第七课合同翻译（二）

上一课介绍了合同翻译的基本特点以及合同的基本组成部分，本课将继续详细说明如何起草与翻译合同。对于一些格式化的条款，如“鉴于条款”（whereas clause）、过渡条款、证明条款等，在上一课中已经进行了基本介绍，本课不再具体介绍。本课主要就合同的“正文部分”的条款的起草进行介绍。

义务条款是合同的重要组成部分，这是最经常发生争议并进行诉讼的合同条款。其主要内容一般包括：

具体例句如下：

1. The Vendor shall obtain from Manufacturer and shall sell to A Co. and A Co. shall purchase from the Vendor Products in accordance with this Agreement.（依本协议，卖方应从制造商处获得产品并向A公司出售；A公司应从卖方处购买该种产品。）

2. The Parties anticipate that the Vendor will fill at least eighty-five(85%) in a Purchase Order. Any greater shortfall in a quarter shall be the basis for liquidated damages⁽¹⁾ as set forth in Section 5.2.（各当事方认为卖方能交付订单的百分之八十五。不足程度超过1/4的，按第5.2条规定的违约金条款处理。）

3. Time is of the essence in each order. If any shipment of Products is not made as promised, A Co., without waiving or prejudicing any of its other remedies, may refuse any Products and cancel without any liability any or all future shipments. （每个订单中的“时间”极为关键。如产品的任何一部分未能按约定的时间装运，A公司不需要放弃也不影响其享有的任何救济，可拒绝接受任意该产品，且可以取消随后部分或全部订单，无须承担任何责任。）

在价格条款中，一般应当明确合同涉及的税费种类，除法定支付主体外，必须明确约定是由哪一方最终承担税费支付责任。例如：

1. The agreed upon prices shall include ocean freight, inland transportation, taxes, packaging, and insurance costs from point of origin to A Co.'s delivery destination and all applicable customs duties and similar charges. Vendor shall be the importer of record on all shipments. Manufacturer represents and warrants that the pricing to Vendor shall be the best pricing offered to any purchasers of the Products.议定的价格应包括从最初产地到A公司交货终点的海洋运输、内陆运输的费用、税费、包装费、保险费以及所有适用的关税和类似费用。卖方应为所有批次装运货物的“登记进口商”。制造商陈述并保证给予卖方的报价应为向该产品任何买方提供的价格中的最优价格。

2. The price of Agreement Product and the period of validity should subject to the negotiation between Party A and Party B. Once fixed, the price keeps ascertained in the period of validity, unless Party A and Party B negotiate to change. All Agreement Product's price is Shanghai port delivery price in USD(under special circumstances, the price may be Party A's warehouse delivery price). Party A should make great efforts to provide Agreement Product in most competitive market price.协议产品的价格及其有效期由甲乙双方相互商议确定。价格一旦由双方确定，则该价格在有效期内保持确定，除非经甲乙双方协商变更。所有协议产品的价格均为上海港交货USD价格（特殊情况可以甲方仓库提货价格结算）。甲方应尽力以最具有市场竞争力的价格提供协议产品。

支付条件条款主要是约定支付合同价款或酬金的时间与方式，以及是否计算利息、逾期付款的处罚方式等等。在合同中，买卖双方对付款时间和付款方式都倍加关心，为了保证货款的安全收付，双方必须对支付条款作出明确的规定。在支付条件条款中，可以规定：何时开始支付（when is payment due），分期支付还是全额支付（whether it is paid in installment or in full，是否计算利息whether interest is charged），逾期支付处罚（penalty for late payment）等内容。仅举如下几例：

1. 买方应于2011年10月1日以前将全部货款用电汇方式预付给卖方。（The buyer shall pay the total to the seller in advance by Telegraphic Transfer not later than October 1, 2011.）

2. The payment method of the first trading year is full payment of price for delivery. From the second trading year, Party A and Party B fix the trading terms for later payment together, under the precondition of long-term distribution and the enlarging marketing amount.（首交易年度采用全额支付后提货的方式。从次交易年度起，甲乙双方以长期经销和扩大营销量为前提，共同确定以后付款交易条件。）

合同期间是对合同本身的有效期约定。一般需要在合同中明确：“是一次性可以履行完毕的合同，还是需要在一定期间才能履行完毕的合同”（Is it a oneshot situation or will it last for some designed time period）以及“在什么条件下，合同的期限可以重新约定或者说合同的期限可以进一步扩展而继续有效”（How can the term be renewed or extended?）例如：

1．本协议的初始期限应当自本协议生效之日开始起算，计至该日之后的第5个日历年的12月31日。（The initial term of this Agreement shall be from the Effective Date of this Agreement to December 31 of the fifth calendar year after the effective date.）

2. The Parties may extend or renew the Agreement for additional one-year provided A Co. gives notice of its desire to extend the term no later than twenty-four(24) months prior to the end of the Initial Term or any term extension(Extended Term) and the Vendor does not give written notice within 30 days of receipt that it does not wish to extend the Term.（全体当事人可以将本协议的期限展期或者续签1年，但A公司需在“原定合同期限”结束日前24个月发出表示展期的通知且卖方在接到书面通知后30日内未发出表示不愿展期的书面通知。）

3. If anyone of Party A, Party B or Party C breaches any term of this agreement, the innocent party may terminate this agreement by notifying the counterparts 60 days in advance in written, and this agreement is terminated after the expiration of 60 days.（甲、乙、丙任何一方违反本协议的任何条款，无过错一方提前60天通过书面通知其他方式终止本协议的，本协议在60天期满时终止。）

需要说明的是，合同期间是指合同整体效力的期间，即合同生效时间与失效时间的期间。合同期间与合同履行期限（the time of performance）有重要区别：合同期间的效力指向对象是合同本身：合同期间开始是指合同整体生效，合同期间结束是指合同整体失效。而合同履行期限效力所指向的对象是合同的当事人：货物买卖合同中卖方合同履行期限就是指其交货时间，而买方的合同履行期限就是指其付款时间。

保证是指合同各方当事人的一种声明，比如货物买卖合同中，卖方对合同标的物的品质与性能进行保证，在供货后如发现非如其所述，则可以获得救济或赔偿等。例如：

1. The Vendor warrants that title to the Products is good⁽²⁾, marketable⁽³⁾ and free and clear of all taxes; that the Products are free from all defects in design, workmanship, and materials; that the Products were manufactured by Manufacturer at its plant, that the Products are fit for their ordinary intended purposes; that the Products conform to the descriptions on their labeling and packaging; that the Products and their components are new and not previously used, and that the Products are merchantable and of good quality and workmanship. （卖方保证：产品的所有权有效、可转让、无任何税务负担；产品在设计、工艺和材料上不存在任何瑕疵；产品系由制造商在其工厂生产且符合一般预期使用目的；产品与其标签和包装上的描述相符合；产品及其零部件全新、先前未被使用过，产品适销，品质、工艺好。）

2. Party A hereby represents and warrants to Party B that they are companies duly established and are validly existing, and they have authority to enter into and execute this Agreement and to perform their obligations hereunder.（甲方向乙方声明并保证：公司系合法成立并有效存续，公司有权订立与执行本协议，并履行本协议项下的各项义务。）

需要说明的是，在与美国当事方达成的合同中，保证条款是十分重要的基本条款。许多当事人正是基于某种可靠的事实因素而决定签订特定的合同的。保证条款，使一方当事人综合思考和界定他所赖以决定签订合同的各种事实因素，并要求对方明确地在合同中保证这些事实因素，而且能够依其所声明的保证充分地履行合同。

违约责任条款主要规定了当事人违约的条件，以及另一方当事人因其违约而能够获得取的权利。该条款一般会对合同的违约事件范围（what are the events of default?）、违约的补救期（the period to cure defaults）及违约的后果（What are the consequences of a default?）等事项进行规定。例如：

1．供货协议由于甲方违反本协议或未履行本协议而未得以订立或生效的，甲方应当承担所有的义务和责任，并赔偿乙方遭受的费用与损失。（Party A takes all responsibilities and liabilities and indemnifies Party B expenses and costs if the Supply Agreement cannot be duly concluded or come into effect due to Party A's breach of this Agreement or failure in duly performing this Agreement.）

2．In addition to the Expenses and Loss under the above Article 7, if Party A breaches this Agreement, they shall pay Party B liquidated damages equal to 30% of the amount of Expense and Loss.（除上述第7条规定的费用及损失外，如果甲方违反本协议，甲方应向乙方支付上述“费用及损失”的百分之三十，作为违约赔偿金。）

3．The Buyer must give seller written notice of any claim within 30 days after arrival of goods at port of destination. Unless such notice, accompanied by proof certified by an authorized surveyor, arrives at the seller's office during such 30 days' period, the Buyer shall be deemed to have waived any claim.（买方应在货到目的港30天内向卖方提交索赔通知。卖方在此期间如未接到买方索赔通知及公证行开立的公证报告的，视为买方放弃索赔。）

由于现实中不可预见的因素，合同不能得到完全履行的情况经常发生，妥善地解决争议可以保证经济活动的正常进行。解决争议的方式主要有诉讼（litigation）、调解（mediation）或仲裁（arbitration）。在国际合同中，仲裁是最为常用的一种方式。例如：

1．任何本协议引起的或与本协议有关的争议均应提交中国国际经济贸易仲裁委员会，根据申请仲裁时该委员会有效的仲裁规则进行仲裁。仲裁裁决是终局的，对各方均有约束力。仲裁地在北京。（Any dispute arising from or in connection with this Agreement shall be submitted to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration, which shall be conducted in accordance with the Commission's arbitration rules in effect at the time of applying for arbitration. The arbitral award is final and binding upon both parties. The place of arbitration is Beijing.）

2．If the Parties are unable to settle any dispute arising out of the Agreement in accordance with Section 19, then the dispute shall be submitted to a mutually acceptable neutral advisor for mediation. The cost of mediation shall be shared equally by the Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any dispute with respect to intellectual property rights shall be submitted to the courts and not be referred to mediation in accordance with the provisions contained in this section.（如果全体当事人未能根据第19条解决产生于本协议的任何争议，则应将争议提交至各方共同接受的“中立顾问”处寻求调解。全体当事人应当平均分摊调解的费用。但与知识产权有关的任何争议应当提交给法院解决，而不应当根据本条的规定提交调解。）

3．Any dispute which is not subject to the arbitration provision in Section 10 may then be submitted to the federal or state courts in the State of New York for resolution.（不属于第10条仲裁规定范围内的任何争议，可提交至位于纽约州的联邦或者州的法院解决。）

合同终止是指合同生效后，未履行完毕前，因出现特定的情况时，提前终止合同的效力。合同终止条款主要包括如下内容：合同终止的条件（situations of termination of the contract），合同终止的后果（consequences of termination）以及合同终止后的责任承担（posttermination obligations），等等。例如：

1. Party A may terminate this Agreement upon ninety (90) days notice if any of the following occur:（凡发生下列情况之一的，甲方可提前90天通过书面通知对方终止本协议：）

(a) The Vendor fails to supply at least 85% of Products ordered by Party A in four or more consecutive calendar quarters; or（卖方连续4个或者4个以上日历季度未能交付甲方所订购的85%及以上的产品；或者）

(b) Party A determines that the Vendor or Manufacturer have breached Section 7 of this Agreement; or（甲方认定卖方或者制造商已经违反本协议第7条的规定；或者）

(c) Party A has given the Vendor or Manufacturer written notice of a breach, and the breach has not been cured within ninety(90) days.（甲方已向卖方或者制造商发出书面违约的通知，且该违约通知在90天内未得到有效处理。）

2. Upon termination, Party A may offset any mutually agreed upon bonuses from prior purchases or other credits due.（本协议一旦终止，甲方可从先前购置的产品或者其他到期债权中冲抵经各方协定妥的奖金。）

3. The termination of the Agreement shall not affect or prejudice any provisions of the Agreement, which are expressly or by implication provided to continue in effect after such termination.（本协议的终止应不影响本协议内任何已明确规定或者默示规定的将在本协议终止后继续有效的条款。）

其他规定条款一般都是一些格式化的条款，主要包括保密（confidentiality）条款、法律适用（governing law/choice of law）、协议修订（modification of agreement）、完整协议（entire agreement）、不可抗力条款（Force Majeure）、签名（signatures）等内容。例如：

1．法律适用

本协议所有方面均受中华人民共和国法律的约束，并按照该国法律进行解释，法律规定应适用其他司法管辖区之法律的除外。(This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by and construed in accordance with the laws of PRC, excluding those laws that direct the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.)

2．完整协议

All recitals, articles, exhibits and schedules herein shall form an integral part of this Agreement. This Agreement, and the recitals, articles, exhibits and schedules hereto, constitute the entire understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matters hereof and thereof, and any prior drafts, agreements, undertakings, representations, warranties, and arrangements of any nature, whether in writing or oral, signed or unsigned, relating to such subject matter shall be superseded and terminated.（协议内各引语条款、正文、附件及附表均是本协议的组成部分。本协议包括其引语条款、正文、附件和附表构成双方对协议标的全部理解；任何与标的相关的书面或口头的、已签署或未签署的前期草案、协定、承诺、陈述、保证等均作废。）

3．保密条款

本协议自终止之日起的两年内，未经另一方书面事先同意，任何一方当事人不得将本协议的内容及其附件或者修订书披露给任何第三人，除非适用的法律另有规定。(Except as may be required by applicable law, neither party shall disclose to any third party the contents of the Agreement, the Exhibits or any amendments hereto or thereto for a period of two (2) years from the date of termination hereof without the prior written consent of the other party.)

uncertain　enforcement　equitable　the amount of　enrichment　upheld

At common law, a liquidated damages clause will not be enforced if its purpose is to punish the wrongdoer/party in breach rather than to compensate the injured party. One reason for this is that the (1) of the term would, in effect, require an (2) order of specific performance. However, courts sitting in equity will seek to achieve a fair result and will not enforce a term that will lead to the unjust (3) of the enforcing party.

In order for a liquidated damages clause to be (4), two conditions must be met. First, (5) the damages identified must roughly approximate the damages likely to fall upon the party seeking the benefit of the term. Second, the damages must be sufficiently (6) at the time the contract is made that such a clause will likely save both parties the future difficulty of estimating damages.

（1）有关潜在瑕疵，无论买方所提出的索赔时间早晚，卖方均不得拒绝。

（2）如果卖方已向甲方发出违约的书面通知，并且在90天内违约情况未能得到救济，卖方或者制造商可以终止本协议。

（3）若乙方破产（包括其他类似状况），本协议自甲方书面通知发出之日起即刻终止。

（4）协议的有效性、履行及其他与协议效力有关的所有事项均适用美国纽约州的法律，其他任何可能适用的冲突法、冲突规定或者冲突规则并不适用。

（1）Any failure or omission by Party A in performance of its obligation under this Agreement shall not be deemed a breach or create any liability for damages or other relief if it arises from acts of God, floods, fires, explosions, storms, earthquakes, war, terrorism, rebellion, insurrection, sabotage, or any order or action by any governmental agency, or causes of similar nature. If such failure or omission cannot be remedied within a reasonable period of time, the party awaiting performance shall have the right to terminate this Agreement.

（2）Notices required to be given by one party to another shall be deemed properly given if reduced to writing and personally delivered or transmitted by registered or certified post to the address below, postage prepaid, or by facsimile with confirmation receipt, and shall be effective upon receipt.

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(1) liquidated damages：约定违约金，预定违约赔偿金。当事人在订立合同时，可以预先估计一方当事人违约所可能造成的损失，在合同中规定违约方应支付的赔偿金的确定数额。Liquidated damages(also referred to as liquidated and ascertained damages) are damages whose amount the parties designate during the formation of a contract for the injured party to collect as compensation upon a specific breach(e.g., late performance).

(2) good title：有效的所有权，指可以被免除合理怀疑的所有权，可被通情达理的买主接受。该种所有权须未涉诉讼，无明显瑕疵或重大疑点。

(3) marketable title：可转让的产权，指在法律上和事实上无任何负担和瑕疵的产权，可以即时出售或抵押给他人。在产权所有人介绍产权状况后，任何智力正常和具有一般谨慎的买主都不会对这种财产权转让的有效性持合理的怀疑，从而同意签约。