Civil Code Art. 1376: Interpretation

Statute: Civil Code
Article: Art. 1376
Topic: Interpretation of Contracts
Status: In force
Book: BOOK IV Obligations and Contracts
Title: TITLE II CONTRACTS
Chapter: CHAPTER 5 Interpretation of Contracts
Formerly: Art. 1287 of the old Civil Code
Year: 1949
Cited by: A Supreme Court decision

The provision

The usage or custom of the place shall be borne in mind in the interpretation of the ambiguities of a contract, and shall fill the omission of stipulations which are ordinarily established. (1287)

Intellegal Wiki · In plain terms

In interpreting a contract, the usage and custom of the place are taken into account to resolve ambiguities and to supply terms that are ordinarily included but were left out. Local practice thus helps clarify unclear provisions and fill gaps the parties did not spell out.

An editorially maintained plain-language explanation of this provision — not legal advice.

Cases applying this article

Werr Corporation International v. Highlands Prime G.R. No. 187543

Related provisions in this Chapter

Civil Code, Art. 1375 Interpretation of Contracts
Civil Code, Art. 1377 Interpretation of Contracts
Civil Code, Art. 1374 Interpretation of Contracts
Civil Code, Art. 1378 Interpretation of Contracts
Civil Code, Art. 1373 Interpretation of Contracts
Civil Code, Art. 1371 Interpretation of Contracts
Civil Code, Art. 1370 Interpretation of Contracts

Civil Code, Art. 1376 is found in CHAPTER 5 Interpretation of Contracts of TITLE II CONTRACTS of BOOK IV Obligations and Contracts of the Civil Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 386).

Browse the Civil Code

Search Philippine statutes on Intellegal →

Continue your research on Intellegal

Search Philippine statutes on Intellegal →

Reviewed by the Intellegal Legal Team for currency against amending laws and Supreme Court jurisprudence.

Research aid — not legal advice. Verify the current text against the Official Gazette. Provisions may have been amended or repealed. Using this page creates no attorney-client relationship. For legal advice, consult a Philippine lawyer.