Rule of adverse construction

The rule of adverse construction, also known as the “construction-against-the-draftsman” rule, is a principal of Contract Interpretation that provides that the meaning of an ambiguous contract will be construed against the drafter of the agreement. The rule of adverse construction is a “secondary rule of interpretation” or a “rule of last resort,” which should not be utilized if the parties' intent can otherwise be conclusively determined. ''Emerald Pointe Prop. Owners' Ass'n, Inc. v. Commercial Const. Indus., Inc., 978 So.2d 873, 880 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008), citing Sch. Bd. of Broward County v. Great Am. Ins. Co., 807 So.2d 750, 752 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002); DSL Internet Corp. v. TigerDirect, Inc., 907 So.2d 1203, 1205 (Fla. 3d DCA 2005); Child v. Child'', 474 So.2d 299 (Fla. 3d DCA 1985).