Remedies

Damages, restitution, injunctions, specific performance, rescission and reformation across contracts, torts and property.

1 chapter1 hour of reading15 practice questions

Read chapter 1 free Practice essays

Chapters

1Foundations and the Remedies Attack OrderThe vocabulary and the fixed order of analysis behind every Remedies essay: legal versus equitable remedies and why the difference matters, the four families of remedies (compensatory, restitutionary, coercive, declaratory), the three limits on damages and mitigation, the prerequisites and defenses for equitable relief, and the six-step attack order applied to a crossover fact pattern.62 minFree

How California differs

From chapter 1

CACalifornia distinction

Collateral source rule and medical expenses

General rule (federal / majority)

Many states follow the traditional rule (Restatement (Second) of Torts § 920A). The plaintiff recovers the full reasonable value of medical care even if an insurer paid for it, and even if the insurer paid a discounted amount.

California

California keeps the rule but caps the measure. For past medical expenses the plaintiff recovers no more than the amount actually paid or owed by the plaintiff or the insurer. The amount billed but written off by the provider is not recoverable (Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions, Inc. (2011) 52 Cal.4th 541).

Write the traditional rule first. Add Howell only if the call names California law or the facts give both a billed amount and a paid amount.

CACalifornia distinction

Does unclean hands bar a damages claim?

General rule (federal / majority)

General rule: unclean hands is an equitable defense. It can defeat an injunction, specific performance or a constructive trust, but the plaintiff’s legal claim for damages survives.

California

California applies unclean hands to legal claims as well as equitable ones. The plaintiff’s misconduct must relate directly to the transaction and make relief unfair (Kendall-Jackson Winery, Ltd. v. Superior Court (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 970).

On a general-law call, write that unclean hands bars equity only. If the call names California law, add one sentence: in California the defense can also defeat the damages claim.

Lessons

Olivia Brennan

Remedies lecturer

Business-litigation partner focused on equitable relief and business torts.

Our lecturers are AI-voiced teaching personas; the portraits are illustrations.

Video lessons for Remedies are being recorded.

All 13 subjects from $249 a month

Unlimited MBE and California questions, timed sets and mocks, AI essay feedback, every chapter as it is published and a study plan built around your exam date.

See plans