When is just compensation required in the context of eminent domain?

Just compensation is required specifically when property is taken without the owner's consent, a situation that arises under the legal principle of eminent domain. In such cases, the government or an authorized entity has the right to seize private property for public use, but they are legally obligated to provide fair compensation to the property owner. This is to ensure that owners do not suffer economic hardship as a result of the Government's exercise of its powers for public benefit.

This concept is rooted in the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which states that private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation. The requirement for just compensation helps to balance the interests of the government in pursuing public projects with the property rights of individuals.

In contrast, scenarios such as willing sales (where the property owner has consented) or conveyance to a developer do not involve the same legal obligation for just compensation, as the property owner is voluntarily engaging in a transaction. Similarly, when an owner requests a valuation, this does not trigger the necessity for just compensation as it is initiated by the owner rather than by an action of government taking the property.