In the event of a contract dispute, which of the following takes precedence?

In contract law, when there is a dispute regarding the terms of an agreement, the principle of interpreting contracts often states that handwritten words take precedence over printed text. This is because handwritten elements are usually considered to reflect the true intentions of the parties involved since they indicate a conscious effort to modify or clarify specific terms. Therefore, if a contract contains both handwritten and printed components, the handwritten words will be deemed to have greater significance, as they are viewed as more personalized and specific to the agreement at hand.

In contrast, printed words and boilerplate language, while essential, may not carry the same weight as handwritten modifications when it comes to clarifying intent. Items that have been crossed out indicate changes made to the original terms, but they do not possess the same priority as handwritten additions or modifications, which are seen as active expressions of intent. Understanding these nuances can help in navigating contract disputes effectively.