COMM 393 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Parol Evidence Rule
Document Summary
Strict (plain meaning) approach restricts interpretation to the ordinary dictionary meaning of a word. Liberal approach looks to the intent of the parties and surrounding circumstances and tends to minimize, but not ignore, the importance of the words actually used. A court will look outside the contract to the surrounding circumstances as a means of clearing up ambiguities. Courts begin with the dictionary definitions of words used, then examines their meaning the context of the contract and surrounding circumstances. Special usage of words in particular trades or technical language in contracts can be construed as having the technical definition. Parol evidence rule prevents a party from adding a term previously agreed upon in negotiations but not included in the final written contract, (parol extrinsic to, outside the contract) Implied term not expressly included by the parties in the agreement but which, as reasonable people, they would have included had they thought about it.
