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Issues:
Construction of contract between building contractor and restaurant owners for works of alteration, construction, and fitting up in a restaurant. Analysis: The judgment revolves around the interpretation of a contract between a building contractor and restaurant owners for renovation works. The contract, dated 5th March 1919, contained three key clauses. The first clause detailed the payment terms and obligations of the contractor to supply materials and perform services. The second clause outlined the consequences if the building construction posed difficulties, and the third clause addressed the reimbursement for excess labor and materials or shortfall in value compared to the agreed amount of $3,000. A dispute arose regarding the amount payable by the building owners to the contractor. The County Court judge initially ruled in favor of the contractor, considering the third clause inapplicable. However, the Supreme Court of Ontario reversed this decision, emphasizing the importance of reading the first and third clauses together. The Supreme Court of Canada, on appeal, overturned the Ontario decision, leading to the case being brought before the Privy Council. The Privy Council highlighted the legal principle that if a later contract clause contradicts or nullifies an earlier clause, the latter is rejected. However, if the later clause only modifies the earlier one, both clauses are to be given effect. The council analyzed the clauses in detail, concluding that the third clause qualified the obligations in the first clause, and both clauses could be harmoniously read together to ascertain the parties' intentions. Additionally, the council addressed the misconception in interpreting the contract price, emphasizing that the $3,000 mentioned in the first clause was not necessarily the fixed price for the work but rather the consideration for undertaking the obligation. The council ultimately upheld the judgment of the Supreme Court of Ontario, allowing the appeal, restoring the Ontario order, and awarding costs to the appellant. In conclusion, the Privy Council's decision clarified the interpretation of the contract clauses, emphasizing the need to consider the entire contract to discern the parties' intentions and obligations accurately. The judgment reaffirmed the importance of harmonizing conflicting clauses to give effect to the contract as a whole.
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