Declaratory

Declaratory is an English adjective describing statements or instruments whose primary function is to declare, establish, or explain something. It can modify nouns referring to declarations, rights, or statuses, and is used in formal, legal, and administrative contexts as well as in everyday language.

Etymology: The term declaratory derives from Latin declaratorius meaning "that which declares," ultimately from declarare "to declare."

In law, declaratory appears in phrases such as declaratory judgment or declaratory relief. A declaratory judgment provides a court's determination of the parties' rights, duties, or status, without ordering a party to take action or awarding damages. It is used to resolve uncertainty about legal relationships and to guide future conduct. Availability varies by jurisdiction but is common in contract interpretation, statutory rights, patent and trademark questions, and tax matters. It may be sought when a person fears potential litigation or to avoid it.

In administrative law, agencies may issue declaratory orders or declarations regarding compliance obligations. In linguistics, declaratory is rarely used; the related term is declarative, as in declarative sentences.