Supreme Court of the United States
Colson v. Thompson
March 12, 181715 U.S. 336
Summary
The Supreme Court reversed the circuit court’s decree and dismissed the plaintiff’s bill for specific performance, holding that the alleged contract was not proved and that its terms were too vague to enforce. The Court emphasized that a contract seeking specific performance must be definite and that the plaintiff failed to perform his obligations.
Holding
- What was the contract between the parties and how is it proved?. The alleged contract was not proved; the evidence was insufficient and the terms were vague and uncertain, so no enforceable contract existed.
- Has the complainant entitled himself to specific performance of the contract if it is proved?. Because the contract was not proved and the plaintiff failed to perform his obligations, he is not entitled to specific performance.