Title

IV.5.5 - Falsa demonstratio rule

Content

No. IV.5.5 - Falsa demonstratio rule

In case the parties have used the wrong term but mean the same thing, their common intention prevails ("falsa demonstratio non nocet").

Commentary

This Principle is a specific example of Principle IV.5.1. If the common intention of the parties can be determined, that common intention prevails over a different wording of the contract.

References

Court Decisions

Frederick E. Rose (London) Ld. v. William H. Pim Jnr & Co Ld., [1953] QB at Page 450 et seq.

Doctrine

Beech, Jonathan, Mistake over th terms of contract: A comparative analysis of England, France and Germany, in: The Student Journal of LawLüderitz, Alexander, Auslegung von Rechtsgeschäften, Karlsruhe 1966Treitel, Guenter, The Law of Contract (11. ed, 2003), p. 191 et seq.

Model Laws

American Restatement 2nd of the Law of Contracts

TransLex Principle

falsa demonstratio non nocet (Haakjöringsköd-Fall), RGZ 99, 147