法律文本中使用的模糊语词:
举例:
reasonable; adequate; average; apparently; approximately; due care; due process; incidental; nominal sum, etc.
I. stylistic features of commercial contracts
A commercial contract is unique in its style. Firstly, it has comparatively fixed and generally accepted
/execute/consideration/presents/save/prejudice, etc. d) old English/compounds– witnesseth /forthwith/ aforesaid/
hereby/whereof/ etc.
e) Borrowed words (Latin/French)—quorum(法定人数)/ ad hoc (专门的) / bona fide (真诚的) / de facto (事实
Another feature of a legally binding contract is that each party to the contract must promise to do or give something in order to bind the contract. And that promise is called consideration. Promises to pay money, render services and supply goods frequently serve as consideration in a contract.
Thirdly, typical patterns indicating general contractual clauses are popularly used for particular legal purposes.
To sum up, the format of a commercial contract displays such characteristics as “solemn”, “rigid”, and even “assiduously stilted”. “Solemn” is for maintaining the justice and dignity of the law, “rigid” is for its exactness and precision of diction and meaning, and “assiduously stilted” is for its strict and straight complex structure.
Generally speaking, legal English is characteristic of use of formal words & legal terms; use of ordinary words with particular meanings; use of old English and borrowed words, largely from Latin; use of special wording; use of pair words, and use of long-winded / complex sentences and typical patterns, etc.
上) / per se (自身) / pro bono (为了公益) / vice versa (反之亦然) /inter alia ( 特别 ).
f) Fixed expressions & patterns – for no other purposes/ including but not limited to(or without limit to)/ …or other similar or dissimilar causes/ … shall not operate
A third feature of a legally binding contract is that the parties to the contract must have the legal capacity to make and enter into a contract. In other words, the parties must be legally competent, and they must have the ability to understand the contract and its consequences.
Session One Course introduction
Introduction
A contract is a legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties. And a legally binding contract must have four features: 1) mutual consent, 2) consideration, 3) competent parties, and 4) a legal purpose.
In this course, we are going to study the following commercial contracts, which are most often used in international trade in goods, in services and in IPRrelated products, etc. They are: agency agreement; leasing agreement; contract for providing labour services abroad; contract for construction engineering projects; inviting & submitting tenders; and contract on technolof commercial contracts
(语篇特点: 汉,英两种法律的语言,语篇文体结构 大体相当,却具有高度程式化的特点: 首先以总 则规定法律事务主体,(从总则到条款,先宏观后 微观的语篇结构),一般权利和义务,然后具体的 分则规定情况下的法律权利和义务.了解法律 语篇结构的特点,有助于译者/读者更好理解文 本内容的语篇语境.)
g) Pair of words – fulfill or perform/construe and interpret/terms and conditions/rights and obligations/null and void/due and payable/by and between, etc.
format with the opening/preamble, main clauses, and concluding parts. Secondly, it usually uses capitalization for those words or wording being specifically defined or interpreted in the contract.
Some examples:
I. Words & expressions a) Formal words –assign (transfer)/ impose (enforce or effect)/
commence(begin)/ subsequent (after)/ prior ( before)/ provided that ( but), etc. more: deem; construe; terminate; constitute; subject to; liability; in respect of; etc. b) Legal terms –burden of proof(举证责任)/ damages(损失赔偿 金)/ solvency(清偿债务)/insolvency(资不抵债 )/ due diligence(审慎调查)/ negotiable instrument( 可流通的票据) / reasonable doubt(合理的怀疑), etc. c) ordinary words – premises
II. Linguistic features of legal English
Legal English refers to written English, including laws & regulations, rules, agreements, and awards, etc., the English language used by attorneys and lawyers when drawing up or drafting legal documents, contracts, agreements and articles of association.
Mutual consent refers to the mutual agreement on all the terms of a contract. Mutual consent exists when there is an offer and complete acceptance of that offer. A legally binding offer must be definite, must show genuine intent to enter into an agreement. The party that makes the offer is the offeror, and the party to whom the offer is made is the offeree. Acceptance takes place when the offeree unconditionally agrees to the offer made by the offeror. And, thus, a contract exists between the offeror and the offeree.