7.20 DEFINITION: "SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL" is a legal term that refers to a situation in which two parties have equivalent rights, powers, responsibilities, or outcomes. It is usually used to refer to the equal distribution of resources or opportunities, or the equal sharing of risks and rewards. There are two types of 7.20 DEFINITION: "SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL"; absolute equality, and relative equality. Absolute equality means that both parties have exactly the same rights, powers, responsibilities, or outcomes. Relative equality means that both parties have broadly similar rights, powers, responsibilities, or outcomes.