Unconscionability in promissory estoppel is the underlying principle informing the elements of estoppel, not a discrete ingredient additional to those elements. Unmeritorious conduct will not disentitle a plaintiff to equitable relief unless it has an immediate and necessary relationship to the equity sued for — participation in a scheme proposed by the defendant does not bar relief where the equity arises from the defendant's own promise. The minimum equity to do justice in estoppel cases is prima facie to hold the promisor to its promise, with lesser relief only where that would be inequitably harsh.
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