第三節 常見合同通用條款

有關合同的定義，學者和立法者從不同的視角給出了不同的定義，其中最經典的為Black’s Law Dictionary中的定義：“an agreement between two or more parties creating obligations that are enforceable or otherwise recognizable at law”。

《中華人民共和國合同法》第二條規定：“合同是指平等主體的自然人、法人、其他組織之間設立、變更、終止民事權利義務關系的協議。”中國法律框架下，一個有效合同的構成要素有：合同雙方具有完全民事行為能力（legal capacity to contract）、成立合同的合意（agreement of mutual assent reached through offer and acceptance）、交易內容合法或者不違反公序良俗（not be illegal or contrary to public policy）。

英國法有關合同的定義為：“a contract is a legally binding agreement concerning a bargain which is essentially commercial in its nature and involves the sale or hire of commodities such as goods，services or land”，根據英國法，一個合同必不可少的要素有：offer（要約），acceptance（承諾），consideration（對價），intention to create legal relations（建立法律關系的意圖）。

美國法有關合同的定義為：“a contract is a promise that one gives voluntarily and with the intent that the contract be enforceable at law”，根據美國法，一個合同必不可少的要素有：competent parties（適格當事人），legal subject matter（標的物合法），legal consideration（合法的對價），mutuality of agreement（合意），mutuality of obligation（雙方互負義務）。

對比以上不同的定義可得出，合同的實質是合同當事人就合同標的進行的權利義務方面的約定，同時，合同應該是當事人的真實意思表示，且合同內容不得違法或者違反社會公序良俗。

同時，為了更好地理解contract，還要區分以下幾個概念：contract，agreement，covenant，indenture，deed，compact。

“Agreement”是指：although often used as synonym with “contract”，agreement is a broader term，e.g.an agreement might lack an essential element of a contract.合同屬于協議的一種，協議的范圍比合同大，規定不如合同具體、規范。即：稱作合同的，肯定也可稱作協議；稱作協議的，不見得符合合同的要求。

而covenant，indenture，deed主要針對不動產的轉讓，指經簽字和轉移的一方向另一方出讓土地、租房或留遺產的書面協議，歷史上的“房契”即deed。Compact指自然人、國家、州之間訂立的協議、協定或合同，主要指國家間就共同關心的問題達成的協議，這意味著compact一詞不大會出現在民事、商事合同中。在實務中，使用較多的是contract和agreement。英文合同名稱一般表達格式為：contract for XXX，XXX contract或XXX agreement，如：contracts for international sale of goods（國際貨物銷售合同），contracts for international technology transfer（國際技術轉讓合同），contracts for Sino-foreign joint ventures（中外合資經營合同），contracts for international engineering projects（國際工程承包合同），contracts for compensation trade（補償貿易合同），contracts for Sino-foreign cooperation development of natural resources（中外合作開發自然資源合同），contracts for foreign labor services（涉外勞務合同），contracts for international leasing affairs（國際租賃合同），contract for sale of commodity houses（商品房買賣合同），property management contract（物業管理合同），tenancy agreement（租賃協議），outsourcing agreement（外包協議），technology transfer agreement（技術轉讓協議）。

本章將介紹十二個最常見的通用條款：合同序言條款、合同定義條款、語言與文本份數條款、合同生效條款、保證條款、不可抗力條款、知識產權條款、違約條款、合同解除與終止條款、通知和送達條款、爭議解決條款、法律適用條款。接下來將就這十二個通用條款的寫作展開分別論述。

一、合同序言條款（Preamble）

合同的序言（preamble）一般包括簽署合同的日期和地點、當事人基本信息、當事人合法依據，以及訂約緣由/鑒于條款（recitals or WHEREAS clause）。

當事人基本信息一般包含當事人名稱、國籍、主要營業地或者住所地等信息，當事人合法依據（each party’s authority）一般指當事人（一般指公司）合法存在所依據的法律，例如：a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of…。訂約緣由/鑒于條款則指簽訂合同的原因。

（一）合同序言范例

范例一：

This Contract is made this 20th date of June，2019 in Zhuhai，China，by and between XXX（Full Name）Company under the Law of China，having its registered address in Zhuhai，its legal address being ________（hereinafter referred to as the “Buyer”）and ABC（Full Name）Company under the Law of ________，having its registered address in ________，its legal address being ________（hereinafter referred to as the “Seller”）.

Whereas the Seller possesses know-how for the designing，manufacturing，and marketing of ________；

Whereas the Seller has the right and desires to transfer the above-signed know-how to the Buyer；

Whereas the Buyer desires to design，manufacture，sell and export by using the Licensor’s know-how.

Therefore，in considering of the premises and the mutual conveniences，the Buyer agrees to buy，and the Seller agrees to sell the following goods on the terms and conditions as follows：

范例二：

Transferee（Party A）：　　　　　Transferor（Party B）：

Registered Address：　　　　　　　Registered Address：

Legal representative：　　　　　　Legal representative：

Contact information：　　　　　　Contact information：

In consideration of：

Party B is the legal owner of ________ formula（hereinafter referred to as “the Formula”），

Party B would like to transfer the above mentioned ________ formula to Party A for use，production，operation and sales，

Party A is willing to accept the “the formula” and agrees to pay Party B transfer fee，

After friendly negotiation between the two parties，the following agreement is hereby reached in accordance with the “Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China”.

附漢語版本如下：

受讓方（甲方）：　　　轉讓方（乙方）：

住所地：　　　　　　　住所地：

法定代表人：　　　　　法定代表人：

聯系方式：　　　　　　聯系方式：

鑒于：

乙方是________配方（以下簡稱“本配方”）的合法擁有者，

乙方向甲方轉讓上述________配方，供甲方使用、生產經營及銷售，

甲方愿意受讓“本配方”，并同意支付乙方轉讓費，

經雙方友好協商，根據《中華人民共和國合同法》的規定，達成如下協議，并由雙方共同恪守。

范例三：

XXX，a company incorporated under the laws of the Britain and having its registered seat at Gerengracht 649，2045 CE London，the UK，and

YYY，a company incorporated under the laws of ［____］ and having its registered seat at ［____］（the “Partner”）.

WHEREAS：

（i）XXX operates an online accommodation reservation system（the “System”）through which participating Accommodations can make their rooms available for reservation，and through which visitors can make reservations at such Accommodations（the “Service”）；

（ii）XXX maintains and exploits its own websites，apps，platform，tools or other devices（collectively the “ XXX Platform”），and also provides the Service and links to the Service on the websites，apps，platform，tools or other devices of third parties；

（iii）the Partner owns，controls，hosts and/or operates one or more websites，apps，platform，tools and/or other devices；

（iv）the Partner and XXX wish to make the Service available on the Partner Platform for the customers and visitors of the Partner Platform（s）and in such form and on such terms and conditions as set out in this Agreement.

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS：

參考譯文：

XXX，依英國法律成立的公司，注冊地為英國倫敦 Gerengracht 649，2045 CE，以及

YYY，依 ［____］ 法律成立的公司，注冊地為 ［____］（下文簡稱“合作伙伴”）。

鑒于：

（i）XXX運營在線酒店預訂系統（下文簡稱“系統”），通過該系統，合作酒店可以提供房間供訪問者預訂，而訪問者也可以預訂此類酒店（下文簡稱“服務”）；

（ii）XXX維護并開發自身的網站、應用程序、平臺、工具或其他設備（下文統稱“XXX平臺”），并提供服務及指向第三方網站、應用程序、平臺、工具或其他設備上的服務的鏈接；

（iii）合作伙伴擁有、控制、托管和/或運營一個或多個網站、應用程序、平臺、工具和/或其他設備；

（iv）合作伙伴和XXX希望借助合作平臺向客戶以及合作平臺的訪問者提供服務，服務形式及條款如本協議所述。

雙方茲達成以下協議：

（二）當事人范例

有關當事人（parties）的寫作，有不同的格式，僅列舉以下幾種供參考：

范例一：This contract/agreement is made and entered into by and between ________（hereinafter referred to as “Party A”）and ________（hereinafter referred to as “Party B”）；

范例二：THIS AGREEMENT is made the ____th day of（month），________（year）by and between ________，a company incorporated in ________（country）and having its registered office/principal place of business/head office at ________（address）（hereinafter called “the Company”）of the one part and ____（ID No：____）of（domicile）（hereinafter called “the Manager”）of the other part；

范例三：Effective as of ________（date）this Agreement is made and entered into between ________（hereinafter referred to as “Party A”）and ________（hereinafter referred to as “Party B”）.

范例四：Party A：________________Ltd.（“licensor”）

Party B：________________ Co.，Ltd.（“licensee”）

This agreement is made and entered into the 20th day of December 2018 by and between Party A and Party B.

◆ 知識點梳理

1.the contract is made and entered into by and between…：“…與…訂立合同”，此結構中的made and entered into，by and between均屬法律英語的詞匯并列現象。

2.terms and conditions，“條款”，詞語并列現象。

3.hereinafter referred to as，“以下簡稱”，古英語（hereinafter）的使用。

4.licensor，licensee，“許可人，被許可人”。

二、合同定義條款（Definitions）

范例一：

In these Articles，words and expressions defined in the Companies Law shall have the same meaning and，unless otherwise required by the context，（a）the singular shall include the plural and vice versa；（b）the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter and references to persons shall include companies and all legal entities capable of having a legal existence；（c）“may” shall be construed as permissive and “shall” shall be construed as imperative；（d）a reference to a dollar or dollars（or $）is a reference to dollars of the United States of America；and（e）references to a statutory enactment shall include reference to any amendment or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force.

在這些條款中，《公司法》中定義的詞語和表達方式應具有相同的含義，除非上下文另有規定：（a）單數應包括復數，反之亦然；（b）男性應包括女性和中性，對人的提述應包括公司和所有合法存在的法人實體；（c）“may”應解釋為“允許的”，“shall”應解釋為“必須的”；（d）提及美元或$是指美利堅合眾國的美元；及（e）對法規的提述須包括該法規當時有效的任何修訂或重新制定。

范例二：

Unless the context otherwise requires in this agreement，word denoting the singular includes the plural and vice versa，and word denoting any one gender includes all genders，and word denoting person includes a natural person，body corporate，unincorporated association and partnership.

除本協議另有所指，表示單數的詞包括復數，反之亦然；表示一個性別的詞包括所有性別；表示人的詞包括自然人、法人團體、非法人團體以及合伙組織。

范例三：

For the purpose of this Agreement，“Affiliate” of any party to this Agreement means any corporation which，directly or indirectly，controls such party or is controlled by such party or is under common control with such party，where “Control” means power or ability to direct the management and policies of the controlled corporation through ownership of or control of more than fifty-one percent of the voting shares of the controlled corporation by contract or otherwise.

就本協議而言，本合同中所提到之任何一方當事人之“關聯企業”，系指直接或間接控制該當事人，或受該當事人控制，或與該當事人受控于同一企業。前述“控制”指通過合同或其他方式，掌握受控企業百分之五十一以上之股東投票權，從而擁有主導該企業之經營與政策的能力與權力。

范例四：

In this Agreement，save where the context otherwise requires or the Agreement otherwise provides，capitalised words and expressions shall have the meanings given to them in Appendix 1.

在本協議中，除非上下文中另有要求或協議另有規定，大寫詞語和表述的含義如附錄1規定。

三、語言與文本份數條款（Language and Copies）

語言與文本份數條款一般出現在合同尾部，表明合同共簽署幾份、合同以何種語言簽訂，以及每種語言的效力等。

范例一：

This contract is made out in two originals，each copy written in Chinese and English languages，both texts being equally valid.In case of any divergence of interpretation，the Chinese text shall prevail.

范例二：

This contract is in both Chinese and English.In case of discrepancy between the interpretations of the two versions，the Chinese version shall prevail.

The contract is in duplicate，and each party holds a counterpart of it.The two counterparts have equal legal effect.

本合同中英文兩種版本。兩種版本的解釋發生不一致時，以中文版本為準。

本合同一式兩份，甲乙雙方各執一份，具有同等法律效力。

范例三：

This agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and they shall have the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the agreement.

◆ 知識點拓展

In duplicate 一式兩份

In triplicate 一式三份

In quadruplicate 一式四份

In quintuplicate 一式五份

In sextuplicate 一式六份

In septuplicate 一式七份

In octuplicate 一式八份

In nonuplicate 一式九份

In decuplicate 一式十份

四、合同生效條款（Validity）

范例一：

This contract shall take effect upon signature of both parties or their legal representative or duly authorized representative，affixed with corporate official seal.The contract is valid for ________ years，from month________date________year________to________month________date________year________.

本合同自雙方或雙方法定代表人或其授權代表人簽字并加蓋單位公章之日起生效。有效期為____年，自____年____月____日至____年____月____日。

范例二：

This Agreement shall become effective upon signature of the representatives of both parties hereto，affixed with corporate seal.

This agreement is valid from the date of signature to two years after the date of acceptance.Upon expiration of the agreement，this agreement may be renewed through mutual agreement.If the parties do not raise an objection within 10 working days after the expiration of the agreement，the service terms of this agreement will automatically renew for one year.

本協議自雙方代表簽字、蓋章之日起生效。

本協議有效期為自簽訂之日起到通過驗收后兩年。協議到期后，經雙方協商可續簽本協議。如雙方在協議到期后10個工作日內未提出異議，則本協議服務條款自動延續一年。

范例三：

The terms of this contract are the full and complete agreement between the parties on the brokerage matters.The amendment to this contract shall be valid only after the written consent of both parties and signed and sealed by both parties.Matters not covered in this contract shall be settled separately by the parties.

本合同條款為雙方就居間事項達成的完整協議。本合同的修改需經雙方書面同意，并經雙方簽字蓋章后方才有效。本合同未盡事宜，由雙方另行協商解決。

五、保證條款（Representations and Warranties）

Representations（陳述）與Warranties（保證）本來是兩個概念。按照權威的Black’s Law Dictionary的解釋，“representations（陳述）”的含義是“a representation of fact—either by words or by conducts，made to induce someone to act，esp.，to enter into a contract（通過言辭或行為呈現某種事實，以促使相對方做出相應行為，比如訂立合同）”。合同保證條款中的“representations（陳述）”大多用來說明當事人的主體資格或權利能力、行為能力等問題。而“warranties（保證）”則指“an express or implied promise that something in furtherance of the contract is guaranteed by one of the contracting parties；esp.，the seller’s promise that the thing being sold is represented or promised（合同一方提供的明示或默示的保證條款，尤其是在買賣合同中賣方向買方做出的質量保證）”。但是，基于兩者都是當事人針對過去曾經發生或現在存在，并可能影響合同效力的事實，所以現在的英文合同經常將兩者連用，構成一組并列詞組“represent and warrant”或“representations and warranties（陳述與保證）”。

保證條款又分為“明示保證（express warranties）”和“默示保證（implied warranties）”。明示保證在合同中明確約定，如有關起重機的跨度、提升高度、提升速度、運行電壓等的保證，屬于明示保證，而默示保證則是對所售商品或服務所有權或法律上的保證（statutory warranties），如顧客買部手機，手機能夠正常通話是默示保證，電暖風能夠致暖也是默示保證，無需賣方就此做出書面或者其他形式的明示保證或者承諾。

范例一：

Party A represents and warrants that there are no conditions at，on，under，or related to，the real property constituting all or any portion of the Land which presently or potentially pose a hazard to human health or the environment，whether or not in compliance with law，and there has been no manufacture，use，treatment，storage，transportation，or disposal of any hazardous or toxic substance，pollutant，or contaminant on the Land nor any release of any hazardous or toxic substance，pollutant，or contaminant into or upon or over the land.

Party A further represents and warrants that the Land is free and clear of any and all claims，charges，easement，encumbrances，lease，covenants，security interest，liens，option，pledge，rights of others，or restrictions，whether imposed by agreement，understanding，law，equity or otherwise.

甲方陳述和保證，構成土地全部或任何部分的房地產，其內部、上面、下面或其相關的部位現在不存在、也不可能存在危害人身健康或環境的情況（無論是否符合法律規定），且土地上從未生產、使用、處理、儲存、運輸或處置過任何危險的或有毒的物質、污染物或致污物，土地內部、上面或上空亦未曾釋放過任何危險的或有毒的物質、污染物或致污物。

甲方進一步陳述和保證，土地不存在任何權利主張、抵押、地役權、障礙、租約、契約、擔保權益、留置權、期權、質押、他人權利或限制，無論是以協議、諒解備忘錄、法律、衡平法還是其他方法設定的。

范例二：

Party B guarantees the technicality，practicality and reliability of “the Formula” and warrants that the technical secret does not infringe on the legal rights of any third party.Should a third party accuse Party A of technical secret infringement，Party B shall take relevant actions to eliminate the allegation and compensate Party A for the economic losses suffered therefrom.

參考譯文：

乙方保證“本配方”的技術性、實用性、可靠性，并保證本項技術秘密不侵犯任何第三人的合法權利。如發生第三人指控甲方實施技術秘密侵權的，乙方應該采取相關行動消除該指控，并賠償甲方因該指控所遭受的經濟損失。

范例三：

Party B warrants that Party B has all the intellectual property rights of the software under the contract.In case of any intellectual property disputes with the software sold by Party B to Party A，Party A shall not bear any joint and several liability.Party B warrants that the software under this contract or any right granted to Party A will not infringe on any third party’s intellectual property rights such as copyright，patent，trademark etc.，nor violate the exclusive right of information of any third party，nor exist any pending litigation against the software of Party B.

乙方承諾乙方擁有合同標的軟件的全部知識產權，若乙方向甲方出售的軟件存在知識產權糾紛，甲方不承擔任何連帶責任。乙方保證本合同項下軟件或其授予甲方的權利不會侵犯任何第三方的著作權、專利權或商標權等知識產權或其他權利，不違反任何第三方的信息專有權，也沒有其他針對乙方擁有本軟件權利的未決訴訟。

范例四：

If any of the above representations and warranties of a Party are not accurate in all material respects on the date hereof，then such Party shall be deemed to be in material breach of this Contract.

如果在本合同簽訂日，一方上述陳述與擔保的任何一項與實際情況有實質性不符，則該方構成重大違約。

范例五：

Seller warrants that all products sold hereunder shall be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of six（6）months from the date of Buyer’s receipt（warranty）.In the event of a breach of this warranty，Seller shall，at Seller’s option，either（i）repair the applicable product at the original FOB point of delivery，（ii）refund an equitable portion of the contract price，or（iii）furnish replacement equipment or parts，as necessary to the original FOB point of delivery.Except as specifically set forth in the preceding sentences，Seller makes no warranties either express or implied with respect to the products sold hereunder.

賣方保證根據本合同所售的所有產品的用料和工藝自買方收貨之日起六（6）個月內均無瑕疵（“保證期”）。一旦違反本保證，賣方可自行選擇：（i）在原先FOB交貨地點修復瑕疵產品；（ii）返還合同價的對等金額；或（iii）在原先FOB交貨地點提供替換產品或部件。除上句具體規定外，賣方對根據本合同售出的產品不做任何其他明示或默示保證。

范例六：

The Partner warrants that it will diligently maintain the content of the Partner Platforms and keep the Partner Platform（s）up-to-date and accurate.The Partner shall promptly correct any errors or omissions on the Partner Platform（s）after becoming aware of such errors or being notified by XXX.

合作伙伴保證積極維護合作平臺的內容，并保持合作平臺上內容的時效性和準確性。發現合作平臺上有錯誤或接到XXX的錯誤通知后，合作伙伴應立即更正此類錯誤或遺漏。

范例七：

Parties warrant that in the event of an infringement or breach by the one Party of its obligations under this Clause 6，the burden of proof is carried by the Party in breach.

雙方保證，如果一方違反了第6條規定的義務，由違約方負舉證責任。

◆ 知識點拓展

1.infringement or breach of obligations，“違反義務”；infringement or breach of obligations屬于法律英語的并列現象。

2.burden of proof，“舉證責任”。

在民事訴訟法中，一般采取“誰主張，誰舉證”的證明標準，當一方不能完成舉證責任的時候，則面臨不利的法律后果。

3.常見保證條款的常見句式歸納如下：

Party A warrants that…

Party A guarantees…

Party A represents and warrants that…

Party A and Party B hereby undertake that…

Party A makes no warranties…

六、不可抗力條款（Force Majeure）

不可抗力條款是指雙方訂立合同時不能合理預見、不能克服的障礙，當發生不可抗力的情形時，違約方不承擔違約責任，但是要及時通知對方不可抗力的存在以及對履行合同的影響。

大多數合同中都會有不可抗力條款，不可抗力條款是一個可以使違約方免責的條款，所涵蓋的情形由雙方協商確定，但大多數包括兩種情形：第一，超出合同雙方或其中一方合理控制范圍的類似事件，如罷工（strike）、暴動（insurrection）、戰爭（war）、恐怖主義事件（terrorism）、革命（revolution）、內戰（civil war）、爆炸（explosion）、禁運（embargoes）、政府行為（acts of government）、檢疫限制（quarantine restrictions）；第二，自然災害，如火災（fire）、旱災（drought）、洪災（flood）、地震（earthquake）、海嘯（tsunami）、臺風（typhoons）、颶風（hurricane）、火山（volcano）、山體滑坡（landslide）、雪崩（avalanche）。

另外，針對不同類型的合同，不可抗力條款中所列舉的不可抗力事件應有所不同，如影響電子行業的不可抗力事件和影響房地產行業的不可抗力事件應是不一樣的。

（一）不可抗力的定義

范例一：

“Force Majeure” means an event that cannot be reasonably controlled，unforeseeable or even foreseen by the parties to the contract，which obstructs，affects or delays the performance of any or all of its obligations under this contract.The event includes，but is not limited to，acts of government，natural disasters，war，network congestion or disruption，hacking attacks，or any other similar event.

The party suffering from the force majeure event may temporarily suspend the performance of the obligations under this contract until the impact of the force majeure event is eliminated，and neither party shall be liable to the other for breach of contract；however，the best efforts should be made to overcome the incident and mitigate its negative impact.

參考譯文：

“不可抗力”是指本合同雙方不能合理控制、不可預見或即使預見亦無法避免的事件，該事件妨礙、影響或延誤任何一方根據本合同履行其全部或部分義務。該事件包括但不限于政府行為、自然災害、戰爭、網絡堵塞或中斷、黑客襲擊或任何其他類似事件。

遭受不可抗力事件的一方可暫行中止履行本合同項下的義務直至不可抗力事件的影響消除為止，并且無需為此而承擔違約責任；但應盡最大努力克服該事件，減輕其負面影響。

范例二：

“Force Majeure”shall mean all events which are beyond the control of the Parties to this Contract，and which are unforeseen，unavoidable or insurmountable，and which prevent total or partial performance by either of the Parties.Such events shall include，but not limited to，earthquakes，typhoons，flood，fire，war，strikes，riots，acts of government，changes in law or the application thereof or any other instances which cannot be foreseen，prevented or controlled，including instances which are accepted as Force Majeure in general international commercial practice.

參考譯文：

不可抗力指超出本合同雙方控制范圍、無法預見、無法避免或無法克服，使得本合同一方部分或完全不能履行本合同的事件。這類事件包括但不限于地震、臺風、洪水、火災、戰爭、罷工、暴動、政府行為、法律規定或其適用的變化，或者其他任何無法預見，無法避免或者無法控制的客觀情況，包括在國際商務實踐中通常被認定為不可抗力的事件。

（二）不可抗力的后果

范例一：

Party A agrees that Party B shall not be liable for：any losses；damage，including consequential damages；detention；delay or failure to perform in whole or part resulting from causes beyond the control of Party B，including but not limited to：acts of God，fires，strikes，insurrections，riots，embargoes，delays in transportation，inability to obtain supplies，or requirements or regulations of the government or any other civil or military authority.Delays or non-performance excused by this provision shall not excuse payment of any amount due hereunder owed at the time of the occurrence.

參考譯文：

甲方同意乙方不必非為乙方所能控制的因素而引起的損失、包括間接損害在內的損害、扣留、全部或部分的履行遲延或履行不能而負責。此等因素包括但不限于：天災、火災、罷工、叛亂、暴動、禁運、運輸遲延、無法取得原料、政府或其他軍事或一般機關之法令規定或要求。依本條款免除履行遲延或履行不能之責任的當事人并不因此而免除支付到期買賣價款之義務。

范例二：

In the event of a force majeure event which results in one party’s failure to perform the contract，the party abovementioned shall notify the other party of the accident as soon as possible，and negotiate with the other party to extend the time limit for performance of the contract.The damage incurred by the other party shall not be claimed.Every effort shall be made to ensure that the impact of force majeure event is minimized and that normal trade is fully restored in accordance with the contract.

（三）不可抗力發生后的通知義務

范例一：

If the shipment of the contracted goods is prevented or delayed in whole or in part by reason of war，earthquake，flood，fire，storm，heavy snow or other causes of force majeure，the seller shall not be liable for non-shipment or late shipment of the goods of this contract.However，the seller shall notify the buyer by phone/fax/email and furnish the latter within 5 days by registered airmail with a certificate issued by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade（China Chamber of International Commerce）attesting such event or events.

參考譯文：

如果由于戰爭、地震、洪水、火災、風暴、大雪或其他不可抗力原因而導致合同貨物的全部或部分裝運被阻止或延遲，則賣方對未裝運或遲交裝運不承擔責任。但是，賣方應通過電話/傳真/電子郵件通知買方，并在5天內通過航空掛號信的方式提供中國國際貿易促進委員會（中國國際商會）頒發的此類事件的證明。

范例二：

Should a Party be directly prevented from performing this Contract or be delayed in performing this Contract by an event of Force Majeure，such as earthquake，typhoon，fire，flood，war and other unforeseen events，the occurrence and consequences of which are unpreventable and unavoidable，the affected Party shall notify the other Party by telephone without delay and，within fourteen（14）days thereafter，provide information regarding the event of force majeure and valid certificate thereof，explaining the reason for its inability to perform all or part of this Contract or the delay in performance hereof.Such certificate as proof of the existence of force majeure shall be issued by the notary public office at the locality where the event of force majeure occurred.The parties shall，through consultation，decide whether to terminate this Contract，or release part of the affected Party’s responsibilities to perform this Contract，or delay the performance hereof.

參考譯文：

如合同一方由于不可抗力事件（如地震、臺風、火災、洪災、戰爭以及其他不可預見的事件，該事件的發生和后果無法阻止、無法避免）的發生而無法履行本合同或遲延履行本合同，則受影響的一方應立即以電話通知另一方，并在事發后的十四（14）日內提供不可抗力事件的信息和有效證明，解釋其無法履行全部或部分合同或遲延履行本合同的原因。不可抗力事件發生的證明應由該事件發生地公證處出具。合同方應通過磋商決定是否終止合同，或減輕受影響一方履行本合同的責任，或遲延履行本合同。

七、知識產權條款（Intellectual Property）

知識產權是一種智力成果，指“權利人對其智力勞動所創作的成果和經營活動中的標記、信譽所依法享有的專有權利”，主要包括著作權（copyright）、專利權（patent）、商標權（trademark）和商業秘密（trade secret）四種。知識產權能夠為權利人帶來經濟價值，充分體現了“知識就是財富”這一真理。

《與貿易相關的知識產權協議》（TRIPS Agreement，Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights）是世貿組織最重要的文件之一，是有關國際知識產權保護中最具影響力和效力的國際公約，其規定了著作權的最低保護期為50年，發明專利的最低保護期為20年，并要求世貿組織成員國商標權的保護期為7年。在保護期內，知識產權直接受法律保護。

知識產權條款主要出現在技術開發合同、技術秘密轉讓合同、知識產權許可協議等。在該類合同中，相應方對會自己所開發、轉讓的知識產權進行權利正當性聲明或者不侵權聲明或者保證，因此知識產權條款實質上是保證條款的延續。具體例子如下：

范例一：

Party A owns or possesses the Intellectual Property which consists of its trademarks，trade names，service names，service marks，service mark registrations，patents，patent rights，copyrights，inventions，licenses，approvals，government authorizations，trade secrets and rights necessary to conduct its business as now conducted.To the knowledge of Party A，there is no claim，action or proceeding being made or brought against Party A regarding any of the foregoing Intellectual Property items.

參考譯文：

甲方擁有或享有以滿足經營目前業務所需而使用的知識產權，包括其商標、商號、服務名稱、服務標記、服務標記注冊專利、專利、專利權、版權、發明、許可證、核準書、政府授權書、商業秘密和商業權利。據甲方所知，沒有任何一方就上述知識產權項目對甲方提出權利主張或提起訴訟。

知識點補充：

action or proceeding “訴訟”，“action”與“proceeding” 均有“訴訟”的意思，在上述例子中并列出現，屬于法律英語的并列現象。具體使用方法如下例句：

He is considering taking legal action against the hospital.

他正考慮起訴這家醫院。

to bring legal proceedings against sb.向某人提起法律訴訟

有關“提起訴訟”的表達方式歸納如下：

File/issue a claim

Start proceedings（律師經常使用的非正式表達方法）

Take legal action against sb.

Bring legal proceedings against sb.

另外，民事訴訟中的雙方當事人分別為原告（plaintiff，claimant）和被告（defendant），“plaintiff”是在美國的用法，在英國原告一般用“claimant”。一個完整的民事訴訟程序，簡而言之可歸納為：原告提起訴訟（issue a claim）、法院送達起訴狀（serve a claim）給被告、被告答辯（respond to a claim）、開庭審理（hear a case）、法院作出判決（make a judgment）。

范例二：

The R&D personnel shall warrant that the R&D achievements delivered to the principal do not infringe on the legal rights of any third party.In case a third party accuses the principal of technical infringement，the R&D personnel shall bear the consequential legal liability arising from the violation of rights of the third party.

參考譯文：

研究開發人應當保證其交付給委托人的研發成果不侵犯任何第三人的合法權益。如發生第三人指控委托人實施的技術侵權的，研發人應承擔由侵犯第三者權益而引起的相應法律責任。

范例三：

Party B guarantees the technicality，practicality and reliability of “the Formula” and warrants that the technical secret does not infringe on the legal rights of any third party.Should a third party accuse Party A of technical secret infringement，Party B shall take relevant actions to eliminate the allegation and compensate Party A for the economic losses suffered therefrom.

Party B shall warrant that it is the legal owner of this formula，and that “the Formula” is not patented by others when the contract is signed.

In the course of the performance of this contract，Party A has the right to terminate the contract and require Party B to bear the corresponding liabilities if a third party applies for a patent or obtains a patent with the same technology or formula.

參考譯文：

乙方保證“本配方”的技術性、實用性、可靠性，并保證本項技術秘密不侵犯任何第三人的合法權利。如發生第三人指控甲方實施技術秘密侵權的，乙方應該采取相關行動消除該指控，并賠償甲方因該指控所遭受的經濟損失。

乙方應當保證自己是本配方的合法所有者，而且“本配方”在合同訂立時尚未被他人申請專利。

在本合同履行過程中，如出現第三方就同一技術或配方申請專利或獲得專利權的情況，甲方有權解除合同，并要求乙方承擔相應責任。

范例四：

Party B warrants that it enjoys legal and valid ownership of the transferred technology，and there is no infringement of any third-party rights.Should any third party claim any tort liability to Party A on the transferred technology，or should Party A incur any damages due to the use of the transferred technology，Party B shall be responsible for handling the matter and undertake all losses caused to Party A.

參考譯文：

乙方保證對轉讓技術享有合法有效的所有權，不存在侵犯任何第三方權益的情形，如有任何第三方就轉讓技術向甲方主張任何侵權之債，或者由于甲方使用轉讓技術造成損害的情形，乙方應當負責處理并承擔由此給甲方造成的一切損失。

八、違約條款（Breach Clause）

根據英國的合同法，合同條款根據重要性可分為條件條款（condition）和保證條款（warranty）。重要的條款為條件條款（condition），次要條款為保證條款（warranty）。違反條件條款（condition）和保證條款（warranty）的法律后果是不同的。一般而言，如果合同一方違反了條件條款，則守約方可以解除合同，同時要求違約方支付損害賠償金。而如果一方違反了保證條款，守約方是無權要求解除合同的，僅有權主張損害賠償金。在中國的合同法中，合同條款沒有此方面的劃分。

范例一：

Default in payment：In case the principal fails to pay the corresponding sum to the R&D personnel within the time limit stipulated in this contract and the attachment hereof for no reason，daily liquidated damages of 0.05% of the overdue payment shall be paid to the R&D personnel.

Default in delivery：In case the R&D personnel fails to complete the R&D work and pass acceptance within the time limit stipulated in this contract and the attachment hereof for their own reason，daily liquidated damages of 0.05% of the total contract value shall be paid to the principal.

Default in other clauses：In case any party to this contract violates the obligations stipulated in the contract，except as otherwise provided in this contract，the party in breach shall pay liquidated damages to the non-breach party according to 1% of the total contract value.The party in breach shall be liable for the loss，if there is，incurred by the non-breach party.

Maximum amount：The cumulative aggregate of all liquidated damages and compensation paid by the party in breach under this contract shall not exceed 100% of the total contract value.

參考譯文：

付款違約：如果委托人無故未在本合同及附件規定的期限內向研究開發人支付相應的價款，每延遲一日，應向研究開發人支付應付而未付金額的萬分之五的違約金。

交付違約：若研究開發人因研究開發人自身原因未在本合同及附件規定的期限內完成開發工作并通過驗收，每延遲一日，應向委托人支付相當于合同總金額萬分之五的違約金。

其他條款違約：本合同任何一方違反合同所規定的義務，除本合同另有規定外，違約方應按合同總金額1%的金額向對方支付違約金。若給對方造成損失的，違約方還應賠償。

最高額度：本合同項下違約方支付的所有違約金及賠償金的累積總額不超過本合同總金額的100%。

范例二：

In case Party B violates the provisions of Article 3 and 6 in this contract，Party B shall pay Party A liquidated damages of 20% of the amount payable in this contract and compensate Party A for all losses incurred.

In case Party A fails to pay the transfer fee to Party B on time，Party A shall pay Party B daily overdue arears of 0.01% of the amount payable.

In case either party breaches the contract，it shall bear the corresponding liability for damages and compensate the non-breach party for any reasonable expense（including but not limited to investigation fees，attorney fees，travel expenses，court costs，etc.）in the course of protecting its lawful rights and interests.

參考譯文：

如果乙方違反本協議第三條、第六條的規定的，乙方應當向甲方支付本合同約定應付款總額20%的違約金，并賠償由此給甲方帶來的所有損失。

如果甲方不按時向乙方支付轉讓費的，甲方應按照每延遲一日，向乙方支付萬分之一/日的滯納金。

如果任何一方違約，應承擔相應的賠償責任及支付守約方為保護其合法權益而支付的合理費用（包括但不限于調查費、律師費、差旅費、訴訟費等合理費用）。

范例三：

After the entry into force of this Agreement，the parties shall perform their obligations and agreements in a comprehensive，appropriate and timely manner in accordance with this Agreement and all the annexes and schedules.In the event that any party to this Agreement violates the provisions in this Agreement，including all the annexes and schedules hereof，it shall constitute a breach of contract.

The parties agree that，except as otherwise provided in this Agreement，the liquidated damages for this Agreement are 10% of the total investment of the Investor.

In the event of a breach of contract，the defaulting party shall pay the non-breaching party liquidated damages and compensate the non-breaching party for any losses incurred.

The payment of liquidated damages does not affect the right of the non-breaching party to require the defaulting party to compensate for the loss，continue to perform the agreement or cancel the agreement.

參考譯文：

1.本協議生效后，各方應按照本協議及全部附件、附表的規定全面、適當、及時地履行其義務及約定，若本協議的任何一方違反本協議包括全部附件、附表約定的條款，均構成違約。

2.各方同意，除本協議另有約定之外，本協議的違約金為投資方投資總額的10%。

3.一旦發生違約行為，違約方應當向守約方支付違約金，并賠償因其違約而給守約方造成的損失。

4.支付違約金不影響守約方要求違約方賠償損失、繼續履行協議或解除協議的權利。

◆ 知識點拓展

遵守合同：honor the contract，abide by the contract

違反合同約定：violate/breach terms or condition of the contract

違約方：party in breach，breaching party，breach party

守約方：non-breach party，non-breaching party，non-defaulting party

違約金：liquidated damages

賠償金：compensation，damages

構成違約：constitute a default or breach of contract

未完全履行或錯誤履行合同義務：any incomplete or mistaken performance of any obligations provided hereunder

未能履行合同規定的主要義務：fail to perform its material obligations in the contract

重大違約、實質違約：material breach of contract

根本違約：fundamental breach of contract

違約方需負責守約方所有的債務、損失、損害，包括合理的律師費和訴訟費在內的各種開支：the party in breach shall be liable to the non-breach party for all liabilities，losses，damages，costs and expenses（including reasonable attorney fees and court costs）；the breaching party shall hold the non-breaching party harmless and against any and all liabilities，losses，damages，costs and expenses（including reasonable attorney fees and court costs）

對守約方應負責任：be liable to the non-breach party for …

補償守約方…損失：to indemnify or reimburse the non-breaching party for…

九、合同解除（Rescission/Dissolution of a Contract）與終止條款（Termination of a Contract）

合同解除（rescission/dissolution of a contract），是指合同當事人一方或者雙方依照法律規定或者當事人的約定，依法解除合同效力的行為。只要法定或者約定的合同解除事由出現，當事人一方有權通知另一方解除合同。

所謂合同終止（termination of a contract），指合同當事人雙方在合同關系建立以后，因一定的法律事實的出現，使合同確立的權利義務關系消滅。很多人往往會把合同終止和合同解除混為一談，而事實上兩者并不是一回事。

合同終止僅使合同關系發生將來消滅的效力，不具有溯及既往的效力，因此不能產生恢復原狀的法律后果；而合同解除使合同關系發生既往消滅的效力，具有溯及既往的效力，因而對已履行的合同將產生恢復原狀的后果。

（一）合同解除條款（rescission/dissolution of a contract）

作為合同體系的一項法律制度，合同解除具有以下法律性質：

第一，合同解除適用于有效成立的合同。合同只有在有效成立后、履行完畢前才發生合同解除的效力。可撤銷合同及無效合同因屬于效力瑕疵或欠缺合同要素的合同，不受合同解除制度調整。

第二，合同解除必須具備一定條件。為避免當事人濫用合同解除制度，從而維護合同的嚴肅性和社會經濟生活的穩定性，法律規定合同解除必須具備法定條件或約定條件，禁止當事人任意解除合同。所謂法定解除，是指由法律規定在一定條件下解除合同的行為。例如，《合同法》第94條規定了五種情形：（1）因不可抗力致使不能實現合同目的（If the purpose of a contract cannot be reached due to force majeure）；（2）在履行期限屆滿之前，當事人一方明確表示或者以自己的行為表明不履行主要債務（If a party，prior to the expiration of the performance term，expresses explicitly or expresses by its action that it shall not perform its main debt obligations）；（3）當事人一方遲延履行主要債務，經催告后在合理期限內仍未履行（If one of the parties delays the performance of a major obligation，and fails to do so within a reasonable time limit after being urged to do so）；（4）當事人一方遲延履行債務或者有其他違約行為致使不能實現合同目的（If the purpose of a contract cannot be realized because a party delays performing its debts or commits other actions in breach of the contract）；（5）法律規定的其他情形（If other circumstances specified by the law occur）。

所謂約定解除，是指當事人在合同中約定解除合同的條件，當出現解除合同的條件時，合同解除。當然，當事人不必在訂立合同時就約定解除合同，也可以事后經協商一致解除合同。

第三，合同解除必須有解除行為。我國法律沒有采納當然解除主義，即具備合同解除條件，就可以解除合同。因此，當事人要解除合同，必須有解除行為。合同解除分為兩種：第一種是雙方協商一致解除合同；第二種是享有法定或約定解除權的一方作出解除合同的意思表示。合同解除方必須具有法定或約定解除權，沒有解除權的解除行為不發生法律效力。

第四，合同解除的效力是使基于合同而發生的債權債務關系（合同關系）消滅。理論上存在兩種觀點，第一種觀點認為合同解除權的效力是合同關系自始消滅。所謂合同關系自始消滅，是指當事人負有恢復原狀的義務，亦即合同解除的效力溯及既往。第二種觀點認為合同解除權的效力是合同關系向將來消滅。所謂合同關系向將來消滅，是指合同關系自解除時消滅，合同解除前的關系仍然存在，亦即合同解除不溯及既往。我國《合同法》第97條規定：合同解除后，尚未履行的，終止履行；已經履行的，根據履行情況和合同性質，當事人可以要求恢復原狀、采取其他補救措施，并有權要求賠償損失（After the rescission of a contract，the performance of any obligations which have not been performed shall be terminated；where obligations have already been performed，based on the nature of the performance that has been provided and the nature of the contract，a party may demand the other party to restore it to the original state or adopt other remedial measures，and shall have the right to demand compensation）。由此可見，我國合同法采納的是第一種觀點，即合同解除的效力溯及既往。

范例一：

In case the following circumstances have made the performance of this contract unnecessary or impossible，the contract may be dissolved：

a.Force majeure；

b.Written agreement by both parties；

c.Others.

參考譯文：

出現下列情形，致使本合同的履行成為不必要或不可能的，可以解除本合同：

a.發生不可抗力；

b.雙方書面協議終止；

c.其他。

范例二：

In case the other party fails to perform its obligation in the contract within the time limit agreed upon in this Contract，and fails to eliminate such breach or take remedial measures within 30 days following the receipt of the notice thereof from the non-breaching party，and still again fails to perform the Contract within the time limit allowed for delayed performance，the non-breaching party shall be entitled to rescind the contract by a written notice to the defaulting party and still have the right to claim damages from the defaulting party.

參考譯文：

如果合同一方未能在合同規定的時限內履行合同義務，并在收到守約方的通知后30天內未能消除違約行為或采取補救措施，而且在被允許推遲履行的期限內仍未履行合同，在此情況下，守約方應書面通知違約方解除合同，同時有權要求違約方賠償損失。

（二）合同終止條款（termination of a contract）

合同終止條款（termination of a contract）是基于合同履行完畢、仲裁裁決或法院判決或合同雙方當事人合意等法律事實，導致合同法律關系歸于消滅。同時，需要注意合同終止（termination of a contract）與合同中止（suspension of a contract）是不一樣的。合同終止是指完全結束雙方當事人的合同法律關系；合同中止是指合同在履行期間因故暫時停止履行，待造成中止的原因消除后，合同繼續履行。

中國的《合同法》第91條規定了七種合同終止的情形：（1）債務已經按照約定履行（all obligations have already been performed as agreed）；（2）合同解除（the contract has been dissolved）；（3）債務相互抵銷（obligations have been offset against one another）；（4）債務人依法將標的物提存（the obligor has lodged the subject matter of the contract in accordance with the law）；（5）債權人免除債務（the obligee has released the obligor from its obligations）；（6）債權債務同歸于一人（all obligations and all obligatory rights under the contract are owed and enjoyed by the same person）；（7）法律規定或者當事人約定終止的其他情形（any other situation in which the law requires termination or the parties agree on termination）。由此可見，合同解除只是合同終止的一種情形。

范例一：

In the following circumstances，the contract will be terminated immediately after either party to this contract requests to terminate this contract by giving written notice to the other party：

（1）The other party has a fraudulent act；

（2）the other party is bankrupt or has been declared bankrupt，or the other party has been liquidated or has been dissolved；or

（3）The other party has been unable to carry out its normal business activities.

參考譯文：

在以下情形下，本合同的任何一方均有權向另一方發出書面通知要求終止本合同，合同將立即終止：

（1）另一方存在欺詐性的行為；

（2）另一方破產或被宣告破產，或另一方已被清算或已經解散；或者

（3）另一方當事人已無法進行其正常的業務活動。

范例二：

This agreement is valid for three years and is automatically terminated after the investor holds the equity or the target company completes the share repurchase.Since the expiration of the term of this agreement，the new investment project of the target company has nothing to do with the investor，and the investor no longer holds any interest in the investment project of the target company.

參考譯文：

本協議有效期三年，以投資方持有股權或目標公司完成股權回購后自動終止。本協議期限屆滿之日起，目標公司新的投資項目與投資方無關，投資方不再對目標公司的投資項目享有任何權益。

十、通知和送達條款（Notice and service）

通知條款源于英美法系中關于合同成立理論中的投郵主義（post rule）。根據英美法，成立合同需具備四個要素：要約（offer），承諾（acceptance），對價（consideration），建立法律關系的意圖（intention to establish legal relations）。要約人（offeror）向受要約人（offeree）發出要約后，受要約人如有興趣，即向要約人發出承諾，而承諾一經投郵，即視為已經送達。按照此原則，受要約人只要將做出承諾的書信投入郵箱或電報交郵局發出，承諾即生效，合同就成立。即使郵局疏忽，使承諾在傳遞中遺失，也不妨礙承諾的效力。從這個角度講，接收方須承擔風險。可以說，投郵主義是一種風險分配機制（risk allocation mechanism）。

將投郵主義應用到現代的通知條款中舉例如下：某人用其持有的某個公司的股權做質押向銀行借款，借款合同中約定，在逾期還款時，銀行通知他立刻還款，否則在郵寄出催款通知的五天后仍未能還款的話，借款人即構成違約，銀行會取消他贖回質押物的權利。于是，銀行以郵寄的方式將通知發送給了借款人。不幸的是，這封信偏偏在遞送過程中弄丟了，最終借款人的股權被銀行沒收。可以說，借款人無計可施，因為在他簽訂借款合同時，即同意了合同中基于“投郵主義”的通知條款。

與投郵主義相對立的是到達主義（receipt rule），該原則主張受要約人的承諾要到達要約人時才生效。如果把到達主義的概念運用到上述例子中，借款人可以在和銀行簽訂合同時指出：通知必須要在送達接收方時方才生效。這樣借款人就將風險轉移給銀行，如果銀行沒有將通知成功送達給他，就無權沒收他的股權。

實務中，起草合同時，雙方通常會因權利、義務以及違約責任條款直接關系到合同各方的權益而花費較多篇幅設定，卻忽視了看上去不那么重要的通知條款，從上述例子可以看出，通知條款與合同各方的權益是緊密聯系的。通知是否已經送達給對方，有時候是區分合同各方權利和義務的關鍵所在。比如，一方是否適當地行使了優先權，是否適當地宣告了對方違約，或者是否適當地提出了賠償請求，可能取決于通知的形式、內容、時間、交付方式及通知的有效送達。

因此，對于守約方而言，通知條款的作用是防止對方不接收相關書面文件，在發生糾紛時無法取得相關證據。例如，合同中通常會設定單方變更或者解除合同權，一旦滿足條件，守約方將要向違約方發送通知行使單方變更或解除權。但是，我國對于通知往往采用“到達主義”（receipt rule），即，只有在發送方發送了通知且接收方接收到通知時通知才視為送達。發送方除了證明自己完成了送達義務還需要證明對方已經收到通知。只要對方不配合，送達就很難完成。實務中，接收方故意躲藏不接收或者拒收通知情形比較普遍。因此，在起草通知條款時，應注意以下方面：

第一，明確的聯系方式。聯系方式通常包括聯系人、傳真、電子郵件、住所等。首先，合同中應當有明確的聯系方式，如果缺失，即使合同約定了單方變更或解除權，也因沒有約定聯系方式而無法行使；其次，聯系方式應當準確無誤，否則，相對方會以聯系方式錯誤而沒有收到作為理由抗辯；最后，聯系方式應當是合同相對人本人或其授權指定聯系人，否則，相對方會以聯系方式的所有人非其合法授權人、無權處理合同相關事務而進行抗辯。

第二，明確的送達標準。我國《民事訴訟法》只規定人民法院送達法律文書的形式和認定標準，訴訟方式人不配合送達時，法院可以采取留置送達、公告送達等特殊方式送達。對于民商事主體而言，法無禁止即自由，民商事主體可以在合同中明確約定送達的標準，比如，通過電子郵件送達的，可以約定通知的信息發送至合同中對方指定的電子郵箱內即視為送達，即使對方沒有打開電子郵件，也可視為對方已經收到通知。

第三，如通訊地址、聯系方式發生變化，應及時通知對方。當通訊地址、聯系方式發生變化的時候，應立即書面告知對方，否則對方有可能將重要通知文件發往舊的地址而導致無法正常接收文件，最終導致無法估量的損失。實務中，經常有當事人因地址變更未通知對方，導致沒有收到法院的傳票、起訴狀等文件，未能參加庭審提出抗辯，最終導致法院缺席判決，損失巨大。

“到達主義”的通知條款如下例：

A notice is deemed to have been received as follows：

a.If a Notice is delivered in person，or sent by Registered or Certified Mail，or nationally/internationally recognized overnight courier，upon receipt as indicated by the date on the signed receipt.

b.If a Notice is sent by facsimile，upon receipt by the party giving or making the Notice of an acknowledgement or transmission report generated by the machine from which the facsimile was sent indicating that the facsimile was sent in its entirety to the Addressee’s facsimile number.

c.If a Notice is sent by e-mail，upon acknowledgement of receipt of contents of email.

有的通知會給接收方帶來不利的后果，接收方會故意逃避或拒絕簽收。“投郵主義”避免了這種風險，銀行給客戶發送的一般通知往往采用“投郵生效”，如下例：

Any notice：

Sent by repaid registered post will be deemed to have been received on the 5th（fifth）business day after posting.

Sent by ordinary mail will be deemed to have been received on the 7th（seventh）business day after posting.

Delivered by hand will be deemed to have been received on the day of delivery.

Sent by telefax or email will be deemed to have been received on the 1st（first）business day after the date is was sent.

更多通知條款的例子如下：

范例一：

All the notices（including any invoice or report）authorized or required by and between Seller and Buyer at set out in any of the articles herein shall be made in writing in Chinese and English，and delivered by hand，courier，or registered mail to the following address or other address informed by both Parties in writing.

Party A：

Address for Notice：

Attention：

Telephone：

Facsimile：

Party B：

Address for Notice：

Attention：

Telephone：

Facsimile：

Notices are effective when received by the recipient during the recipient’s regular business hours.Notices shall be deemed to have been received：（1）upon confirmed receipt of delivery if delivered by hand；（2）upon confirmed transmission if sent by fax：（3）upon acknowledgement of receipt if sent by registered mail or courier；（4）upon acknowledgement of receipt of contents of email（other than auto-reply）if sent by email.

If the time of such deemed receipt is not during customary hours of business，notice shall be deemed to have been received at 8：00 a.m.on the first day of business thereafter.

參考譯文：

本合同所有條款規定的買賣雙方授權或要求的所有通知（包括發票和報告）均須采取中英文書面形式，并且采用專人遞送、快遞或掛號信送至下方地址或雙方書面通知的其他地址。

甲方：

地址：

接收人：

電話：

傳真：

乙方：

地址：

接收人：

電話：

傳真：

通知只有在接收方于其正常工作時段內收到方才有效。通知在以下情形視作收悉：（1）如果由專人遞送，于確認收到之時；（2）如果經傳真發出，于確認傳送成功之時；（3）如果以掛號信或快遞方式發出，于確認收到之時；（4）如果經電子郵件發出，于電子郵件內容確認收到之時（但不包括自動回復）。

范例二：

Written notice may be sent by facsimile to the numbers listed above，but such notice shall not be effective unless the sender receives a return facsimile acknowledging receipt of the notice.Notice shall be deemed received when actually delivered to the recipient as demonstrated by courier records.E-mail notice shall be deemed received when actually delivered to the recipient as demonstrated by “sent records”. Facsimile notice shall be deemed received upon receipt by the sender of an acknowledgment as described.The addresses and transmittal numbers set forth above can be changed only by written notice that complies with the requirements of this Article and the notice shall be issued in ［3］ days after the addresses and transmittal numbers changes，otherwise the previous information is still effective.

書面通知可通過上述傳真號發送，但發件人收到收件人傳真回執表明收到通知后，該通知方能生效。如果快遞記錄顯示已交付收件人，該通知應視為收到。如果電子郵箱記錄顯示已發送，該通知應視為收到。傳真通知在發件人收到上述確認后應視為收到。以上所述任何信息若有變更，須根據本條規定在變更后［3］日內發出書面通知，否則視為原信息仍為有效。

范例三：

All notifications，files，and data mutually issued by both parties arising from the performance of this Agreement should be served according to the address，fax or e-mail specified in this Agreement；any party shall notify the other party in writing in the occasion of relocation or changing the phone，fax or e-mail.

If sent by fax，the fax is deemed served upon the issue；if by mail，the mail is deemed served on the date of posing or registering；if by e-mail，the message is deemed served when sent successfully.

參考譯文：

甲乙雙方因履行本協議而相互發出或者提供的所有通知、文件、資料，均以本協議所列明的地址、傳真或電子郵件送達，如果一方遷址或者變更電話、傳真、電子郵件的，應當以書面形式通知對方。

使用傳真方式的，在發出傳真時視為送達；以郵寄方式的，掛號信寄出或投郵日視為送達；使用電子郵件方式的，郵件發送成功視為送達。

◆ 總結：

1.通知發送方式的句型如下：

——［Notice］ shall be delivered/sent/given/addressed by ［manner］ to ［addressee & address］.

——［Addresser］ shall notify/deliver/send ［addressee］ ［notice］ by ［manners］ to ［addressee & address］.

2.通知生效時間的句型如下：

到達生效：

upon confirmed/acknowledged delivery/transmission…

upon receipt as confirmed/indicated by…

投郵生效：

upon the delivery at/to…

at the time of sending or the next business day

upon/on the ［number］ business day after…

after ［number］（business）days

另外，delivered 可用來表述“發送方式”，如shall be delivered by courier，也會被用在“生效時間”的表述中，如shall be deemed delivered，在這兩種表達中，delivered分別被譯為“寄送”和“送達”。

Served 一般用來表達“送達”，如If a notice is sent by fax，the fax is deemed served upon the issue.

十一、爭議解決條款（Dispute Resolution Clause）

合同雙方發生爭議后，一般有以下幾種解決方法：協商（negotiation）、調解（mediation）、仲裁（arbitration）、訴訟（litigation）。合同中，雙方當事人一般會約定在發生爭議的時候協商解決，協商不成的時候再選擇通過訴訟或者仲裁的方式解決。有些當事人約定發生爭議后即可以通過訴訟又可以通過仲裁的方式解決爭議，這種既約定仲裁又約定訴訟的爭議條款一般認定無效，一旦發生糾紛，通常情況下是由有管轄權的人民法院解決。

在國際商事領域，仲裁由于具有一裁終局性（finality）、中立性（neutrality）、靈活性（flexibility）、保密性（confidentiality）等優勢，其使用的頻率要遠遠大于訴訟。而且根據《紐約公約》（承認和執行外國仲裁裁決的公約，Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards），仲裁的效力是受各國司法強制力保障實施的，這就避免了協商、調解、訴訟結果難以得到他國承認和執行的問題。因此，仲裁協議是我們研究的重點。

范例一：

The two parties agree by consensus that any disputes arising in this contract and its performance will be settled through negotiation.If the negotiation fails，the competent people’s court at Party A’s place will have jurisdiction over the case.

The conclusion，performance，interpretation and settlement of disputes of this contract shall be governed by the laws of the People’s Republic of China，excluding the application of all other conflict laws.

參考譯文：

雙方協商一致同意，因本協議及其履行過程中發生的任何爭議都協商解決，協商不成的，由甲方所在地有管轄權的人民法院管轄。

本協議的訂立、履行、解釋及爭議的解決均適用中華人民共和國法律，并排除其他一切沖突法的適用。

范例二：

Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this contract，including any issues regarding its existence，validity or termination，shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration in Singapore in accordance with the Arbitration Rules of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre（“SIAC Rules”）for the time being in force，which rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference in this provision.The Tribunal shall consist of ________ arbitrator（s）to be appointed by the Chairman of the SIAC.The language of the arbitration shall be ________.

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of________（name of the country or state）.

參考譯文：

任何由本合同引起或與本合同相關的爭議，包括其是否存在、有效、終止等問題均應提交新加坡，根據新加坡國際仲裁中心當時有效的仲裁規則（SIAC規則）進行最終解決，該規則應被視為已經合并到本條款中。仲裁庭應由該中心主席指定的________仲裁員組成。仲裁語言應當為________。

本合同應該根據________（國際或州的名稱）法律進行解釋并受該等法律管轄。

范例三：

The parties acknowledge that they intend to establish a mutually beneficial relationship and that，to this end，they will strive to resolve any disagreements between them through amicable negotiations.Nevertheless，if a dispute does arise that they are unable to resolve otherwise，the parties will submit it to binding arbitration before the ［name of arbitration commission］.The arbitration will be conducted in ［place］，unless the parties have agreed otherwise.Any arbitration award or decision shall be final，non-appealable，and binding，and it may be submitted to a court with jurisdiction for enforcement.

參考譯文：

雙方同意他們將建立互惠關系，并盡力通過友好協商解決彼此爭議。但是，如果使用這種方法不能解決問題，雙方應將爭議提交給（名稱）仲裁機構。該仲裁機構應在（地點）進行仲裁，除非雙方另有約定。仲裁裁決應當是終局性的、不得上訴的、并有約束力的，并且可以提交給同一司法區域內的法院申請執行。

范例四：

Any dispute arising from or in connection with this contract shall be settled through friendly negotiation between the two parties.Should the negotiation fail，either party may file a lawsuit in the court with jurisdiction over the matter in the lessor’s domicile.

The costs incurred in litigation（including but not limited to case acceptance fees，travel expenses，reasonable attorney fees，etc.）are borne by the losing party.

In the case of partial disputes in the contract，during the settlement of the dispute，the parties shall continue to execute the contract terms unrelated to the dispute.

參考譯文：

凡因本合同引起的或與本合同有關的任何爭議，由雙方通過友好協商解決。協商不成，任何一方可以向出租人住所地有管轄權的人民法院提起訴訟。

因訴訟發生的相關費用（包括但不限于案件受理費、差旅費、合理的律師費等）均由敗訴方承擔。

在合同存在部分爭議的情況下，解決爭議期間，雙方仍應繼續執行與爭議無關的合同條款。

范例五：

Any disputes，controversies，differences or claims（collectively referred to as disputes）arising out of the conclusion，entry into force，interpretation or performance of this Agreement shall be settled through friendly negotiation.

If the dispute cannot be settled within ________ days after one party has notified the other party in writing of the dispute，either party may submit the dispute to the ________ Arbitration Commission，with the arbitral tribunal consisting of three arbitrators.The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the arbitration rules in force at the date of signing this Agreement.

The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon all parties.

Unless otherwise determined by the arbitral tribunal，the arbitration fee，attorney’s fees and other professional advisor fees shall be borne by the losing party.

參考譯文：

各方之間就本協議的訂立、生效、解釋或履行產生或引起的任何爭議、糾紛、分歧或權利主張（統稱：爭議）均應通過友好協商解決。

如果爭議不能在一方書面通知另一方存在爭議后的____日內解決，任何一方均可將爭議事項提交________仲裁委員會，由3名仲裁員組成仲裁庭，按照在本協議簽訂之日有效的仲裁規則進行仲裁。

仲裁裁決均為終局裁決，對各方均具有約束力。

除非仲裁庭另有裁定，仲裁費用、律師費用和其他專業顧問費用應由敗訴方承擔。

十二、法律適用條款（Choice of Law Clause）

法律適用條款是指在國際商務活動中，營業地分處不同國家的當事人之間訂立的法律選擇條款。由于各國政治、經濟、法律制度不同，在發生爭議的時候，涉及選擇哪個國家法律解決爭議的問題，因此也就產生了法律沖突和法律適用問題。當事人在合同中明確宣布合同適用何國法律的條款被稱作法律適用條款或法律選擇條款。

因為當事人（及其律師）對本國法律更為熟悉，他們通常希望本國法律成為適用協議項下所有爭議的準據法。

范例一：

This agreement shall be interpreted and construed according to，and governed by，the laws of China，excluding any such laws that might direct the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.The courts located in ［Jurisdiction Convenient to All Parties］ shall have jurisdiction to hear any dispute under this Agreement.

參考譯文：

本協議受中國之法律管轄，并依其進行解釋，但可能導致適用另一司法管轄區法律的法律除外。位于［對各方均方便的司法轄區］的法院對本協議項下的任何爭議均有管轄權。

范例二：

This contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of ［franchisor’s state］，except for matters arising from or concerning Section ____ which shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of ［franchisee’s state］.

參考譯文：

本協議除因第____條而起或與之有關的事項應當由［特許經營者所在州］之法律管轄并依其進行解釋外，受［授予特許經營權者所在州］之法律管轄，并依其進行解釋。

范例三：

The construction，validity and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the applicable laws of Singapore without regard to its conflict of law rules.

本協議的解釋、效力、履行受新加坡法律的約束，并依其解釋，排除沖突法規則的適用。

總結：法律適用條款的基本句式結構通常為：The formation，validity，interpretation，performance and settlement of disputes of this agreement/contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of ________.

或者：The laws of ［country name］（without giving effect to its conflicts of law principles）govern all matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement，including，without limitation，its validity，interpretation，construction，performance，and enforcement.