Nominal damages are a small monetary award granted by a court to a plaintiff when a legal wrong has been committed, but no actual financial loss or injury has been suffered. They are typically symbolic in nature and are awarded to recognise the plaintiff’s legal rights or to establish liability, rather than to compensate for any measurable harm. Nominal damages are often awarded in cases where a plaintiff’s rights have been infringed, but there is insufficient evidence to support a claim for substantial compensatory damages.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 29th March 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/nominal-damages/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Nominal Damages. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. May 18 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/nominal-damages/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Nominal Damages. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/nominal-damages/ (accessed: May 18 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Nominal Damages. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved May 18 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/nominal-damages/
Our team of professionals are based in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. We offer clear, specialist legal advice in all matters relating to Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Probate, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection.
All author posts