二十一世紀合同的英漢對照范本

1、美國資深律師經(jīng)驗：二十一世紀寫好合同的五十招（英漢對照）FIFTY TIPS FOR WRITING THE 21ST CENTURY CONTRACT THAT STAYS OUT OF COURT 二十一世紀寫好合同的五十招作者： James.Martin譯者：胡清平Published in The Florida Bar Journal, Nov. 2000（本文于 2000 年 11 月發(fā)表于美國佛羅里達州的律師雜志上）Note: This article is for background purposes only and is not intended as legal advi

2、ce. 作者注：本文僅供參考，并不旨在提供法律意見 譯者注：翻譯本文并未得到原作者同意，故譯文僅供學(xué)習(xí)和研究使用 .Welcome to the 21st Century. Where practicing law requires us to don the garb of computers a nd the Internet. And where litigation is as costly as ever. Lawyer bills running $10,000 a m onth are not unusual in a hotly contested breach of cont

3、ract lawsuit. With every word, phras e and sentence carrying the potential for winning or losing, the stakes are high. Simple log ic, therefore, directs us to cautious and thoughtful drafting.新世紀的到來，要求我們在法律實踐中應(yīng)該多用電腦和互聯(lián)網(wǎng)，不過，訴訟成本還是那么地高，面對日益 競爭激烈的違約訴訟，律師每月開出 1 萬美元的賬單也是常有的事。合同中的每一個字，每一個詞，每一 句話，都意味著潛在的輸或

4、贏，換句話說，押在這上面下的賭注也很大，所以，在起草合同時要把握兩條 原則：小心謹慎和深思熟慮。Drafting contracts is actually one of the simple pleasures of practicing law. Just 3 years a go at this Convention I presented 50 tips for contract writing. This article updates those t ips in the context of our new tools and abilities. Following these

5、 tips could result in yourwriting a contract so clear no one will want to litigate it, saving your client from the trials and tribulations of litigation, truly a good reason to write the contract that stays ou t of court., 但愿它然而，起草合同的確又是法律實踐中一件有意思的事兒。大約三年前，也是在這樣一個會議上，我提出了 合同起草的 50 招。本文在那些招數(shù)的基礎(chǔ)上，結(jié)合一些

6、新的工具和技能，推出了下面這個新版本 們能幫助你起草無可挑剔的合同，讓你的客戶免受訴訟的困擾。These tips apply to writing all kinds of agreements: office leases, real estate contracts, sales agreements, employment contracts, equipment leases, prenuptial agreements. They even ap ply to stipulations and settlements in litigation, where you want an

7、 agreement so clear that it avoids future litigation. Wherever clarity and simplicity are important, these tips will guide you there. The Appendix provides a few sample forms to illustrate these tips.這些招數(shù)適用于各種合同，比如，辦公租賃合同、不動產(chǎn)合同、買賣合同、勞動合同、設(shè)備租賃合同、婚 前協(xié)議。同樣，如果你不想讓你在訴訟中所起草的和解條款與協(xié)議再起爭議的話，也可以參考一下這些招 數(shù)。另外，通

8、過了解這些招數(shù)，你就會明白，起草合同，清晰、簡明是多么地重要。本文的附錄提供了一 些簡單的法律文書本 這將有助于你理解這些招數(shù)。Before You Write the First Word 第一部分：在動筆之前1. Ask your client to list the deal points. This can be in the form of a list, outline or na rration. Doing this will help the client focus on the terms of the agreement.1. 要求你的客戶列出合同交易的要點，也可以說是

9、合同的清單、目錄或概述。這一招首先幫助你的客戶弄 清合同的重點所在。2. Engage your client in "what if" scenarios. A good contract will anticipate many possible factual situations and express the parties' understanding in case those facts arise. Talking to your client about this will generate many issues you may not oth

10、erwise consider.2. 讓你的客戶提供一些假設(shè)可能發(fā)生的情況。好的合同不僅能夠預(yù)見到許多可能發(fā)生的情況，而且還能清 楚地描述出發(fā)生這些情況后合同雙方的立場。和客戶聊這些情況將有助于你發(fā)現(xiàn)一些你可能沒有考慮到的 問題。3. Ask your client for a similar contract. Frequently, clients have had similar transactionsin the past or they have access to contracts for similar transactions.3. 請求你的客戶提供類似的合同。通常情況下，

11、客戶都保留著過去的交易記錄或者是類似合同。4. Search your office computer or the Internet for a similar form. Many times you can find a similar form on your computer. It may be one you prepared for another client or one you neg otiated with another lawyer. Just remember to find and replace the old client's name. Star

12、ti ng with an existing form saves time and avoids the errors of typing. Here are some Web sites where you can find forms:././library.html .westgroup.lexis./4. 在辦公室的電腦中或是在因特網(wǎng)上搜索類似的合同本。通常你會在你的電腦上找到你想要的東西，這些 類似的合同本要么是你給其他客戶準備的，要么是你和其他的律師共同協(xié)商起草的。使用這些舊合同可以 為你節(jié)省時間和避免打印錯誤，不過，用這些合

13、同本時別忘了替換掉老客戶的名字。下面是些有關(guān)合同本 的網(wǎng)址，供參考：././library.html .westgroup.5. Obtain forms in books or CD-ROM. Typical forms of contracts can be found in form books, s uch as West's Legal Forms (a nationwide set) and Florida Jur Forms, as well as in treatises and Florida Bar CLE pu

14、blications. These can be used as the starting point for drafting the c ontract or as checklists of typical provisions and wording to include in the contract. Many treatises and form books now come with forms on disk or CD-ROM.5. 從書中或者是光盤上獲取合同本。 典型的合同本在一些例書中都可能找到： 比如, 西方法律文書（全國版） 佛羅里達州文書期刊， 另外， 在有些論文

15、和佛羅里達州律師協(xié)會的法律繼續(xù)教育出版物中也可以找到一些。 起草合同時，你可以把這些本當(dāng)做原始資料，利用其中某些典型的條款和措詞。更為方便的是，許多論文 和書中的合同本都有電子文本儲存在磁盤或光盤中。6. Don't let your client sign a letter of intent without this wording. Sometimes clients are anxious to sign something to show good faith before the contract is prepared. A properly wo rded letter

16、 of intent is useful at such times. Just be sure that the letter of intent clearl y states that it is not a contract, but that it is merely an outline of possible terms for d iscussion purposes. See Appendix C.6. 如果沒有特別申明，不要讓你的客戶在意向書上簽字。有時候，在合同未準備好之前，客戶為了表示誠 意，往往急于簽署某些東西，當(dāng)然，在這種情況下，如果客戶急于簽署的是有特別申明的意向

17、書，這也是 可以的，但一定要注明：本意向書并非合同，只是雙方為了更好地溝通協(xié)商，而擬定的對未來條款的概述。 類似意向書的例見附錄 C。Writing that First Word第二部分：開始起草合同7. Start with a simple, generic contract form. The form in Appendix A is such a form. It pro vides a solid starting point for the structure of the contract. Like a house, a contract mus t have a good

18、, solid foundation.7. 從簡單、典型的合同入手。附錄 A 就是一個簡單、典型的合同，它提供了一個合同的基本支架。像房子 一樣，一個合同必須有一個牢固的根基。8. State the correct legal names of the parties in the first paragraph. As obvious as this is, it is one of the most common problems in contracts. For individuals, include full first a nd last name, and middle in

19、itials if available, and other identifying information, if appropriate, such as Jr., M.D., etc. For corporations, check with the Secretary of State where inc orporated.8. 在合同的第一段要寫清楚雙方的名稱。，這是個簡單而又不得不引起重視的問題。如果是個人，要寫清 姓和名, 中間有大寫字母和其他身份信息的，也要注明，例如： jr.,M.D, 等等；如果是公司，為避免弄錯， 寫名稱時可以到公司注冊地的相應(yīng)機構(gòu)去核對一下。9. Id

20、entify the parties by nicknames. Giving each party a nickname in the first paragraph will make the contract easier to read. For example, James W. Martin would be nicknamed "Martin.I!9. 確定合同雙方的別稱（簡稱）。為便于閱讀，一般要在合同的第一段為雙方弄一個別稱，如：將詹姆士 . 馬丁簡寫為 " 馬丁"。10. Be careful when using legal terms fo

21、r nicknames. Do not use "Contractor" as a nickname u nless that party is legally a contractor. Do not use "Agent" unless you intend for that part y to be an agent, and if you do, then you better specify the scope of authority and other ag ency issues to avoid future disagreements

22、.10. 使用法定術(shù)語作為雙方當(dāng)事人的別稱時，要小心。除非一方當(dāng)事人在法定上就是承包人，否則不要將 " 承包人"作為其別稱。同樣，除非你想讓一方當(dāng)事人成為法定上的代理人，否則不要稱其為 "代理人 "，如果 堅持要用，最好明確一下代理圍并找到其他可以避免將來爭執(zhí)的方案。11. Include a blank for the date in the first paragraph. Putting the date in the first parag raph makes it easy to find after the contract is sign

23、ed. It also makes it easy to describe t he contract in other documents in a precise way, such as the "December 20, 2000, Contract fo r Sale of Real Estate."11. 在合同的第一段要為書寫簽約時間留下空格。 把簽約時間放在第一段， 當(dāng)合同簽署后， 你就能夠很容易 地找到它，而且，這樣做還可以給你在其他相關(guān)文件中準確地描述這個合同提供幫助，例如：不動產(chǎn)買賣 合同，訂立于 2000 年 12 月 20 日12. Include

24、 to provide background. Recitals are the "whereas" clauses that precede the body of a contract. They provide a simple way to bring the contract's reader (party, judge or jury) up to speed on what the contract is about, who the parties are, why they are signing a co ntract, etc. The fir

25、st paragraph in the body of the contract can incorporate the recitals by reference and state that they are true and correct. This will avoid a later argument as to whether or not the recitals are a legally binding part of the contract.12. 書寫引述語。 引述語是指那些放在合同主體前面的 "鑒于"條款。書寫此類條款的目的是為了讓讀者 常指合同

26、雙方，法官，陪審團)很快地了解到合同的主要容是什么，合同雙方是誰，以及他們?yōu)槭裁春炗?合同，等等。當(dāng)然，合同主體的第一段也可以加上引述語并述其是真實準確的，如果這樣做了，合同雙方 將來就不會爭執(zhí)：引述語作為合同的一部分是否具有法律效力？13. Outline the contract by writing out and underlining paragraph headings in their logical order. The paragraphs should flow in logical, organized fashion. It is not necessary to wr

27、it e them all at once; you can write them as you think of them. Try to group related concepts i n the same paragraphs or in adjacent paragraphs. For example, write an employment contract's initial paragraph headings like this:Recitals.Employment.Duties.Term.Compensation.13. 按邏輯順序列出合同段落的標(biāo)題詞 .合同的段

28、落是按一定的邏輯順序組織起來的，當(dāng)然，你并不需要一 下子列出所有段落的標(biāo)題詞，想到多少就寫多少，不過，這些標(biāo)題詞要力求總結(jié)出每個段落或相關(guān)段落的 容。比如：撰寫勞動合同時列出的標(biāo)題詞就像下面這些： 引述語 聘用 職責(zé) 期限賠償14. Complete each paragraph by writing the contract terms that apply to that paragraph. This is simple. You learned this in elementary school. Just explain in words what the parties ag re

29、e to do or not do paragraph by paragraph.14. 在撰寫每一段時要注意容集中，不要東拉西扯，是的，這很簡單，你可能上小學(xué)時就學(xué)過，但我還是要 提醒你，要集中火力，一段一段地分別說明合同雙方同意做什么，不同意做什么。15. Keep a pad at hand to remember clauses to add. It is normal to think of additional claus es, wording and issues while writing a contract. Jot these down on a pad as you

30、write; they are easily forgotten. Also keep your client's outline and other forms in front of you as you write, and check off items as you write them.15. 放一個便箋簿在手邊， 以便記下需要添加的條款。 在書寫合同的同時， 你可能隨時會想到一些需要添加 條款、措詞和問題，要盡快記在便箋簿上，因為他們太容易忘了。另外，你最好將客戶列出的要點和一些 類似的合同本也放在眼前，以便在書寫過程中隨時查對。16. Repeat yourself o

31、nly when repetition is necessary to improve clarity. Ambiguity is creat ed by saying the same thing more than once; it is almost impossible to say it twice without creating ambiguity. Only if the concept is a difficult one should you write it in more than one way. In addition, if you use an example

32、to clarify a difficult concept or formula, be su re that all possible meanings are considered and that the example is accurate and consistent with the concept as worded.16. 除非是為了更清晰地說明問題， 否則不要在合同中重復(fù)述某個容。 將一個事實來回地說很容易讓人模棱 兩可。如果你將一個概念重復(fù)地解釋，那理解起來就更有困難。另外，如果你想通過一個例子來闡明一個 難以理解的概念或規(guī)則時，一定要考慮到其所有的含義、這個例子的準確

33、性以及它和概念的相符性。What to Watch Out for When Writing第三部分：撰寫時的注意事項17. Title it "Contract." Do not leave this one to chance. If your client wants a contract, c all it a contract. A judge now sitting on the federal bench once ruled that a document entit led "Proposal" was not a contract e

34、ven though signed by both parties. The lesson learned is, "Say what you mean." If you intend the document to be a legally binding contract, use the w ord "Contract" in the title.17. 標(biāo)題上注明 "合同" 兩字。不要為碰運氣而忽略這個。如果你的客戶需要合同，就要注明是合同。一個仍 在聯(lián)邦法院里任職的法官就曾經(jīng)裁定：有雙方簽字，但標(biāo)有"建議書 &qu

35、ot; 的文件并非合同。這給我們的教訓(xùn)就是，你怎么想，就應(yīng)該怎么說。如果你想讓你的文件成為具有法律效力的合同，就要在標(biāo)題中注明"合同 "字樣。18. Write in short sentences. Short sentences are easier to understand than long ones.18. 寫短句子，因為短句子比長句子讓人更容易理解。19. Write in active tense, rather than passive. Active tense sentences are shorter and use w ords more effi

36、ciently, and their meaning is more apparent. Example of active: "Sellers shall sell the Property to Buyer." Example of passive: "The Property shall be sold to Buyer by Se ller."19. 用主動語態(tài)而不用被動語態(tài)。相對而言，主動語態(tài)的句子更簡短，措詞更精練，表達更明白。還是讓我 們來來看一個例子吧， 主動語態(tài)的句子： 賣方將把此物賣給買方 ; 被動語態(tài)的句子： 此物將被賣方賣給買方。

37、20. Don't use the word "biweekly." It has two meanings: twice a week and everyother week. The same applies to "bimonthly." Instead, write "every other week" or "twice a week."20. 不要用“雙周”之類的詞，因為這有可能產(chǎn)生歧義 是兩周還是每隔一周？類似的詞還有 "雙月", 所以最好這樣寫 :" 兩周&qu

38、ot;或"每隔一周 " 。21. Don't say things like "active termites and organisms". Avoid ambiguity by writing either"active termites and active organisms" or "organisms and active termites." When adding a modifier like "active" before a compound of nouns li

39、ke "termites and organisms", be sure to clarify whether you intend the modifier to apply to both nouns or just the first one. If you intend it to apply to both, use parallel construction and write the modifier in front of eachnoun. If you intend it to apply to just one noun, place that one

40、 noun at the end of the list and the modifier directly in front of it.21. 不要說 "活動著的白蟻和有機體 "之類的話，為了避免模棱兩可，最好這樣寫： “活動著的白蟻和活動著 的有機體”或是“白蟻和活動著的有機體”。當(dāng)一組名詞（如 "白蟻和有機體 "）前有一個修飾語（如 " 活動 著的 " ）時，你一定要弄清楚這個修飾語是修飾兩個名詞還是僅僅修飾第一個名詞。如果是修飾兩個詞，可 以用排比的手法分別在這兩個詞之前加上修飾語，如果你只想修飾一個名詞，那么你就應(yīng)該把這個

41、詞放在 這組詞的最后，然后在它的前面加上修飾語。22. Don't say "Lessor" and "Lessee." These are bad nicknames for a lease because they are easily reversed or mistyped. Use "Landlord" and "Tenant" instead. The same applies to lienor and lienee, mortgagor and mortgagee, grantor and

42、grantee, licensor and licensee, party A andparty B. This is where you can use your creativity to come up with a different nickname fora party, as long as you use it consistently throughout the contract.22. 不要說“出租人”和“承租人”。這對一個租賃合同來說是些不好的別稱，因為他們?nèi)菀妆活嵉够蛘叱?現(xiàn)打印錯誤?？梢杂谩胺繓|”和“房客”來代替他們。同樣，在合同中也不要說留置權(quán)人和留置人，抵押 權(quán)

43、人和抵押人，保證人和被保證人，許可人和被許可人，當(dāng)事人A 和當(dāng)事人 B 到底怎么說，這就要看你駕馭語言的能力了，不過，要把握的一條原則，即在整個合同中，對合同一方只能用一個別稱。23. Watch out when using "herein." Does "wherever used herein" mean anywhere in the contractor anywhere in the paragraph? Clarify this ambiguity if it matters.23. 使用術(shù)語“本文（ herein ，也可譯為”“在這里”）

44、時要當(dāng)心。為了避免含糊不清，使用“本文”時最 好特別申明一下“本文”是指整個合同，還是指其所在的某一段落。24. Write numbers as both words and numerals: ten (10). This will reduce the chance for errors.24. 寫數(shù)目時要文字和阿拉伯?dāng)?shù)字并用，如：拾10）。這將減少一些不經(jīng)意的錯誤25. When you write "including" consider adding "but not limited to." Unless you intend the l

45、ist to be all-inclusive, you had better clarify your intent that it is merely an example.25. 如果你想用 "包括" 這個詞，就要考慮在其后加上 "但不限于 " 的分句。除非你能夠列出所有被包括的項，否則最好用 " 但不限于 " 的分句，來說明你只是想舉個例子。26. Don't rely on the rules of grammar. The rules of grammar that you learned in school ar

46、e not universal. The judge or jury interpreting the meaning of your contract may have learned different rules. Write the contract so that no matter what rules they learned, the contract is clear and unambiguous. Follow this test for clear writing: Remove all periods and commas, then read it. Choosin

47、g the right words and placing them in the right place makes the writin g clear without punctuation.26. 不要依賴于語法規(guī)則。 那些你在學(xué)校里得到的語法規(guī)則并不是放之四海而皆準的東西， 因為有權(quán)力來解釋此合同的法官或陪審團成員學(xué)的語法規(guī)則可能和你學(xué)的不一樣，但不管學(xué)的是什么規(guī)則，撰寫合同都要遵循一個基本原則：簡潔、明確。檢測你寫的東西是否達到這個要求有個好辦法，那就是去掉所有的句號和逗號，然后去讀它。在沒有標(biāo)點符號的情況下，選擇正確的詞語放在正確的位置上，這將使你寫出來的東西更簡明，更流暢。27

48、. Don't be creative with words. Contract writing is not creative writing and is not meant to provoke reflective thoughts or controversies about nuances of meaning. Contract writing i s clear, direct and precise. Therefore, use common words and common meanings. Write for the common man and the co

49、mmon woman.27. 不要創(chuàng)造詞語。合同文書不是創(chuàng)造性的作品，也就不能因為意思的細微差別而引起思考或, 表達普通的意思，為普通人撰寫合爭論。合同文書應(yīng)該是清晰、直接而準確的。因此，要使用普通的詞語28. Be consistent in using words. If you refer to the subject matter of a sales contract as "goods" use that term throughout the contract; do not alternately call them "goods" an

50、d "items." Maintaining consistency is more important than avoiding repetition. Don't worry about p utting the reader to sleep; worry about the opposing lawyer a year from now hunting for ambi guities to get your contract into court.28. 用詞一致。在一份銷售合同中，如果你想用“貨物”來指整個合同的標(biāo)的物，就不要時而稱它們?yōu)椤柏?物”，時

51、而又改稱它們?yōu)椤爱a(chǎn)品”。保持用詞一致性比避免重復(fù)更加重要。不要擔(dān)心這會讓讀者打瞌睡； 你應(yīng)該提防的是對方律師會因為含糊不清的合同而將你告上法庭。29. Be consistent in grammar and punctuation. The rules of grammar and punctuation you learn ed may differ from others, but you had better be consistent in your use of them. Be aware of such things as where you put ending quote

52、marks, whether you place commas after years and s tates, and similar variations in style.29. 在文法和標(biāo)點符號上保持一致。 你可能學(xué)過許多不同類的文法和標(biāo)點符號規(guī)則， 但在使用它們時最好保 持一致。要特別注意句末的引號、時間和地點之后的逗號以及文風(fēng)的相似性。30. Consider including choice of law, venue selection, and attorneys fee clauses. If your co ntract gets litigated, you might

53、 as well give your client some "ammunition" for the fight. E xamples of these clauses appear in Appendices A and C.30. 可以在合同中加入準據(jù)法、審判地、律師費等條款。有了這些條款，一旦合同引起訴訟，你就已經(jīng)為了你的客戶打這場訴訟戰(zhàn)準備了一些“彈藥”。類似的條款見附錄A和BoWrite for the Judge and Jury第四部分：要為法官和陪審團考慮31. Assume the reader is a knowledgeable layman. If

54、 your writing is so clear that a layman c ould understand it, then it is less likely it will end up in court.31. 要假設(shè)合同的讀者是一個受過教育的外行 , 如果你書寫的合同簡明得連一個外行都能理解，那么即使到 了法庭上 , 你也不用害怕。32. Define a word by capitalizing it and putting it in quotes. Capitalizing a word indicatesthat you intend it to have a spec

55、ial meaning. The following are two sample clauses for defining terms:Wherever used in this contract, the word "Goods" shall mean the goods that Buyer has agreedto purchase from Seller under this contract.Buyer hereby agrees to purchase from Seller ten(10) frying pans, hereinafter called th

56、e "Goods."32. 強調(diào)一個合同術(shù)語可以這樣做： 加上雙引號并將其開頭的字母大寫。 將一個詞語的開頭字母大寫表明你 想讓它有一個特別的意思。下面有兩個定義術(shù)語的例子：一. 本合同中使用的“貨物” ("Goods") 是指買方已經(jīng)同意向賣方購買的貨物 ;二. 本合同中買方同意向賣方購買的拾( 10)只平底鍋，即下文中的“貨物” ("Goods") 。33. Define words when first used. Instead of writing a section of definitions at the beginn

57、ing or end of a contract, consider defining terms and concepts as they first appear in the contract. This will make it easier for the reader to follow.33. 第一次使用某個術(shù)語時就要下定義。 定義合同術(shù)語不是在合同的開頭， 也不是在合同的結(jié)尾， 而是在這 個術(shù)語第一次出現(xiàn)的時候，這樣做，有利于讀者更好地理解合同。34. Explain technical terms and concepts. Remember that the parties

58、 might understand technical jargon, but the judge and jury who interpret and apply the contract do not. Therefore, explain the contract's terms and concepts within the contract itself. Let the contract speak for itself from within its four corners.34. 勤于解釋合同中的術(shù)語和概念。 要記住合同雙方的當(dāng)事人可能會理解合同中某些專用術(shù)語， 但法

59、官和陪 審團卻可能一無所知。所以撰寫合同時要讓合同自己為自己釋義。Keep Your Client Informed While You Write 第五部分：書寫時要常和你的客戶溝通35. All contracts should come with a cover letter. This gives you a place to instruct your c lient on how to use and sign the contract.35. 所有的合同都應(yīng)該有一封說明書 - 用來告訴你的客戶如何使用和簽署合同。36. Tell your client the ideas tha

60、t come as you write. Many ideas will occur to you as you w rite: things that could go wrong with the deal, things that might happen in the future, thin gs that happened in the past, ways to structure things better. Write these in your letter to the client.36. 告訴客戶你在撰寫過程中的一些想法。 比如： 哪些事情可能會隨著交易變得很遭， 哪些事可能會在將來 發(fā)生， 哪些事情已經(jīng)發(fā)生了， 哪些可以讓事情朝好的方向發(fā)展的方法 你最好在給客戶的說明書中都將這些都寫上。37. Inform your client of the risks. Writing a letter to the client as you write the contrac t is the perfect way to inform the client of the ri