complete integration

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Complete Integration refers to a record of the full expression of two parties’ intent. An oral discussion or written document is a complete integration if it captures the full agreement between the parties on some subject matter. Complete integration is contrasted with partial integration, or an expression of some of the terms of an agreement. Whether integration exists is frequently a point of dispute in contract law

Contract disputes often involve what exactly was bargained for between two parties in a given contract. If the contract in dispute is completely integrated, parol evidence, or evidence outside the terms of the contract, is inadmissible to contradict the terms of that contract. As a result, establishing that a contract is completely integrated will prevent another party from raising contradictory oral agreements or evidence of past contracts. 

To establish that a given contract is completely integrated, that contract will often contain an integration clause

[Last updated in July of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]