Exclusion of evidence to explain or amend ambiguous document
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Summary
If a written document is on its face ambiguous or has blanks, outside facts cannot be offered to show what the words meant or to fill the defects. This rule kicks in when the ambiguity or defect is apparent from the document itself. Such external evidence is excluded, so the court must rely on the document as written.
Example
Ravi signs a written agreement to sell a horse to Priya for "one lakh rupees or one lakh fifty thousand rupees." If they later dispute the price, the court will not allow outside evidence to show which amount the parties intended.
Bare Act
Enacted textWhen the language used in a document is, on its face, ambiguous or defective, evidence may not be given of facts which would show its meaning or supply its defects.
Illustrations.
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(a) A agrees, in writing, to sell a horse to B for "one lakh rupees or one lakh fifty thousand rupees". Evidence cannot be given to show which price was to be given.
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(b) A deed contains blanks. Evidence cannot be given of facts which would show how they were meant to be filled.
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