Which term describes a legal action that asks the court to determine the rights of parties under the law, without determining the merits of the underlying dispute?

Which term describes a legal action that asks the court to determine the rights of parties under the law, without determining the merits of the underlying dispute?

• A. Mediation
• B. Mini-trial
• C. Declaratory judgment
• D. IBNR

Answer: (C)

Declaratory judgments are actions filed to obtain a court declaration of the rights, duties, or status of the parties under the law, without deciding the underlying dispute on its merits. This type of ruling clarifies how the law applies to a situation, without awarding damages or forcing a specific remedy. Mediation is a nonbinding negotiation facilitated by a neutral, not a court decision. A mini-trial is a short trial-like process to gauge likely outcomes and aid settlement, not a formal legal determination. IBNR is an accounting term for reserves for unreported claims, not a legal action.

Declaratory judgments are actions filed to obtain a court declaration of the rights, duties, or status of the parties under the law, without deciding the underlying dispute on its merits. This type of ruling clarifies how the law applies to a situation, without awarding damages or forcing a specific remedy. Mediation is a nonbinding negotiation facilitated by a neutral, not a court decision. A mini-trial is a short trial-like process to gauge likely outcomes and aid settlement, not a formal legal determination. IBNR is an accounting term for reserves for unreported claims, not a legal action.