A rule of contractual construction which states that extrinsic evidence cannot be used to vary the terms of a written contract. However, this rule is little more than a presumption that the written contract contains the entire agreement between the parties.

The parol evidence rule applies to integrated contracts and provides that when parties put their agreement in writing, all prior and contemporaneous oral or written agreements merge in the writing. The parol evidence rule does not apply to written integrated contracts in some instances.

There are some exceptions to the parol evidence rule. Evidence of the following is admissible: 1. Defects in the formation of the contract (such as fraud, duress, mistake or illegality). A related agreement, if it does not contradict or change the main contract.

For example, in a dispute over the sale of a home, if the buyer and seller have signed a written contract for the sale of a home and have written down that the sales price is $500,000, the buyer will be barred from introducing evidence of a discussion that he had with the seller where she agreed to sell it to him for …

The parol evidence rule governs the extent to which parties to a case may introduce into court evidence of a prior or contemporaneous agreement in order to modify, explain, or supplement the contract at issue. The rule excludes the admission of parol evidence.

Contract term: “A contractual [term is] “[a]ny provision forming part of a contract”.” Representation: “A representation is a statement of fact which does not amount to a term of the contract but it is one that the maker of the statement does not guarantee its truth.

In deciding whether a statement amounts to a term or representation the courts look at four factors: The parole evidence rule. Relative expertise of the parties. Importance of the statement.

The distinction between a mere representation and a contractual term lies in the fact that whilst a term forms part of the contract a mere representation does not; it is simply a factor which may have induced the representee to enter inta the ~ o n t r a c t .

A representation is a statement which induces the contract but does not form part of it. Where a representation is incorporated as a term of the agreement, and the representation turns out to be untrue, the innocent party can also bring an action for breach of contract, in addition to an action for misrepresentation.

 There is no definition for “implied representation”, the explanatory notes to the Act state that: “An example of a representation by conduct is where a person dishonestly misuses a credit card to pay for items. By tendering the card, he is falsely representing that he has the authority to use it.

Representation. Any action or conduct that can be turned into a statement of fact. The term representation is used in reference to any express or implied statement made by one of the parties to a contract to another, regarding a particular fact or circumstance that serves to influence the consummation of the deal.

It is possible for a representation to be made expressly or impliedly through words or conduct. For a representation to be implied, silence or mere assumption is not usually enough as there is no general duty of disclosure.

Contractual terms implied by law Terms implied in law are not terms that the parties to an agreement would have agreed to, but rather terms that arise as a legal incident of a particular legal relationship (Liverpool CC v Irwin, Shell v Lostock Garage, Scally v Southern Health and Crossley v Faithful & Gould).

Implied terms are those terms which the law implies into a contract notwithstanding the fact that they have not been discussed by the parties or referred to in a contract.

Contracts can be verbal (spoken), written or a combination of both. Some types of contract such as those for buying or selling real estate or finance agreements must be in writing. Written contracts may consist of a standard form agreement or a letter confirming the agreement.

For a contract to be valid, it must have four key elements: agreement, capacity, consideration, and intention.

No contract is valid unless it contains three essential elements: (1) the names of the “parties,” (2) the “subject matter,” and (3) “consideration.” Each of these terms is defined below.