Opinion ID: 2567403
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: ¶ 1 We granted certiorari in this case to consider the court of appeals' assessment of the parol evidence rule. The trial court considered extrinsic evidence in determining that the lease at issue is invalid. The court of appeals reversed and held that while the trial court properly considered extrinsic evidence in determining whether the lease is an integrated writing, it erred in finding the lease to be invalid. The court of appeals so concluded primarily because the lease contains a clear integration clause. The court of appeals concluded that the lease is valid, integrated, and unambiguous. We consider the question of when extrinsic evidence is permitted on the question of integration where the contract at issue contains a clear integration clause. We conclude that extrinsic evidence of a separate oral agreement is not admissible in the face of such a clause. Thus, although we affirm the court of appeals' conclusion that the lease is valid, integrated, and unambiguous, we disagree with the court's assessment of the parol evidence rule insofar as it allowed extrinsic evidence to be considered in assessing whether the lease is an integration.