What does it mean to "sue for specific performance" in a legal context?

To "sue for specific performance" means to take legal action aimed at compelling a party to fulfill their obligations under a contract as originally agreed. This legal remedy is often pursued when the subject matter of the contract is unique or when monetary damages would not adequately compensate the injured party for the breach. For instance, in real estate transactions, since each piece of property is considered unique, a court may order the party in breach to go through with the sale, as simply awarding monetary damages would not be sufficient to remedy the loss of the specific property.

Suing for specific performance emphasizes the enforcement of the contract rather than seeking financial compensation. This type of remedy is particularly relevant in situations where the performance is critical and cannot be replaced easily, further demonstrating its significance compared to other remedies like monetary damages or contract dissolution.