Questão jurídica principal
Whether the negative declaratory action was admissible despite the appellant's objection that the respondent lacked a sufficient legal interest.
Decisão extraída
The respondent had a sufficient actual and protective interest because the pending debt collection harmed its creditworthiness and the dispute could be clarified by judgment.
Fundamentação extraída
A negative declaratory action is allowed where uncertainty about legal relations causes a serious disadvantage and cannot reasonably be endured; in debt collection matters, the debtor's interest in avoiding a premature lawsuit must be balanced, but the respondent showed sufficient interest.