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LSDefine
Simple English definitions for legal terms
intrinsic ambiguity
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A quick definition of intrinsic ambiguity:
Intrinsic ambiguity is when a word or phrase in a contract or law can have more than one meaning. This can cause confusion and uncertainty about what the contract or law is supposed to mean. It is different from latent ambiguity, which is when the confusion only arises when the contract or law is applied to a specific situation, and patent ambiguity, which is when the confusion is obvious from the language itself.A more thorough explanation:
Intrinsic ambiguity is a type of ambiguity that is clearly visible on the face of a document. It arises from the language used in the document itself. This type of ambiguity is also known as patent ambiguity.
- A contract states that a product will be delivered in "two weeks." However, it is unclear whether this means 14 calendar days or 10 business days.
- A lease agreement states that a tenant is responsible for "reasonable wear and tear." However, it is unclear what constitutes "reasonable" wear and tear.
These examples illustrate how the language used in a document can create confusion or uncertainty about its meaning. In both cases, the ambiguity is clearly visible on the face of the document and does not require any additional information or context to be understood.