Which remedy is primarily used to declare the parties' rights in a dispute without ordering performance or damages?

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Declaratory relief is a court's determination of the parties' rights, status, or legal relationships in a dispute without ordering performance, damages, or other coercive relief. It clarifies who has what rights under a contract, lease, or statute so the parties know where they stand and can plan their next steps. This differs from remedies that compel action or compensate losses: specific performance forces a party to perform the contract; injunctions prohibit or require actions to prevent harm; rescission cancels the contract and restores the parties to their pre-contract positions. So, when the goal is to declare rights rather than to compel enforcement or award damages, declaratory relief is the appropriate remedy.