Legal Definitions - doctrine of contra proferentem

The doctrine of contra proferentem is a legal principle that applies to interpreting documents. It means that if there is any ambiguity in a document, it should be interpreted against the person who drafted it. This principle is also known as the ambiguity doctrine.

For example, if a contract is written in a way that is unclear or open to interpretation, the court will interpret it in favor of the party who did not draft the contract. This means that if there is any doubt about the meaning of a term or provision in the contract, the court will interpret it in a way that is more favorable to the non-drafting party.

The doctrine of contra proferentem is designed to protect parties who are not familiar with legal language or who may be at a disadvantage in negotiating a contract. By interpreting ambiguous terms against the drafter, the court ensures that both parties are treated fairly and that the contract is enforced in a way that is consistent with the intentions of both parties.