What does the Parol Evidence Rule state regarding written contracts?

The Parol Evidence Rule is a legal principle that maintains the integrity of written contracts. Specifically, it stipulates that once parties have reduced their agreement to writing, any prior oral or written statements that were made before the contract was executed cannot be used to contradict or modify the terms of the written agreement. In essence, if there is a written contract that clearly outlines the terms agreed upon by the parties, previous discussions or negotiations that were not included in that contract become irrelevant to any disputes that arise later.

This principle helps to ensure that the written document is viewed as the final and complete representation of the agreement between the parties. It reinforces the idea that parties should be diligent in ensuring that all important terms and understood agreements are captured in the written form before signing. As such, past oral discussions are effectively ignored in the context of enforcing the written contract.