What is a standard remedy sought in cases of breach of contract?

Compensatory damages are the standard remedy sought in cases of breach of contract because their primary purpose is to make the injured party whole again. This means that if one party fails to fulfill their contractual obligations, the other party may seek compensatory damages to cover the loss incurred as a result of the breach. These damages typically include both direct losses, such as lost profits or costs incurred due to the breach, and consequential losses that flow from the breach.

The rationale behind compensatory damages is straightforward: they aim to restore the injured party to the position they would have been in had the contract been performed as agreed. This aligns with the fundamental principles of contract law, which seeks to uphold agreements and ensure fairness in transactions.

While punitive damages, nominal damages, and restitution are also remedies available in certain contexts, they do not serve as the standard remedy for breach of contract. Punitive damages are intended to penalize the breaching party for egregious behavior rather than to compensate the injured party. Nominal damages represent a small sum awarded when a legal wrong has occurred without substantial loss, and restitution seeks to return a party to their original position, typically in cases of unjust enrichment, rather than to compensate for losses suffered due to a breach. Thus,