Contract Drafting and Interpretation

The Landmark Decision by Singapore Court of Appeal in Zurich Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd v B-Gold Interior Design & Construction Pte Ltd [2008] SGCA 27 and how it impacts the interpretation of contracts.

31 July 2008, Thursday
2.30pm to 4.30pm

Speakers:
Adrian Tan, Director, Dispute Resolution Department
Ralph Lim, Director, Banking & Corporate Department

Venue: Marina Mandarin Singapore, Taurus & Leo Rooms

Synopsis

In a recent decision of the Singapore Court of Appeal, Zurich Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd v B-Gold Interior Design & Construction Pte Ltd [2008] SGCA 27, the adoption of the contextual approach to contractual interpretation was affirmed. The Court also consolidated and restated its views of the law in Singapore on when and to what extent extrinsic evidence may be admitted for the purposes of interpreting written contracts.

This seminar will be a discussion on how the case affects the interpretation of contracts and the impact this has on contract drafting. Other key questions which will be addressed during this seminar include:

- When can the court depart from the plain and ordinary meaning of a contract?
- When is extrinsic evidence admissible to aid the interpretation of a contract?
- Must evidence of previous negotiations and subjective intent always be disregarded?
- What is the potential impact of an "entire agreement" clause?
- What is the approach to contract interpretation and drafting today?