The Specific Relief Act, 1963 replaced the earlier Specific Relief Act of 1877, modernizing India's legal framework for granting discretionary equitable remedies when monetary compensation is inadequate. Rooted in English equity principles, this law provides judicial remedies for enforcing civil rights through specific performance, injunctions, declaratory decrees, and restitution.
Key Provisions Include:
Specific Performance of Contracts (Sections 10-14): Courts may enforce contractual obligations (e.g., property sales) when damages are insufficient, barring cases involving personal skills or continuous duties.
Injunctions (Sections 36-42): Temporary/permanent injunctions to prevent harm, breach, or nuisance (e.g., property disputes or trademark violations).
Declaratory Decrees (Section 34): Clarifies legal rights/status without further relief (e.g., declaration of ownership).
Recovery of Possession (Sections 5-8): Restores property to rightful owners or dispossessed individuals.
Rectification & Cancellation of Instruments (Sections 26-28): Corrects or voids fraudulent/erroneous documents.
The 2018 Amendment introduced significant changes, making specific performance a general rule (rather than exception) for infrastructure projects and commercial contracts, while restricting injunctions in public infrastructure disputes. The Act balances equitable discretion with enforceability, ensuring justice beyond monetary compensation.