When a person goes to court to have a provision of a contract interpreted, the court will
A) determine the meaning of the words by asking the parties what the meant.
B) seek the most reasonable meaning that can be attributed to the words in the circumstances.
C) ask a jury to determine the meaning of the words.
D) examine the facts of the situation and then ask the parties what the meant.
E) assign its own meaning to the words.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When interpreting a contract provision, the court will seek the most reasonable meaning that can be attributed to the words in the circumstances. This is because the goal of contract interpretation is to give effect to the shared intentions of the parties, and the most reasonable meaning will best achieve that goal. The court will consider the language used in the contract, the context in which the provision was negotiated and entered into, and any other relevant circumstances. The court will not simply ask the parties what they meant, as the meaning of the contract is an objective inquiry that does not depend solely on the parties' subjective intentions. The court will also not assign its own meaning to the words; rather, it will seek to give effect to the intended meaning of the parties.

When a Person Goes to Court to Have a Provision