Plain-Meaning Rule

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A principle used by courts in interpreting contracts that provides that the objective definitions of contractual terms are controlling, irrespective of whether the language comports with the actual intention of either party.

The plain meaning of the contract will be followed where the words used—whether written or oral—have a clear and unambiguous meaning. Words are given their ordinary meaning; technical terms are given their technical meaning; and local, cultural, or Trade Usage of terms are recognized as applicable. The circumstances surrounding the formation of the contract are also admissible to aid in the interpretation.

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conservative reading contracts Course of Performance defined meaning distinct meaning interpretation Legislative History literal meaning narrow meaning Parol Evidence Rule rule strict construction strict meaning			Here's what I mean by that: When appellate courts apply the plain-meaning rule to construe a statute by using language in the way in which it is used in everyday speech, they are primarily doing two things. What appellate judges do by Sims, Rick / Journal of Appellate Practice and Process It is a misnomer to say, as the plain-meaning rule says, that, if the language is plain and unambiguous, there is no room for interpretation, because application of the statutory language to the facts of the case is interpretation of that language. Connecticut abandons 'plain-meaning' rule for statutory interpretation by Hellwege, Jean / Trial			placing placing in confinement placing in office placitum plagiarism Plagiarius plagiarize plagiary Plagium plague plagued by conscience plagueful plaguesome plain plain English plain error plain interpretation plain language plain meaning plain sense plain speaking plain speech Plain View Doctrine plain words Plain-Error Rule Plain-Meaning Rule plain-speaking plain-spoken plainly plainspeaking plainspoken plaint plaintful plaintiff Plaintiff in error plaintiff's attorney plaintiff’s allegations plaintiff’s initiatory pleading plaintive plait plan plan a crime plan an unlawful act plan mischief plan of action plan of attack plan of campaign plan of offensive plan on plan out plan strategy			plain weave plain weave Plain White T's Plain White T's Plain White T's plain whorl plain wool plain wool plain wool plain wool plain wool Plain Words Plain Words, a guide to the use of English Plain, the plain-bodied plain-bodied plain-bodied plain-bodied plain-bodied Plain-breasted Hawk Plain-carbon steel Plain-carbon steel plain-clothes plain-cut joint Plain-dealing Plain-Error Rule Plain-hearted plain-Jane plain-laid plain-laid Plain-Meaning Rule Plain-Paper Optimized Printing plain-sawing plain-sawn Plain-song Plain-song Plain-song plain-speaking Plain-spoken Plain-spoken Plain-text Plain-Text Block Chaining plain-vanilla plain-woven Plainant plainchant plainchant plainchant plainclothes plainclothes plainclothes man plainclothesman Plaine des Jarres Plaine des Jarres plained plained plained plained plained plained plainer

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