Contractual Intent Versus Written Agreement

The court considered an appeal concerning a contractual dispute where one party alleged the existence of a secret side agreement intended to circumvent a written contract's explicit terms, specifically relating to the transfer of property or rights. The court of appeal had upheld the validity of the written agreement, finding insufficient evidence of the alleged secret agreement's scope or binding nature, and thus ruled against the party relying on it. The highest court overturned this decision, reasoning that the lower court failed to properly investigate and evaluate all evidence presented regarding the parties' true mutual intention, particularly where one party claimed the written document did not reflect the entire agreement, which constituted a denial of justice by refusing to examine a material element of the dispute.