Where a deed defines 'success' in a takeover context by reference to both the acquisition of a controlling interest and a board recommendation, the temporal relationship between those events matters: the recommendation must precede the acquisition. In rectification suits involving corporate parties, evidence of a post-execution understanding by individual directors (even managing directors) does not establish the corporation's intention at the time of execution, particularly where the board subsequently declined to confirm that understanding. The absence of evidence from lawyers who negotiated the deed is a relevant factor weighing against the party seeking rectification.
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