From the Wikipedia article that you quoted: It is typically available in the sale of land, but otherwise is not generally available if damages are an appropriat

From the Wikipedia article that you quoted: It is typically available in the sale of land, but otherwise is not generally available if damages are an appropriate alternative. Specific performance is almost never available for contracts of personal service It's a problem, I can tell you. If you've been brought up in a world where people usually perform and you encounter an American who underperforms and then wants to haggle you are going to be angry. Right now I'm involved in a dispute with my former landlord who rented out substandard housing, and it looks as if my remedies are very limited. Moving is a great hassle and isn't cheap.