Contract interpretation

Under California law, interpretation of the language of a contract is a question of law, to be determined exclusively by the court. The court interprets a contract "to give effect to the mutual intention of the parties." Since intent is inferred, if possible, "solely from the written provisions of the contract..., [i]f contractual language is clear and explicit, it governs." Only when terms are ambiguous, does the court look to extrinsic evidence to aid interpretation, while straining not to find ambiguity where none exists.