A remedy is a form of court enforcement of a legal right resulting from a successful civil lawsuit. Remedies are designed to address the harm suffered by a party due to the unlawful actions or omissions of another party. They ensure that justice is served by restoring the injured party to their original position or by providing relief appropriate to the circumstances. Remedies fall into three general categories:
- Damages - Monetary compensation for the plaintiff’s losses, injury, and/or pain or restitutionary measures designed to restore the plaintiff’s status to what it was prior to the violation of his or her rights,
- Coercive remedies - Requiring a party to do or omit doing a specific act through injunctive relief or a court order of specific performance (a court mandates that the party fulfill contractual obligations. See Contracts).
- Declaratory judgment - The court determines individual rights in a specific situation without awarding damages or ordering particular action.
Because of their historical origins, monetary damages are often referred to as a legal remedy while coercive and declaratory remedies are termed equitable remedies.
Plaintiffs can also receive provisional remedies when a court uses its discretionary power to prevent harm to the plaintiff while the plaintiff’s rights are still being determined. Such remedies include temporary injunctions, attachment, and garnishment.
[Last updated in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]