What role does the 'Parole Evidence Rule' serve in contract law?

The Parole Evidence Rule serves the important purpose of maintaining the integrity of written contracts by preventing the introduction of outside evidence that contradicts or alters the terms of a written agreement. Essentially, if a contract is deemed complete and unambiguous, parties are restricted to the words contained within that written document when interpreting the agreement. This rule protects the established terms and minimizes disputes about what was intended by the parties beyond their written expressions, ensuring that all parties have clarity on the agreed-upon terms.

While the other options may relate to contract law concepts in different ways, they do not accurately describe the function of the Parole Evidence Rule. For example, while oral agreements can be relevant to certain types of contracts, the Parole Evidence Rule explicitly emphasizes the primacy of the written document, thereby limiting the enforceability of any oral modifications that are not reflected in writing. Additionally, it does not address the duration of contracts or explicitly define party obligations—these aspects are usually determined within the contract itself, rather than through the lens of the Parole Evidence Rule.