Civil litigation might be initiated for a variety of different reasons. Sometimes, individuals or businesses go to court over contract violations. Contracts outline the obligations of a business agreement. Employers sign contracts with their workers, and businesses may negotiate contracts with clients, suppliers and service providers.
Some people even say that contracts are the lifeblood of a business. Organizations rely on contracts to hold others accountable and ensure efficient operations. When one party that signs a contract does not uphold their end of the agreement, the other party may have grounds to file a breach of contract lawsuit.
Many breach of contract lawsuits settle before they ever have a hearing in court, but others require the authority of a judge to resolve. If the matter goes to trial, a judge can decide if a breach occurred. If a judge agrees that a contract is valid and one party did not fulfill their contractual obligations, what remedies can the court offer?
There are many possible solutions to a contract matter
Not all contracts are valid and enforceable. Sometimes, judges determine that neither party has any additional obligations to the other because the contract is not legally binding. If the contract is valid, they may declare that one party violated the agreement.
Civil court judges have the authority to implement several different solutions for a contract breach. They can award damages to the party affected by the breach. Judges also have the authority to enforce contracts. They could order one party to stop engaging in conduct that breaches their agreement with another party or order one party to complete certain actions.
Civil judges have the authority to resolve contract matters that people cannot resolve amicably either due to a difference in contract interpretation or intentional non-compliance. Understanding what authority civil judges have may benefit those looking for ways to resolve a contract dispute.