complete integration

Complete Integration refers to a record of the full expression of two parties’ intent. An oral discussion or written document is a complete integration if it captures the full agreement between the parties on some subject matter. Complete integration is contrasted with partial integration , or an expression of some of the terms of an agreement. Whether integration exists is frequently a point of dispute in contract law .

Contract disputes often involve what exactly was bargained for between two parties in a given contract. If the contract in dispute is completely integrated, parol evidence , or evidence outside the terms of the contract, is inadmissible to contradict the terms of that contract. As a result, establishing that a contract is completely integrated will prevent another party from raising contradictory oral agreements or evidence of past contracts.

To establish that a given contract is completely integrated, that contract will often contain an integration clause .

[Last reviewed in July of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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