California Codes, Civil Code - CIV, Division 3 — Obligations, Part 2 — Contracts, Title 3 — Interpretation of Contracts, Section 1636
A contract must be so interpreted as to give effect to the mutual intention of the parties as it existed at the time of contracting, so far as the same is ascertainable and lawful.
Notes
Requires a contract to be interpreted to give effect to the parties’ mutual intention as it existed when they contracted, so far as that intention can be ascertained and is lawful. Contract interpretation therefore focuses on the parties’ shared lawful intent at formation rather than a later-developed intention.
Use as reference
Lexinter.net | California Code, Civil Code - CIV § 1636 | https://laws.lexinter.net/codes/california/civil-code/division-3/part-2/title-3/section-1636