State Ex Rel. Leonardi v. Sherry

Missouri has a clear rule: equity retains jurisdiction once acquired, until the facts that sustain equity jurisdiction “fail of establishment.” State ex rel. Willman v. Sloan, 574 S.W.2d 421, 422-23 (Mo. banc 1978) (unanimous court); Jaycox v. Brune, 434 S.W.2d 539, 543 (Mo.1968); Jeffrey A. Burns, Methods of Practice, 2 Mo. Practice § 10.1, pp. 343-45 (2002); Robert H. Dierker & Richard J. Mehan, Contracts, Equity, and Statutory Action Handbook, 35 Mo. Practice § 23.12, pp. 464-65 (2004).

The facts “fail of establishment” when: 1) legal relief alone is sought, or 2) plaintiffs equitable…