4.1 Overview

• Library: Contract Law in Virginia (Virginia CLE) (2019 Ed.)

4.1 OVERVIEW

The drafters of contracts generally work hard to include provisions expressing the parties' decisions about issues that may arise in the performance of the contract. This is necessarily so because "'the law looks with favor upon the making of contracts between competent parties upon valid consideration and for lawful purposes.'" ¹ But the degree to which the drafters are able to anticipate the future or to select words that perfectly convey the parties' intent varies. Sometimes, it may not be possible to achieve this ideal. ² Thus, occasions arise when the parties' obligations must be determined. This chapter examines how Virginia law deals with parties to a contract at this juncture. Will the law lead them to an answer? Will they need to...