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

Model Laws

American Restatement 2nd of the Law of Contracts

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.

TransLex Principle

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

Court Decisions

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