LEGAL PRINCIPLE: LABOUR LAW — Termination of Employment — Written Contract Governs Determination of Service
PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
The court must, in construing the relationship of the parties in any contract, confine itself to the plain words and meaning derived from the provisions containing the rights and obligations of the parties provided therein.
RATIO DECIDENDI (SOURCE)
Per Mohammed, JSC, in Ibama v. Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (2005) NLC-662000(SC) at p. 10; Paras D–E.
"It is trite that the court must, in construing the relationship of the parties in any contract, confine itself to the plain words and meaning which can be derived from the provisions containing the rights and obligations of the parties provided therein."
EXPLANATION / SCOPE
Employment contracts are interpreted based on their plain words and meaning. The court cannot import terms not found in the written agreement. The principle applies to labour law and contract interpretation. The rule respects parties’ freedom to contract. The written contract governs the employment relationship. Extraneous matters cannot alter clear contractual terms.
