Legal Definitions - Relief

Definition: Relief refers to the help or support that someone seeks from a court. It is similar to a remedy, but can also include situations where no physical harm has been done, but someone wants the court to protect their legal rights.

• A person who has been wrongfully terminated from their job may seek relief from the court in the form of compensation for lost wages and benefits.
• A company that believes a competitor is infringing on their patent may seek relief from the court in the form of an injunction to stop the competitor from using their technology.
• A person who is unsure of their legal rights in a particular situation may seek relief from the court in the form of a declaratory judgment, which clarifies the legal rights and obligations of all parties involved.

These examples illustrate how relief can take many different forms, depending on the situation. In each case, the party seeking relief is asking the court to take action to protect their legal rights or compensate them for harm that has been done.