# D.C. Code § 28:1-103: Construction of subtitle to promote its purposes and policies; applicability of supplemental principles of law

> District of Columbia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-103

## Section

- **Citation:** D.C. Code § 28:1-103
- **Heading:** Construction of subtitle to promote its purposes and policies; applicability of supplemental principles of law
- **Jurisdiction:** District of Columbia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DC Code / Title 28 / Chapter  / § 28:1-103

## Text

(a) This subtitle must be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies, which are:
(1) To simplify, clarify, and modernize the law governing commercial transactions;
(2) To permit the continued expansion of commercial practices through custom, usage, and agreement of the parties; and
(3) To make uniform the law among the various jurisdictions.
(b) Unless displaced by the particular provisions of this subtitle, the principles of law and equity, including the law merchant and the law relative to capacity to contract, principal and agent, estoppel, fraud, misrepresentation, duress, coercion, mistake, bankruptcy, and other validating or invalidating cause, supplement its provisions.

## Nearby sections

- [D.C. Code § 28:1-101 § 28:1-101. Short titles.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-101.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-103 § 28:1-103. Construction of subtitle to promote its purposes and policies; applicability of supplemental principles of law.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-103.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-107 § 28:1-107. Section captions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-107.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-201 § 28:1-201. General definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-201.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-202 § 28:1-202. Notice; knowledge.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-202.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-203 § 28:1-203. Lease distinguished from security interest.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-203.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-204 § 28:1-204. Value.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-204.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-205 § 28:1-205. Reasonable time; seasonableness.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-205.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-206 § 28:1-206. Presumptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-206.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-301 § 28:1-301. Territorial applicability; parties’ power to choose applicable law.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-301.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-303 § 28:1-303. Course of performance, course of dealing, and usage of trade.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-303.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-304 § 28:1-304. Obligation of good faith.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-304.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-306 § 28:1-306. Waiver or renunciation of claim or right after breach.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-306.md)
- [D.C. Code § 28:1-307 § 28:1-307. Prima facie evidence by third-party documents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-307.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T28_C_S28%3A1-103. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.