The Suttor v Gundowda presumption — that a clause bringing a contract to an end upon one party's default renders the contract voidable rather than void — is a presumption of construction that can be displaced by sufficiently clear contractual language. Language stating that a contract is 'immediately at an end' upon default, used in the context of a settlement deed resolving longstanding disputes and providing for finality, is sufficiently clear to effect automatic termination. Where a specific termination clause in a later deed is inconsistent with a general default notice requirement in the underlying contract, the specific clause prevails and the default notice requirement does not apply.
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