What does the Four Corners Rule entail?

The Four Corners Rule specifically refers to a legal principle in contract law that restricts the interpretation of a written agreement to the contents found within that document alone. This means that when a dispute arises regarding the terms of a contract, the court will look strictly at the text of the contract, without considering any external or extraneous evidence. The rationale behind this rule is to ensure that contracts are clear and that their meaning can be determined without ambiguity or the influence of outside factors.

Choosing the correct interpretation ensures that the integrity of the written document remains intact, providing certainty and predictability in legal agreements. This is particularly important in land surveying and property disputes, where the written documentation is critical for establishing rights and boundaries. By adhering strictly to what is stated within the "four corners" of the document, it helps prevent misinterpretation that could arise from personal intentions or discussions that occurred outside of the documented agreement.