When law and equity conflict which prevails?

In general, the law prevails over equity unless the circumstances are such that a manifest injustice would result. The maxim at common law is: "Equity follows the law." This means two things. One is that whenever there is an adequate remedy at law, legal relief rather than equitable relief should be provided. The second is that if the law on a subject is explicit, equity does not supersede it.

Equity law developed out of a sense of fairness when the law courts could not grant relief that adequately compensated a party for a loss or harm. Since resort was made to equity only when there was no adequate provision in law, the rule became that courts look to the law first, then to equity.