A Practice Note discussing the requirements of a declaratory judgment action under the Federal Declaratory Judgment Act. This Note explains how a declaratory judgment action differs from a coercive proceeding and covers subject matter jurisdiction, the Article III case or controversy requirement for declaratory judgment actions, the court's discretion to hear a declaratory judgment action, the burden of proof, the right to a jury trial, the preclusive effect of a declaratory judgment, and the standard for appellate review.