Libro Quinto · Título V Capítulo VI. Interpretación de los contratos

When the terms or concepts of the contract are clear and leave no room for doubt as to the intention of the contracting parties, the literal meaning of its clauses shall be followed.

If the words are different from or contrary to the evident intention of the contracting parties, the latter shall prevail over the former.

However general the terms in which a contract is drafted may be, distinct things and different cases from those that the interested parties intended to contract for shall not be deemed included therein.

Phrases and words that may be interpreted in different senses shall be understood in the sense that is most consistent with the subject matter of the contract.

If any clause allows diverse or contrary meanings, it shall be understood in the most suitable sense for it to produce effect, according to the nature of the contract.

When two or more clauses contradict each other, in such a way that their coexistence is impossible, the clause or clauses that are most consistent with the nature of the contract and with the intention of the parties shall prevail.

The clauses of the contracts shall be interpreted one by another, attributing to those that are doubtful the meaning resulting from all of them taken together.

Ambiguous clauses shall be interpreted in accordance with what usage and custom determine in the place where the contract was executed.

Obscure, ambiguous or contradictory clauses of a contract, inserted in models or forms prepared in advance by one of the contracting parties, shall be interpreted in favor of the other contracting party.

When in a contract a case has been expressed to explain the obligation, it shall not be understood that it was intended to restrict the entire obligation to this case alone, excluding the others to which it naturally extends.

If the doubt cannot be resolved by the means indicated, it shall be decided in favor of the obligor.

Where an obligation is concerned, in case of doubt, the negative shall be favored over the affirmative, and vice versa, where a release is concerned.

When, by the terms in which the contract is conceived, the intention or will of the contracting parties regarding the principal object cannot be known, the obligation lacks value.