What are nominal damages under Philippine law?

Answer

Nominal damages are awarded to vindicate or recognize a right of the plaintiff that has been violated, not to indemnify any loss suffered (Civil Code Article 2221). Their purpose is recognition of the right rather than compensation.

They presuppose a violated right but no proven measurable loss, and are not awarded together with actual damages for the same act. No proof of pecuniary loss is required (Article 2216); the amount rests in the court's discretion.

Sources & further reading

• Civil Code Art. 2221 — nominal damages
• Full report: moral, exemplary & nominal damages

Cases on this topic

• Domingo Imperial v. Venancio Ziga
• Gashem Shookat Baksh v. Court of Appeals
• Hometown Development, Inc. v. Union Bank of the Philippines
• Joaquina Ventura v. Eusebio Bernabe
• Local Government of Quezon City v. Sy
• Lourdes Munsayac v. Benedicta De Lara
• Michael C. Guy v. Raffy Tulfo
• Occena v. Icamina

Related questions

• What are moral damages under Philippine law?
• What are exemplary damages under Philippine law?
• What is a quasi-delict, and how does it lead to damages?
• Moral vs. exemplary vs. nominal damages — what is the difference?
• When can you recover moral damages for breach of contract?