Civil Code Art. 1378: Interpretation of

Statute: Civil Code
Article: Art. 1378
Topic: Interpretation of Contracts
Book: BOOK IV Obligations and Contracts
Title: TITLE II CONTRACTS
Chapter: CHAPTER 5 Interpretation of Contracts
Formerly: Art. 1289 of the old Civil Code
Year: 1949

The provision

When it is absolutely impossible to settle doubts by the rules established in the preceding articles, and the doubts refer to incidental circumstances of a gratuitous contract, the least transmission of rights and interests shall prevail. If the contract is onerous, the doubt shall be settled in favor of the greatest reciprocity of interests. If the doubts are cast upon the principal object of the contract in such a way that it cannot be known what may have been the intention or will of the parties, the contract shall be null and void. (1289)

Cases applying this article

Spouses Ernesto v. Court of Appeals G.R. No. 125888

Related provisions in this Chapter

Civil Code, Art. 1376 Interpretation of Contracts
Civil Code, Art. 1375 Interpretation of Contracts
Civil Code, Art. 1374 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. 1378 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).

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