No man can contravene or contradict his own deed.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) A party who has executed a deed is estopped from denying its terms — his solemn act binds him, and he may not contradict what he has formally declared.

Where this applies

• A man conveys land by deed and then tries to claim he still owns it — his solemn deed estops him from denying the transfer.
• A woman executes a release of all claims against her employer and later sues for the very claims she released — the court holds her bound by her own deed.
• A grantor delivers a warranty deed and later argues the property had a different boundary than what the deed describes — he cannot contradict his own formal instrument.