Contract Glossary
Remedies
Definition
Remedies are what you can get when someone breaches a contract. Money (damages), a court order forcing them to do what they promised (specific performance), cancellation of the deal (rescission), or a court order stopping them from doing something harmful (injunction).
In Practice
Your landlord breaches the lease by refusing to fix a broken heater for 3 months in a Minnesota winter. Your remedies might include: damages (cost of space heaters and increased electricity — maybe $800), rent reduction for the period, rescission (ending the lease without penalty), or specific performance (court order forcing the repair). Which remedy fits depends on the severity of the breach and what your lease says. Some contracts limit your remedies to damages only — which means no court-ordered fixes, just money.
Common in these contract types
Related terms
Frequently asked questions about remedies
Legal remedies are about money — compensatory damages, liquidated damages, penalties. Equitable remedies are about action — specific performance (forcing someone to do something), injunctions (stopping someone from doing something), and rescission (canceling the contract). Courts generally prefer legal remedies and only grant equitable ones when money isn't adequate.
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Create your contractThis content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For contracts with significant financial or legal implications, review by a qualified attorney is recommended.