Manning v. Potomac Electric Power Co.

After the chancellor decreed that a plaintiff was entitled to specific performance of an option to purchase real estate, the defendant appealed.

Two questions are presented: (1) Was the option contract fair and reasonable, in the sense that these terms are used in the law relating to specific performance, so as to justify the relief granted?; and (2) Did the availability of the right of eminent domain oust the jurisdiction of the equity court to grant specific performance?

In 1958, the defendant below, Mrs. Manning, acquired a tract of 6.74 acres of land near Naurel, in Prince George’s County,…