Sometimes, to resolve a dispute, a plaintiff only needs an authoritative statement of their legal positions or rights. Once these are known, the defendant might be willing to do voluntarily what is required. In such cases, the court can make a declaration of the plaintiff's legal rights.
Declarations will be granted where the plaintiff has a real interest in a dispute which raises a substantial question between the parties concerned.
Note: Nominal damages are an alternative to seeking a declaration of rights.