other aspects mentioned, such as focusing solely on monetary damages, relying exclusively on statutory laws, or being limited to criminal cases, do not capture the essence of what courts of equity do. They do not limit their decisions to financial compensation, nor do they exclusively interpret statutes, nor are they restricted to criminal matters, making the characteristic of fairness central to their function.