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Part III Understanding Words, 5 Principle 5: Natural Meanings

From: Principles of Contractual Interpretation (2nd Edition)

Richard Calnan

From: Oxford Legal Research Library (http://olrl.ouplaw.com). (c) Oxford University Press, 2023. All Rights Reserved.date: 28 March 2023

Subject(s):
Interpretation and trade practices

This chapter is concerned with what words mean. It states the basic principle that words are nearly always given their ordinary meaning in their context. It discusses the controversy about whether words do have an ordinary meaning, and looks at what is meant by reading words in their context. It discusses the basic principle that, once it has been decided what the ordinary meaning of words is in their context, then they are given effect however odd the result. It considers definition clauses, technical terms, common expressions and standard form contracts. It discusses the canons of construction such as ejusdem generis. It also discusses how to distinguish the interpretation of contracts from their categorization.

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