What is the parol evidence rule?
A)the rule that requires that persons on parole seek the approval of a court before entering into any contract
B)the rule that requires a party to a contract from adducing evidence from a third party regarding discussions he or she may have had with such a third party about the provisions of a contract
C)a rule that prevents convicted persons on parole from entering into contractual obligations
D)the rule that prevents a party from adding to a contract a term that was previously agreed upon but was not included in the final written contract
E)the rule that prevents a court from interpreting a contract that is illegal

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The parol evidence rule is a principle that prohibits a party to a written contract from offering extrinsic evidence (such as oral statements or agreements made before or at the time of the signing of the written contract) to add to, vary or contradict the terms of a final written agreement. In other words, if there is a written contract containing all the relevant terms, the parties are generally not allowed to introduce evidence of prior or contemporaneous negotiations or agreements to alter or add to those terms. This limits the ability of parties to renege on their written commitments by introducing evidence of prior agreements that contradict the written terms of the contract. Choice D correctly states the definition of the parol evidence rule.

What Is the Parol Evidence Rule