Court Opinion

ID: 9653228
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 17:41:36.361041+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:12:57.182819
License: Public Domain

DISSENTING OPINION
DONNELLY, Judge.
The principal opinion holds that plaintiffs are entitled to specific performance of the contract to purchase the 93-acre tract, executed April 7, 1961. It is undisputed that plaintiffs defaulted on this contract when they failed to make the payment due January 1, 1963. Article Eight of said contract provided as follows:
“In the event of default of Second Parties in the performance of the terms and conditions set forth herein prior to January 1, 1966, it is agreed First Parties shall have the right to re-enter said 93 acres and take possession thereof and Second Parties shall forfeit any payments made hereunder * *
The principal opinion holds that plaintiffs were justified in delaying said payment. I do not agree. Plaintiffs should have made the payment directly to defendant on January 1, 1963. “A fundamental rule is that where plaintiff has wholly failed to meet the substantial terms of the very agreement on which he relies, he cannot complain if a court of equity leaves him where he has placed himself. This is a plain rule of fairness that has become a maxim of the law.” McQuary v. Missouri Land Co. of Scotland, 230 Mo. 342, 361-362, 130 S.W. 335, 340.
I respectfully dissent.