314. Interpretation Disputed Words

314. Interpretation--Disputed Words Instruction No 1 Request by Plaintiff Given as Proposed Refused Withdrawn Request by Defendant Given as Modified Requested by Given on Court's Motion Judge Instruction No 1 [Name of plaintiff] and [name of defendant] dispute the meaning of the following words contained in their contract: [insert disputed language]. [Name of plaintiff] claims that the words mean: [insert plaintiff's interpretation]. [Name of defendant] claims that the words mean: [insert defendant's interpretation]. [Name of plaintiff] must prove that [his/her/its] interpretation is correct. In deciding what the words of a contract mean, you must decide what the parties intended at the time the contract was created. You may consider the usual and ordinary meaning of the language used in the contract as well as the circumstances surrounding the making of the contract. [The following instructions may also help you interpret the words of the contract:] ___________________________________________________________________________ New September 2003; Revised December 2014