Also known as: declaratory judgment actions · declaratory action · declaratory actions · declaratory judgment · declaratory relief
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A civil action in which a party seeks a judicial declaration of rights or legal relations without coercive relief. The existence of another adequate remedy does not preclude such relief when it is otherwise appropriate.
Diamond Manufacturing refuses to alter a hiring policy that applies uniformly to all female applicants. Destiny Davis and other women file a class action seeking declaratory relief that the policy violates federal law. The court certifies the class under Rule 23(b)(2) because the policy applies generally and declaratory relief will resolve the dispute for the entire class at once.
Dawson Steel holds an easement across land owned by Dixon Foods. Dixon Foods begins construction that blocks access under the easement. Dawson Steel sues for a declaratory judgment confirming the easement's continued validity and scope. The court considers the servitude's purpose and the parties' conduct in selecting declaratory relief as an appropriate remedy.
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A state environmental official refuses to issue permits required by federal statute. Drake Logistics sues the official in federal court for a declaratory judgment that the refusal violates federal law. The court entertains the action because the official is treated as acting without state authority when violating federal requirements.
A pregnant woman and her physician challenge a state criminal abortion statute. They file a declaratory judgment action seeking a ruling that the statute is unconstitutional. The court issues a declaration resolving the constitutional question without requiring the plaintiffs to risk prosecution first.
A Florida decedent's will creates a trust administered in Delaware. Florida beneficiaries sue in Florida court for a declaratory judgment interpreting the trust. The court dismisses for lack of jurisdiction because the trust assets and administration are centered in Delaware.
Shareholders sue a corporation in an equitable action and obtain adverse findings on proxy statement issues. A later damages action by a different plaintiff raises the same issues. The court applies collateral estoppel to bar relitigation because the corporation had a full opportunity to litigate in the prior declaratory proceeding.
A declaratory judgment is appropriate when a declaration of rights will provide protection without the need for coercive relief. Courts compare its relative adequacy to an injunction based on whether a non-coercive declaration sufficiently safeguards the declared rights.
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No. The existence of another adequate remedy does not preclude a declaratory judgment that is otherwise appropriate. The court may still grant declaratory relief and order a speedy hearing when useful.
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Yes. A servitude may be enforced by declaratory judgment among other remedies. The court selects the remedy after considering the servitude's nature and purpose, the parties' conduct, fairness, and the costs and benefits of enforcement.
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Jurisdiction exists if the underlying coercive action by the opposing party would have arisen under federal law. The court looks to the claim that would have been brought for coercive relief rather than the declaratory plaintiff's defensive posture.
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…Justices White and Rehnquist filed dissenting opinions. Syllabus This is an action by a pregnant single woman (Roe) for a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief against the Texas abortion laws, which make it a crime to procure or attempt an abortion except on medical advice for the purpose of saving the mother's life. A…