Texas DJA: When is declaratory judgment an appropriate remedy?

CLAIM FOR DECLARATORY JUDGMENT UNDER THE TEXAS VERSION OF THE UNIFORM DECLARATORY JUDGMENTS ACT (UDJA, Texas DJA, TDJA)

Under what circumstances is it available?

A declaratory judgment is appropriate only if a justiciable controversy exists concerning the rights and status of the parties and the controversy will be resolved by the declaration sought. Bonham State Bank v. Beadle, 907 S.W.2d 465, 467 (Tex. 1995) (citing Tex. Ass’n of Bus. v. Tex. Air Control Bd., 852 S.W.2d 440, 446 (Tex. 1993)). “To constitute a justiciable controversy, there must exist a real and substantial controversy involving genuine conflict of tangible interests and not merely a theoretical dispute.” Id. If declaratory relief will not terminate a controversy between parties and would be irrelevant at the time judgment is rendered, a declaratory judgment will amount to no more than an advisory opinion, which the trial court lacks power to provide. Kenneth Leventhal & Co. v. Reeves, 978 S.W.2d 253, 259 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1998, no pet.).

SOURCE: Houston Court of Appeals (Beaumont caselaw b/c of transfer) - 14-08-00329-CV - 5/26/11