Opinion ID: 1447807
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Corbin view

Text: Under the view embraced by Professor Corbin and the Second Restatement, there is no need to make a preliminary finding of ambiguity before the judge considers extrinsic evidence. 3 CORBIN § 542, at 100-05 (1992 Supp.); Restatement § 212 cmt. b; FARNSWORTH § 7.12, at 272; Gottsfield, supra, at 384. Instead, the court considers all of the proffered evidence to determine its relevance to the parties' intent and then applies the parol evidence rule to exclude from the fact finder's consideration only the evidence that contradicts or varies the meaning of the agreement. 3 CORBIN § 542, at 100-01 (1992 Supp.). According to Corbin, the court cannot apply the parol evidence rule without first understanding the meaning the parties intended to give the agreement. Id. To understand the agreement, the judge cannot be restricted to the four corners of the document. Again, even under the Corbin view, the court can admit evidence for interpretation but must stop short of contradiction. See 3 CORBIN § 574, at 371-72; Gottsfield, supra, at 386-87, 392.