McMeel on The Construction of Contracts

Interpretation, Implication, and Rectification

Now in its third edition, this authoritative work on the construction of contracts is an invaluable resource for legal practitioners and academics seeking to understand the legal principles involved in contract interpretation as well as the current trends in the neighbouring topics of implied terms and rectification. The third edition continues its principle-by-principle coverage of the main elements of contractual construction with reference to recent case law. Recent major construction of contract cases are discussed, including the UK Supreme Court decisions of Rainy Sky v Kookmin Bank (2011), Arnold v Britton (2015), the Lloyds Bank Bonds case (2016), and Wood v Capita Insurance Services (2017). Guidance is provided on balancing text, context, common sense and commercial purpose. The discussion of the implication of terms reflects the sceptical treatment of Belize Telecom (2009) in the Marks & Spencer case (2015). The issue of rectification addressed in detail in the new edition, reflecting the law's state of flux in this area with cases such as Daventry (2011), Cherry Tree v Landmain (2012) and Tartsinis v Navona (2015). The role of good faith is discussed with reference to Leggatt J in Yam Seng (2014) and the Court of Appeal in MSC Mediterranean Shipping v Cottonex (2016). Agreed damages clauses are revisited in the light of the reining in of the penalty rule in Cavendish v Makdessi (2016). There is consideration of Prime Sight v Lavarello (2013) and the Privy Council's reflections on contractual estoppel. Providing practical guidance on how courts would interpret contractual terms with reference to recent commercial contract litigation, this is the essential reference work for all commercial and corporate lawyers, both litigators and those negotiating and drafting deals.