What general principle(s) are used in interpreting contractual provisions? The majority of jurisdictions interpret contract provisions based upon their plain meaning. That is, if a contract term is unambiguous, then the court will apply the meaning commonly applied to...

When is a contract required to be in writing?Some valid contracts are required to be in writing to be enforceable by a court of law. The requirement that a contract be in writing is generally dependent upon the subject matter of the agreement. A statute requiring that...

Who are the beneficiaries of the contract?The parties to the contract are the primary beneficiaries. In general, individuals who are not parties to a contract have no rights to sue to enforce the contract or to get damages for a breach of contract. There are, however,...

Rules for Reading a Contract