C.A.T., LLC., [CAT] brought suit derivatively on behalf of the Fisher Island Com*374munity Association, Inc. [FICA], seeking a declaratory judgment that the developers of Fisher Island improperly conveyed certain real property to the Fisher Island Club, Inc. [the Club]. CAT alleged that the property actually belongs to FICA and that the initial developer of Fisher Island anticipatorily breached an agreement to convey the property to FICA at a future date. CAT’s suit was brought to an abrupt end when the trial court dismissed it, having concluded that a stockholder’s derivative suit may not be brought through a declaratory action. We reverse the dismissal and remand the case for further proceedings.

One can scarcely blame the trial court for its having dismissed CAT’s derivative declaratory judgment action as it relied specifically upon two Florida cases that appear to support the trial court’s conclusion: Wolf Sanitary Wiping Cloth, Inc. v. Wolf, 526 So.2d 702 (Fla. 3d DCA 1988) and First Nat’l Bank in Palm, Beach v. Underwood, 499 So.2d 60 (Fla. 4th DCA 1986).

In Wolf, at 704, this court stated straightaway that “because a stockholder’s derivative suit cannot be brought through a declaratory action, it necessarily follows that such a [derivative] suit cannot be brought through a declaratory action in a probate proceeding.”1 Thus it would seem that any analysis of the ability to bring a derivative/declaratory action could stop at Wolf. However, Wolf may not be the alpha and omega of derivative declaratory actions as it was not a stockholder’s derivative action; rather it was a direct action brought by the personal representative of Wolfs estate. Wolfs discussions relating to derivative declaratory actions may be mere dicta, thus not precedent for the dismissal of CAT’s derivative suit seeking a declaratory judgment. Indeed that point of view (mere dicta) has been urged upon us.

The second decision relied upon by the trial court in dismissing CAT’s suit is First Nat’l Bank in Palm Beach v. Underwood, 499 So.2d 60 (Fla. 4th DCA 1986), which was a direct action brought by the curator ■ of a decedent’s estate, seeking a declaratory judgment. The curator had made no attempt to assert a derivative action. Underwood, then, like Wolf may not truly be precedent here (as also urged on us).2

Although some, because of the “mere dicta” suggestion, may consider that a three-judge panel may validly contravene Wolf in resolving the issue before us, exercising caution we have determined to decide this case en banc. Our conclusion is that stockholders may bring derivative actions in the form of suits for declaratory relief. We recede from any statement or conclusion to the contrary in Wolf.

The legislature has, in no uncertain terms, by its enactment of Chapter 86, Florida Statutes, emphatically authorized the general use of declaratory actions. Section 86.011 provides for jurisdiction in the circuit and county courts to declare rights, status, and “other equitable or legal relations whether or not further relief is or could be claimed.” Most importantly Sec*375tion 86.011 mandates: “No action or procedure is open to objection on the ground that a declaratory judgment is demanded.” This clear and unambiguous legislative injunction cannot be construed to allow the dismissal of CAT’s derivative/declaratory action. Further, Section 86.051 re-emphasizes this legislative injunction: “The enumeration in [the preceding sections] does not limit or restrict the exercise of the general powers conferred in s.86.011 in any action where declaratory relief is sought.”3 [e.s.]

The legislature’s instructions as to the construction of the statutes relating to declaratory actions are set forth in Section 86.101:

“This chapter is declared to be substantive and remedial. Its purpose is to settle and to afford relief from insecurity and uncertainty with respect to rights, status, and other equitable or legal relations and is to be liberally administered and construed.” [e.s.]

In Olive v. Maas, 811 So.2d 644 (Fla. 2002), the supreme court emphasized the “notion of a broad construction of the declaratory judgment Act,” as had the Second District Court of Appeal in X Corp. v. Y Person, 622 So.2d 1098 (Fla. 2d DCA 1993) and as this court did in National Rifle Ass’n of America, Inc. v. City of South Miami, 812 So.2d 504 (Fla. 3d DCA 2002). We find nothing in Chapter 86 that would support the dismissal of CAT’s derivative/declaratory action; to the contrary, we find Chapter 86 precludes such a basis for dismissal.4

We specifically hold that shareholders’ derivative actions may be brought in the form of declaratory actions.5 The order appealed is reversed and the case is remanded to the trial court with instructions to reinstate this declaratory action in accordance with this opinion and decision.

SCHWARTZ, C.J., and COPE, GERSTEN, GODERICH, GREEN, SHEVIN and RAMIREZ, JJ., concur.

dissenting.

Notwithstanding Judge Fletcher’s comprehensive analysis of the issues in this case, I adhere to this court’s decision in Wolf Sanitary Wiping Cloth, Inc. v. Wolf, 526 So.2d 702 (Fla. 3d DCA 1988). The holding of that case was not mere dicta, as characterized by the court today, but was, in my view, a correct statement of the law. A stockholder’s derivative suit cannot be brought through a declaratory action, as Chapter 86, Florida Statutes, was not intended to encompass such an action. Id. at 704.

A derivative action is one in which a shareholder “seeks to sustain in his own name a right of action existing in the corporation.” James Talcott, Inc. v. McDowell, 148 So.2d 36, 37 (Fla. 3d DCA 1962). “The corporation is the real party in interest, the stockholder being only a nominal plaintiff.” Id. In such an action, an “essential allegation of the complaint must be the act whereby the corporation was caused to suffer damage.” Maronek v. Atlantis Hotel, Inc., 148 So.2d 721, 721 (Fla. 3d DCA 1963).

*376On the other hand, the purpose of a Chapter 86 declaratory action is to “afford parties relief from insecurity and uncertainty with respect to rights, status, and other equitable or legal relations.” Santa Rosa County v. Administration Comm’n, 661 So.2d 1190, 1192 (Fla. 1995). Standing to seek such relief must rest upon a showing that the plaintiff is in doubt as to the existence or non-existence of a right, status, immunity, power, or privilege and that the plaintiff is entitled to have such doubt removed. Caidin v. Lakow, 546 So.2d 788, 789 (Fla. 3d DCA 1989). That litigant must have such a present and substantial interest in the action as to be directly affected by the declaration sought. See Reibel v. Rolling Green Condo. A, Inc., 311 So.2d 156, 158 (Fla. 3d DCA 1975).

The two forms of action are incompatible, as a derivative action — one NOT brought on the plaintiffs own behalf, and alleging an injury that is NOT the plaintiffs own — cannot also take on the mantle of a derivative suit that requires a showing that the plaintiff has a personal stake and actual interest in the outcome of the litigation.

I would adhere to the holding in Wolf.