Principles of Contractual Interpretation
3rd Edition
Published on 26. May 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-19-889717-0 (ISBN)
Description
Written with the busy practitioner in mind, Principles of Contractual Interpretation offers a concise and authoritative guide to this complex area of commercial law. The authors distil the rules for constructing and interpreting contracts into ten core principles, each explored in its own chapter and illustrated with case law that shows how the principle operates in practice.
Now in its third edition, the book has been thoroughly revised to reflect eight years of developments in case law, considering landmark decisions such as Wells v Devani, Tesco v USDAW, Barton v Morris, Tinkler v HMRC, and FSHC Group Holdings Ltd v Glas Trust Corporation Ltd. New sections examine the enforceability of implied terms, the scope of rectification, purposive interpretation, and the role of good faith and entire agreement clauses.
With expanded coverage and updated commentary, this edition remains an indispensable resource for lawyers, judges, and anyone involved in drafting or litigating commercial contracts.
Now in its third edition, the book has been thoroughly revised to reflect eight years of developments in case law, considering landmark decisions such as Wells v Devani, Tesco v USDAW, Barton v Morris, Tinkler v HMRC, and FSHC Group Holdings Ltd v Glas Trust Corporation Ltd. New sections examine the enforceability of implied terms, the scope of rectification, purposive interpretation, and the role of good faith and entire agreement clauses.
With expanded coverage and updated commentary, this edition remains an indispensable resource for lawyers, judges, and anyone involved in drafting or litigating commercial contracts.
More details
Edition
3rd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 233 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
440 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-889717-0 (9780198897170)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Richard Calnan is a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP in London and an Honorary Professor at University College London. His practice involves a broad range of corporate and financial transactions, restructurings, and insolvencies. He has written a number of books, articles, and chapters on commercial law, including Proprietary Rights and Insolvency (2nd edn OUP 2016) and Principles of Statutory Interpretation (OUP 2023).
Paul S. Davies is Professor of Commercial Law at University College London and a Barrister at Essex Court Chambers. He was previously a Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge and St Catherine's College, Oxford. Paul has also worked at the Law Commission. In 2020, Paul was awarded a Philip Leverhulme Prize in Law, which 'recognises the achievement of outstanding researchers whose work has already attracted international recognition and whose future career is exceptionally promising'.
Paul S. Davies is Professor of Commercial Law at University College London and a Barrister at Essex Court Chambers. He was previously a Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge and St Catherine's College, Oxford. Paul has also worked at the Law Commission. In 2020, Paul was awarded a Philip Leverhulme Prize in Law, which 'recognises the achievement of outstanding researchers whose work has already attracted international recognition and whose future career is exceptionally promising'.
Content
Prologue I. The Guiding Principle 1: Principle 1: Objective Intention II .Text and Context 2: Principle 2: The Text 3: Principle 3: The Whole Text 4: Principle 4: The Context III. Understanding Words 5: Principle 5: Natural Meaning 6: Principle 6: Ambiguity 7: Principle 7: Unnatural Meaning IV Adding Words 8: Principle 8: Implied Terms V Changing Words 9: Principle 9: Rectification 10: Principle 10: Estoppel by Convention Epilogue, Principles of Drafting, An Interpretation Clause