•Tranlation of Business Contract
一、商务合同概述
• A contract is an agreement, which legally binds the parties concerned.
•在由Steven H. Gifts编著的“Law Dictionary”中，contract被定义为“a promise, or a set of promises, for breach of which the law gives remedy, or the performance of the which the law in some way recognize as a duty.”
•合同是一种承诺，违反承诺可以得到法律救助，在某种意义上，法律将履行该承诺看作是一种补偿。综上可见，合同是平等主体之间设立的确定民事权利和义务的法律协议。
•合同英语属于庄重文体（the frozen style），是各种英语文体中正式程度最高的一种。
总体来说，这种正式性体现在内容的专业性、语言的严谨性和结构的完整性等方面。
合同种类
•正式合同Contract (P197)
•协议书Agreement
•确议书Confirmation
•备忘录Memorandum
•订单Order
•意向书Letter of intent
二、商务合同的构成部分
一.约首(the head)
1.合同名称Title
2. 前文（前言）Preamble
1) Date of signing
2) Signing parties
3) Each party’s authority 当事人的合法依据
4）Place of signing
5) Recitals or WHEREAS clause 定约缘由
二. 本文（Body)
①定义条款（Definition clause)
②基本条款（Basic conditions)
③一般条款（General terms and conditions)
a.合同有效期限（Duration)
b.终止(Termination)
c.不可抗力（Force Majeure)
d.合同的让与（Assignment)
e.仲裁（Arbitration)
f.适用法律（governing law)
g.诉讼管辖（Jurisdiction)
h.通知手续（Notice)
i.合同的修改（Amendment)
j.其他（Others)
三.约尾（the tail)
①结尾语包括合同的份数、使用的文字和效力等（Concluding sentence)
②签名（Signature)
③盖印（Seal)
三、Features of legal documents
1. common words with unusual meaning
•action诉讼alienation转让avoid取消counterpart有同等效力的副本
•Prejudice提案save除了vacation休庭期间limitation时效minor未成年人
•review审查案件，复审tort侵权
Eg.1. Thank you for your consideration.
•No consideration, no contract.合同无对价不成立。
Eg.2. The testator died without issue.立遗嘱人死亡时没有子嗣.
•The parties could not agree on the issue.
•The passport was issued by the Liverpool office.
2. Old English
To make the compound words by adding after, by, in, of, on, to, under, upon, or with after here, there, or where
•Hereafter: in this document and after this point 此后, 以后
•Hereby: in this way or by this letter以此, 特此, 由此
•Thereby: by that 按此, 借此, 从而, 由此
•Therefrom: from that从那里
Whereas Party A is willing to employ Party B and Party B agrees to do as Party A’s engineer in Beijing, it is hereby agrees as follows.
鉴于甲方愿聘请乙方,乙方同意应聘为甲方在北京的工程师,双方协议如下:
In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreement herein contained, the parties agree as follows.
双方考虑到在此提出的契约和协议, 同意如下条款.
3. Use the synonymous word with its relevant words
•Terms and conditions 条件null and void 无效free and clear of 无
•able and willing 能够并愿意any duties, obligations or liabilities所有责任
•applicable laws, regulations, decrees, directives, and rules 适用法律法规
•charges, fees, costs and expenses 各种费用any and all 全部
•covenants and agreements 合同，协议customs and usages 惯例
•import duty and tax 进口税捐keep secret and confidential保密
•licenses and permits 许可packing and wrapping expenses 包装费
•rights and interests 权益settle claims and debts 清理债务
•ships and vessels 船只sign and issue 签发
•support and maintenance 维护use and wont 习惯，惯例
1）This Agreement made and entered into by and between ABC Co. and XYZ Co.
ABC 公司和XYZ公司双方签订本协议。
2）All documents, letters, telegrams and telexes interchanged between both parties before the signing of the Contract shall become null and void automatically from the date on which the Contract comes into force.
双方在签约前交换的所有文件、书信、电报和电传，应从本合同生效之日开始自动失效。
4. Latinate words
•alibi—不在犯罪现场ad hoc –专门地de facto --- 事实上的
•bona fide ---真诚的alias--- 别名versus---对，诉