Court Opinion

ID: 9649661
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 15:05:15.259645+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:12:13.529267
License: Public Domain

ROBERTS, Justice
(concurring).
Although I concur in the majority’s result, I cannot join in most of its analysis. Well-settled principles of contract law support the chancellor’s findings. Thus, there is no need for the majority’s extended discussion of the doctrine of promoter’s liability.
Appellee contracted to sell property to appellant. Appellant argues that a clause in the written agreement, which he drafted, relieves him of liability provided he forms a corporation before the closing date.* He claims this is so regardless whether the new corporation adopts the contract.
The agreement, as drafted, does not specifically address whether appellant is relieved of liability upon the mere formation of a new corporation. Rather, it is ambiguous because it is susceptible of two possible constructions. Under appellant’s proposed construction, the contract allows him to avoid liability completely, leaving appellee no rights under the contract. As the majority correctly notes, it is unlikely that appellee agreed to such unreasonable terms.
When determining the intent of the parties to an ambiguous agreement, preference should be given to that construction which is both rational and probable. Frickert v. Deiter Bros. Fuel Co., Inc., 464 Pa. 596, 602, 347 A.2d 701, 704 (1975); Consolidated Tile & Slate Co. v. Fox, 410 Pa. 336, 339, 189 A.2d 228, 229-30 (1963); see 3 Corbin on Contracts § 553 (2d ed. 1960); 4 Williston on Contracts, § 610B (3d ed. 1961). Additionally, an ambiguous clause in an agreement should be construed *229against the interest of the drafting party: appellant. Galligan v. Arovitch, 421 Pa. 301, 303, 219 A.2d 463, 465 (1966); Consolidated Tile & Slate Co. v. Fox, supra, 410 Pa. at 339, 189 A.2d at 229; see Corbin, supra at § 559. Thus, the chancellor’s finding that the parties agreed to hold appellant liable until such time as the new corporation adopted the agreement is fully supported in the record. I therefore concur in the majority’s result.
NIX, J., joins in this concurring opinion.

 For full text of the disputed clause, see majority opinion, supra at 832.