Generative Gap Filling

A recent study challenges the long-held assumption that contractual gaps, when unresolvable by textual interpretation, provide insufficient evidence for courts to determine original intent. Research involving masked contractual terms found that lay respondents could accurately predict the removed term approximately 50% of the time, suggesting that remaining contract text often contains more implicit information about the parties' original bargain than previously understood.

This research provides a new perspective on contract interpretation and dispute resolution. It suggests that more systematic approaches might be developed to discern original intent from incomplete contractual documents, potentially reducing reliance on external commercial defaults or judicial policy preferences. This could lead to more predictable and consistent outcomes in contract enforcement.

Contract litigation frequently involves agreements that do not perfectly document party intentions.

Forward consideration, not a verified fact.