> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://studies-de-jure.gitbook.io/learn/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://studies-de-jure.gitbook.io/learn/sourcebooks/business-law-i/common-law-contracts/the-parol-evidence-rule.md).

# The Parol Evidence Rule

Courts often must interpret the meaning of a contract. When the contract is written, courts will look within the “four corners” of the document and apply the contract as written. The **Parol Evidence Rule** is the principle that a writing intended by the parties to be a final embodiment of their agreement cannot be modified by evidence that adds to, varies, or contradicts the writing. This rule usually prevents a party from introducing evidence of negotiations that occurred before or while the agreement was being reduced to its final written form.

However, there are several important exceptions that allow oral statements to be admitted:

1. Subsequent modifications;
2. Evidence of intentional misrepresentations by a party;
3. Correcting errors in drafting;
4. Clarifying ambiguities and filling in gaps; and
5. Supplements to a partially integrated contract.

As a result of the parol evidence rule, businesses should do their due diligence to ensure any written contracts fully and adequately include the essential terms of their agreement.

***

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<summary>Attributions and Licensing</summary>

Except where otherwise noted, this page's content is adapted from [Parol Evidence Rule](https://pressbooks.pub/introductiontobusinesslaw/chapter/chapter-10/) in [*Fundamentals of Business Law* ](https://pressbooks.pub/introductiontobusinesslaw/)by Melissa Randall (2020), used under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/).

This page is licensed under [CC BY-NC-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). <img src="/files/pPi3atcoqT9rA4kTq80x" alt="" data-size="line">

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