A declaratory judgment is “a binding adjudication that establishes the rights and other legal relations of the parties without providing for or ordering enforcement.” (Black Law Dictionary, 11th ed.)
The Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act is “remedial” and meant to “settle and to afford relief from uncertainty and insecurity with respect to rights, status, and other legal relations.” (CPRC §37.002) The resources listed below are not exhaustive and may not include the most up- to-date information.
Similarly, the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201, is not an independent source of federal jurisdiction. The purpose of that Act is merely to provide an additional remedy, once jurisdiction is found to exist on another ground.
The benefit of a declaratory judgment is that it prevents lawsuits that are likely to be unsuccessful, which saves the courts, and ultimately taxpayers, resources and time. A policyholder that receives an unfavorable declaratory judgment is unlikely to file a lawsuit, as the suit is much more likely to be dismissed.
Steps in Seeking a Declaratory Judgment Review the facts of the case. Research and obtain additional evidence and title information from the client or the Missouri Department of Revenue. File a petition asking the appropriate court for a declaratory judgment.
An example of a declaratory judgment in an insurance situation may occur when a policyholder and an insurer disagree about whether a particular claim is covered under the insurance policy. For instance, suppose a homeowner files a claim with their insurance company for damages to their home caused by a storm.
How Declaratory Judgment Works. Any party to a contract may petition the court to clarify its rights and obligations in the event of a legal controversy. A court-issued declaratory judgment outlines the rights and responsibilities of each involved party. This judgment does not require action or award damages.
A declaratory judgment is typically requested when a party is threatened with a lawsuit but the lawsuit has not yet been filed; or when a party or parties believe that their rights under law and/or contract might conflict; or as part of a counterclaim to prevent further lawsuits from the same plaintiff (for example, ...
The statute of limitations for breach of contract and the declaratory judgment is generally four years from the date of the accident.