Appropriate relief

Definition

The statutory term used in both RFRA and RLUIPA to describe the remedies available to a person whose religious exercise has been violated. The central dispute in this case is whether 'appropriate relief' clearly includes money damages when the defendant is an individual state official rather than the state itself.

Examples

• •In Sossamon, the Court held 'appropriate relief' was not clear enough to waive sovereign immunity for damages against states, but in Tanzin, the same phrase was held to encompass damages against individual federal officials.

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