According to Maitland's equity concept, which class of person is not bound by an equitable right?

• A. A mortgagee with notice
• B. A person with notice of the equitable right
• C. A bona fide purchaser of a legal estate without notice
• D. A family member with a life interest

Answer: (C)

Maitland’s concept rests on equity binding those who have knowledge of an equitable right, so a claim can affect the person who knows about it. But there is a crucial exception: a purchaser for value of a legal estate who acts in good faith without notice of the equitable right takes the title free from that right. This bona fide purchaser for value without notice cannot be bound by the equitable right because they had no knowledge and the law protects their untainted, value-based acquisition. That protection is why this class is the correct answer.