In what scenario is specific performance typically granted?

Specific performance is a legal remedy that requires a party to fulfill their obligations under a contract rather than simply compensating the other party with monetary damages. This remedy is typically granted when money damages are inadequate to remedy the harm caused by a breach of contract.

The rationale behind this is that certain contracts involve unique goods, properties, or services that cannot be easily quantified in monetary terms. For example, in real estate transactions, the property may be one-of-a-kind, and monetary compensation would not suffice to address the specific loss experienced by the seller or buyer. Thus, the court may compel the breaching party to complete the transaction as originally agreed.

In scenarios where the subject matter of the agreement is unique or irreplaceable, such as in contracts involving artwork, collectibles, or land, specific performance serves to ensure that the injured party receives exactly what was contracted for, rather than a mere sum of money that may not capture the full value of the intended exchange.