Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
property: includes both real and personal property. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
a. The legislative intent of this chapter is to provide equitable and uniform procedures for the operation of the department and for all taxpayers when dealing with the department. This chapter is intended as a minimum procedural code and the department may grant or adopt additional procedures not inconsistent with this chapter. This chapter shall be liberally construed to allow substantial justice.b. The provisions of this chapter shall be complementary and in addition to all other provisions of law. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this chapter and those of any other specific statutory provisions contained in other chapters of this title, or of any other title, it is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that, to the extent such other specific provisions are inconsistent with or different from the provisions of this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail.(2) SCOPE. The provisions contained herein shall govern all matters administered by the department except as otherwise provided by law or by agreement entered into pursuant to lawful authority. However, nothing herein shall be construed to apply to the assessment of ad valorem taxes on real or personal property which is administered by the various counties of the State of Alabama, except that the determination and assessment of value of property of public utilities under Chapter 21 of this title, and the determination and assessment of value of corporate shares of stock under Article 4 of Chapter 14 of this title shall be governed by the procedures set forth in this chapter.(3) PROCEDURES EXCLUSIVE. The department shall not be subject to the declaratory judgment, declaratory ruling, or contested case provisions of the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 22 of Title 41.
