What controls – a written contract or an e-mail?
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What controls – a written contract or an e-mail?
Hello, I’m a wedding photographer and I have a client who claims I agreed to provide a wedding album to them, however, she says that I made this promise by email. This provision isn’t in the agreed upon contract that we both signed. She says that an email is a contractual promise. Is this true? Do I owe her an album if it’s not stated in our official contract?
Asked on April 24, 2012 under Business Law, Tennessee
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The contract is controlling and you are not liable for not providing the wedding album based on an e-mail with provisions not included in the contract. Both parties agreed and signed a contract without the wedding album being included; therefore, the wedding album is not part of the contract. Parol evidence (items outside the contract, negotiations, understandings, etc) is not admissible to vary or contradict the terms of the contract.
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