Opinion ID: 1859809
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: whether frierson and delta outdoor had a meeting of the minds with regard to all of the essential terms of the contract

Text: ¶ 9. Frierson believes that no meeting of the minds occurred with Delta Outdoor under the terms of the lease agreement with respect to payment of the agreed upon consideration. Frierson argues that she expected immediate payment of the first installment upon signing the lease and the remainder of the balance to be paid in monthly installments. The terms of the contract clearly indicate that the first annual payment is due when installation of the billboard structure is complete. This Court has consistently held that contracts should be interpreted according to their specific terms and conditions. Warwick v. Gautier Util. Dist., 738 So.2d 212, 215 (Miss.1999). Additionally, where language in a legal instrument is without gross ambiguity, neither parol testimony nor other extrinsic evidence are admissible to construe the meaning of the language. Cooper v. Crabb, 587 So.2d 236, 241 (Miss.1991). Furthermore, the rule announced in Crabb is not merely a rule of evidence, but is one of substantive law. In measuring the rights of parties to a written contract which, on its face, is unambiguous and expresses an agreement complete in all of its essential terms, the writing will control. Sec. Mut. Fin. Corp. v. Willis, 439 So.2d 1278, 1281 (Miss.1983). We have clear and unambiguous language in the contract before us today that definitively set annual payments when the billboard structure was completed. Frierson had no reason to expect otherwise. There is no error here.