The Parol Evidence Rule is a legal doctrine that prevents parties in a contract dispute from presenting extrinsic evidence of terms or conditions that contradict or add to the written terms of the contract. It ensures that the written contract is the final and complete expression of the parties’ agreement.
Legal Context:
In law, the Parol Evidence Rule bars the introduction of oral agreements or written communications that occurred before or at the time of the contract’s execution if they contradict the contract’s written terms. Exceptions to this rule include cases of fraud, mistake, or ambiguity in the contract.
Example
If two parties enter into a written contract for the sale of goods, and one party later claims there was an oral agreement for a different price, the Parol Evidence Rule would likely prevent the court from considering this oral agreement, as it contradicts the written contract.
