The declaration may be either affirmative or negative in form and effect and shall have the force and effect of a final judgment or decree. Declaratory judgments are an important tool in litigation.This page explains how a defendant or a respondent in a lawsuit can file an answer to protect their rights. The procedure for obtaining a declaratory judgment pursuant to Utah Code Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 4, shall be in accordance with these rules. Declaratory judgment actions must be ripe. They must allege a concrete controversy, not an academic dispute. For summary judgment in the declaratory judgment action. Courts will entertain retrospective declaratory judgments when they are paired with damages claims. In a declaratory judgment action. However, due tc inherent deficiencies a declaratory judgment action may not constitute the complete solution.