The principal remedy for breach of contract is damages. Damages are compensatory: they are awarded to put the innocent party in the position that they would have been in had the contract not been breached. Once the plaintiff has established that they are entitled to damages, the law imposes a duty on them to minimise any loss which flows from the breach.

Specific performance requires the breaching party to perform their obligations under the contract. It is an equitable remedy and therefore only available in certain circumstances where damages are inadequate. It is commonly awarded in instances involving land.