Case Citation
Legal Case Name

Cameron v. Benson Case Brief

Oregon Supreme Court1983Docket #630679
664 P.2d 412 295 Or. 98 1983 Ore. LEXIS 1288

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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis

General Brief
4 min read

tl;dr: When a seller breaches a real estate contract, the court held that if specific performance is granted with an alternative money judgment, that judgment is valued at the time of the court’s decree, not the earlier date of breach, to prevent the seller from profiting.

Legal Significance: Establishes that when specific performance is the primary remedy, an alternative money judgment is a substitute for that performance, not damages for the initial breach. Its value is therefore measured at the time of the court’s decree to prevent the breaching party from profiting from market appreciation.

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Case Facts & Court Holding

Key Facts & Case Background

In 1974, Plaintiffs contracted to purchase real property from Defendants, who were obligated to deliver a deed “free and clear of all encumbrances” upon full payment. In 1978, when Plaintiffs were ready to complete the purchase, they discovered that Defendants had allowed judgment and mortgage liens to be placed on the property. Defendants tendered a bargain and sale deed with a title insurance policy from a second company that failed to disclose the known liens. Plaintiffs rejected this tender and sued for specific performance. The trial court found for the Plaintiffs and granted specific performance, ordering Defendants to convey clear title within 60 days. The court also awarded an alternative money judgment based on the property’s value at the time of trial ($38,500) should Defendants fail to perform. Between the 1978 breach and the 1980 trial, the property’s value had increased by $5,000. The Court of Appeals modified the award, measuring it from the 1978 breach date. The Oregon Supreme Court granted review to determine the proper date for valuing the alternative money judgment.

Court Holding & Legal Precedent

Issue: When a court grants specific performance for the breach of a real estate contract and provides an alternative money judgment, should that judgment be measured by the property’s value at the time of the seller’s initial breach or at the time of the court-ordered performance?

The alternative money judgment must be measured from the time of the Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo cons

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Legal Issue

When a court grants specific performance for the breach of a real estate contract and provides an alternative money judgment, should that judgment be measured by the property’s value at the time of the seller’s initial breach or at the time of the court-ordered performance?

Conclusion

This case establishes that equitable remedies are distinct from and not governed Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud ex

Legal Rule

Where a court grants the equitable remedy of specific performance as the Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum

Legal Analysis

The Oregon Supreme Court distinguished between the principles governing remedies at law Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor

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