The Parol Evidence Rule

The Parol Evidence Rule is a legal principle that limits the use of outside evidence when interpreting a written contract. If the contract is clear and complete, courts typically won't allow verbal agreements or prior written statements to change its meaning. This rule helps ensure stability and reliability by upholding the written document as the final and definitive source of the parties' agreement, promoting fairness by preventing one party from later claiming something different than what was explicitly agreed upon in writing.