What type of remedy allows a court to change a contract to reflect the true intentions of the parties?

Reformation is a remedy that enables a court to modify a contract so that it accurately reflects the genuine intentions of the parties involved. This is often applied in instances where a written contract does not accurately record the terms agreed upon due to a mistake, misrepresentation, or fraud. The court essentially corrects the document to align with what the parties actually intended to agree upon, thus restoring the original purpose of their agreement.

This remedy is distinct from others, as it does not void the contract or provide monetary damages, but rather rectifies the agreement to ensure its enforcement aligns with what both parties had originally envisioned. It is fundamentally about clarifying and enforcing the original intent rather than merely compensating for a loss or mistake.

In contrast, restitution seeks to return a party to its original position prior to the contract, rescission completely cancels the contract, and specific performance mandates that a party fulfills their contractual obligations as specified. Each of these remedies serves different legal needs and circumstances, but reformation is specifically targeted at correcting a contract.