parol evidence
Facts outside a contractual agreement that may be used to interpret the agreement.
Contract law prescribes a complicated set of tests—termed the parol evidence
rule—by which the admissibility of parol evidence in discerning the contracting
parties' intent may be decided. The admissibility of parol evidence is extremely
limited in cases of an integrated agreement—a contract whose provisions make
it clear that it contains within itself all the terms of the agreement between
the parties. The "entire contract" clause found in many insurance policies are
intended to make those policies integrated agreements and prevent the use of
parol evidence in interpreting them.
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CRT III.D