In interpreting a contract that has both typed and pre-printed (form) terms that conflict, courts commonly give priority to:
Explanation
Civil Code §1651 provides that where a contract is partly written and partly printed, the written parts control the printed parts where the two are inconsistent, and §1650 subordinates particular clauses to the contract's general intent. The reasoning is evidentiary: the parties negotiated the typed line, they merely inherited the boilerplate. (a) reverses the rule. (d) hands the tie to the drafter, which is backwards twice over — Civil Code §1654 resolves genuine ambiguity AGAINST the party who caused it to exist. (b) treats an internal conflict as fatal, but §1641 requires the whole of a contract to be read together so as to give effect to every part rather than to void it.
Law Reference: Civil Code §1641, §1650, §1651, §1654This topic, taught in full in the CSLB Law & Business guide. CSLB Law & Business — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
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