法律英语第九课 合同法

1、2022-5-7法律英语法律英语1Lesson Nine Contract Law2022-5-7法律英语法律英语2The web of the lawnMay May not not be quite be quite seamlessseamlessn法律之网可能并非结实无缝法律之网可能并非结实无缝nThey are They are not ironclad and unchangingnot ironclad and unchangingn法律并非打不破和不可改变。法律并非打不破和不可改变。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语3Contract Definition nA contract

2、 is basically an agreement between two or more people which creates an obligation to do, or not do, something. nThe agreement creates a legal relationship of rights and duties. nIf the agreement is broken, then the law provides certain remedies. 2022-5-7法律英语法律英语4Three FactorsnThere are three factors

3、 necessary to create a contract: n1) an offer, 2) acceptance, and 3) consideration. nOne party makes an offer, the second party must accept the offer and there must be consideration exchanged. Consideration has to be something of value.2022-5-7法律英语法律英语5Example of ContractsnEmployment contractsnServi

4、ce ContractsnBuilding ConstructionnInsurance ContractsnContract involving real propertynSale of Intangibles(stocks, bonds, patents, copyrights,etc)2022-5-7法律英语法律英语6Contract lawnContract law covers the legal implications of a contract. For instance, contract law determines what is and is not consider

5、ation, whether a contract was actually intended, if the parties making the contract were legally competent, whether there was fraud or duress involved, or how a contract is terminated. 2022-5-7法律英语法律英语7BackgroundnUniform Commercial CodenConsumer Protection StatutesnLabor LawnInsurance Law涉及合同问题涉及合同问

6、题2022-5-7法律英语法律英语8美国合同法美国合同法由法律保证执行由法律保证执行强制执行的限度强制执行的限度法律补救方法法律补救方法Expectation damages预期赔偿金预期赔偿金Agreed upon remedies补救协议补救协议Equitable relief衡平救济衡平救济2022-5-7法律英语法律英语9nrelief in the form of specific performance n特殊履行的救济方式特殊履行的救济方式nthe injunctionn禁令（临时或最终的采取或不采取某种行禁令（临时或最终的采取或不采取某种行为的命令）为的命令）nthe deve

7、lopment of so called maxims of equity lawn形成所谓的衡平法座右铭形成所谓的衡平法座右铭 Special characteristics of equity law：2022-5-7法律英语法律英语10nHowever, equitable relief regularly will lie only when the common law relief is inadequate. n不过，只有当不过，只有当普通法救济普通法救济不充分时，才不充分时，才适用适用衡平救济衡平救济。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语11nFor instance, speci

8、fic performance for the purchase of real property will be grantedbecause common law damages are deemed to be inadequate since they cannot compensate the buyer in view of the uniqueness attributed to real property. n例如，对例如，对购买不动产购买不动产提供提供特殊履行的救济特殊履行的救济，因为因为普通法的赔偿普通法的赔偿被认为被认为不充分不充分，由于不，由于不动产具有动产具有特殊性特

9、殊性，普通法的赔偿，普通法的赔偿无法补偿无法补偿买方买方。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语12n假如房屋的卖方于成交后出尔反尔了，那么假如房屋的卖方于成交后出尔反尔了，那么买方按普通法原则之规定得提出损害赔偿之买方按普通法原则之规定得提出损害赔偿之诉。但买方如要求强制卖方出售（即要求履诉。但买方如要求强制卖方出售（即要求履行），则买方则援引的是衡平法上的原则了。行），则买方则援引的是衡平法上的原则了。nSuppose that a vendor of house backs out on the deal. The vendee may sue for damages under common

10、-law principles, but if he wants a court to force the seller to sell (specific performance) he uses principles developed in equity.2022-5-7法律英语法律英语13“ordinary” common law relief of damages普通法规定的赔偿金救济普通法规定的赔偿金救济“extraordinary” equity remedy of specific performance衡平法规定的特定履行救济衡平法规定的特定履行救济2022-5-7法律英语法

11、律英语14 TEXTnContract an agreement between two or more persons.nNot merely a shared belief n不仅仅是共有的想法不仅仅是共有的想法nA common understanding as to somethingn而且是对某些未来将要进行的事项有而且是对某些未来将要进行的事项有共同共同的理解的理解2022-5-7法律英语法律英语15Contract nDocument nThe set of papers in which such agreement is set forth.n文件文件陈述契约的一系列文件。陈

12、述契约的一系列文件。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语16For lawyers nContract - an agreement that has legal effect. n合同是具有合同是具有法律效力法律效力的契约。的契约。nIt creates obligations for which some sort of legal enforcement will be available if performance is not forthcoming as promised. n它设立了它设立了当不按约履行当不按约履行时，便可由某种时，便可由某种法律强制手段法律强制手段保证实施的保证实

13、施的义务义务。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语17Three elements in a transactioncontractn1. The agreement-in-fact事实协议事实协议n2. The agreement-in-written书面协议书面协议n3. The set of rights and duties 一系列权利与义务一系列权利与义务2022-5-7法律英语法律英语18THE WAYS订立协议和执行协议的方法订立协议和执行协议的方法 The role of lawyers and judgesn1. In creating contractsn在在制定制定合同中的作

14、用；合同中的作用；n2.in deciding disputes that may arise with respect to their performancen在在裁决裁决履行合同时可能出现履行合同时可能出现争议争议时的作用；时的作用；n3.in fashioning appropriate remedies for their breachn在在形成形成对其违约的适当对其违约的适当补救补救时的作用时的作用2022-5-7法律英语法律英语19Property nA great of thing are susceptible “ownership”Tangible 有形的有形的 Intan

15、gible 无形的无形的2022-5-7法律英语法律英语20Ring bulldozerGone with the windThe Empire State Building2022-5-7法律英语法律英语21Rights n国家保护该国家保护该“所有人所有人”使用使用、享受享受乃乃至至耗费耗费该物的权利，将所有其他人该物的权利，将所有其他人排排除除在这种权利之外。在这种权利之外。Use Enjoy Consume Exclusion 2022-5-7法律英语法律英语22Real property n不动产不动产Land buildings动产动产personal property2022-5

16、-7法律英语法律英语23http:/ property:nall land, structures, firmly attached and integrated equipment, anything growing on the land, and all interests in the property.npersonal property (personalty) : nmovable assets (things, including animals) which are not real property, money or investments.2022-5-7法律英语法律英

17、语24Less tangible property不太有形的资产不太有形的资产nCopyrights 版权版权nPatents 专利权专利权nShares of corporate stock 公司股权公司股权nNegotiable instruments 票据权票据权2022-5-7法律英语法律英语25Any social thatRecognizes property rightsAlso address the question of how it should respond when someone violates those rights2022-5-7法律英语法律英语26nEv

18、en societies that do not permit private ownership of wealth to the degree that ours does are likely to recognize the personal rights of individuals to be free from certain kinds of conduct n即使是那些对财产私有权的许可没有达即使是那些对财产私有权的许可没有达到我们这种程序的到我们这种程序的社会社会，也会，也会承认承认个人个人的人身权利的人身权利不受某种行为的侵犯不受某种行为的侵犯。2022-5-7法律英语法

19、律英语27certain kinds of conductn给人造成身体伤害给人造成身体伤害n其他对个人自由或尊严的侵犯其他对个人自由或尊严的侵犯Infliction of physical injuryOther interferences with freedom or dignity2022-5-7法律英语法律英语28Criminal law vs. tort lawnCriminal law focuses in those violations of personal and property rights that society deems serious enough to b

20、e deterred by the threat of severe punishment for their commissionTort law considers what remedy should be made to the individuals so injured2022-5-7法律英语法律英语29Criminal lawtort lawoverlapTreason判国罪判国罪Tax evasion偷税罪偷税罪Slander诽谤诽谤2022-5-7法律英语法律英语30Ownership of propertynInclude the right to use and cons

21、ume the thing ownedn所有权包括对属于自己的物品所有权包括对属于自己的物品使用和耗费使用和耗费的权利的权利nbe more to the advantage of the owner to transfer the right of the ownership to some other person in exchange for something else of valuen有时所有者以所有权与其他人有时所有者以所有权与其他人交换交换有价值的东西有价值的东西可能可能更有利更有利。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语312022-5-7法律英语法律英语32nAgreement

22、s for exchange are the means by which some resources are assembled and put to productive use.n交换的契约是将一些资源交换的契约是将一些资源组合组合起来，使起来，使之得到之得到有效利用有效利用的手段。的手段。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语33nSome agreement for exchange call for the immediate and simultaneous exchange of money for goods and services. n有效交换契约要求有效交换契约要求现金与货

23、物、服务现金与货物、服务的的立即和同时交换立即和同时交换。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语34Exchange of significant size涉及到大额交易时涉及到大额交易时nBoth the planning and performance to be spread over a considerable period of timen交易的交易的计划计划和和履行履行都要都要经历相当长的经历相当长的时间时间。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语35The law of contractsnLegal mechanism for protecting the expectations th

24、at arise from the making of agreements for the future exchange of various types of performance.n合同法是保护合同法是保护预期预期的的法律机制法律机制，该，该预期预期产生于就未来交易各类产生于就未来交易各类履行履行而而制定的契制定的契约约。转让财产转让财产提供服务提供服务支付货币支付货币2022-5-7法律英语法律英语36nLegal problems do not always fit neatly into the pigeonholes that legal theorists have cre

25、ated.n法律问题法律问题不可能总是与法理学家所创不可能总是与法理学家所创立的立的分类分类完全相符。完全相符。nFrequently they raise issues involving more than one body of law.n法律问题往往涉及到法律问题往往涉及到不止一部法律不止一部法律。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语37“fraud” conduct欺诈行为欺诈行为Lease agreements between landlord and tenant Property lawContract lawA breach of contractA tort2022-5-7法律

26、英语法律英语38The web of the lawnMay May not not be quite be quite seamlessseamlessn法律之网可能并非结实无缝法律之网可能并非结实无缝nThey are They are not ironclad and unchangingnot ironclad and unchangingn法律并非打不破和不可改变。法律并非打不破和不可改变。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语39Source /authority法律渊源法律渊源 Primary source 首要法源首要法源Secondary source次要法源次要法源 以前的司法判

27、决以前的司法判决成文法成文法法令法令劝导性法源劝导性法源法学家的解释法学家的解释美国法学会的美国法学会的法律注释汇编法律注释汇编2022-5-7法律英语法律英语40首要法源首要法源2022-5-7法律英语法律英语41次要法源次要法源2022-5-7法律英语法律英语42What are Restatements of the Law法律注释汇编法律注释汇编nRestatements are secondary sources that seek to restate the legal rules that constitute the common law in a particular ar

28、ea. They are written by the American Law Institute (ALI), a prestigious legal organization composed of noted professors, judges and lawyers. The ALI has completed Restatements in 15 areas of law including Torts, Contracts, Property, Conflict of Laws, Foreign Relations Law, and Products Liability. 20

29、22-5-7法律英语法律英语43Contract lawnCommon law nJudge-made lawJudge-made lawn法官定法法官定法nRules distilled from a composite of Rules distilled from a composite of court decisions in prior cases. court decisions in prior cases. n从以前案件的各种法官判决意见中从以前案件的各种法官判决意见中抽取出来的规则抽取出来的规则2022-5-7法律英语法律英语44Technical jargon 专业术语专

30、业术语Full of strange wordsFamiliar words with unfamiliar or specialized meaningAssumpsit 口头约定口头约定Quantum meruit按合理价格给付按合理价格给付 Consideration对价对价 Offer要约要约2022-5-7法律英语法律英语45Judicial system of decision-making 司法决策体制司法决策体制nStare decisis 遵从前例遵从前例nadherence to past decisions (Precedents)nA prior decision wi

31、th facts sufficiently similar to the case “subjudice”, that the court feels obliged to follow it and to render a similar decision.n以前案例的事实与尚未判决的案件以前案例的事实与尚未判决的案件事实非常事实非常相似相似，法院认为有义务按照前例做出，法院认为有义务按照前例做出类似的类似的判决判决。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语46Doctrine of stare decisisWhere precedent merely requires that courts l

32、ook to previous decisions for guidance, stare decisis requires that a court follow their own decisions and the decisions of higher courts within the same jurisdiction.For example, in the U.S., a state trial court must allow its own decisions and the decisions of appellate courts in that state; an in

33、termediate appellate court must follow its own decisions and the decisions of the states highest appellate court. Federal courts of appeal must generally follow their own prior decisions and those of the U.S. States Supreme Court, but they are not bound by decisions of federal district courts or oth

34、er appellate courts. 2022-5-7法律英语法律英语47Terms and proper namesTwo types of judicial precedentsBinding precedent: Where the doctrine of stare decisis applies, precedent is binding and a courts options are limited. A court must harmonize the result in the present case with past decisions. Only after ex

35、plaining why previous cases are inapplicable may a court fashion new rules or modify existing ones. A court may never ignore or contradict binding precedent.Persuasive precedent: Where the doctrine of stare decisis is not applicable, as with decisions from other jurisdictions or lower courts in the

36、same jurisdiction, courts are free to follow previous decisions or ignore them. Although courts are not bound by such decisions, they remain persuasive because their reasoning can illuminate possible solutions to a problem.2022-5-7法律英语法律英语48Stare decisisnLatin for to stand by things decided. Stare d

37、ecisis is essentially the doctrine of precedent. Courts cite to stare decisis when an issue has been previously brought to the court and a ruling already issued. Generally, courts will adhere to the previous ruling, though this is not universally true. 2022-5-7法律英语法律英语492022-5-7法律英语法律英语50从两个方面证明以判例法

38、为主从两个方面证明以判例法为主要依据的法律制度的合法性要依据的法律制度的合法性n1. Offers a high degree of predictability of decision n提高了提高了判决的可预见性判决的可预见性程度程度n2. Puts a rein on the nature proclivity of judges to decide cases on the basis of prejudice, personal emotion, or other improper factors. n限制法官在案件判决时以限制法官在案件判决时以偏见、个人情偏见、个人情感或其他不恰当

39、因素感或其他不恰当因素为基础的为基础的自然癖好自然癖好。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语512022-5-7法律英语法律英语52The characteristic of a systemnWhich may sometimes be a virtue, sometimes a defect, of being static and conservative, generally oriented toward preservation of the status quo.n遵从前例的制度的特征是遵从前例的制度的特征是静止和守旧静止和守旧，总体上趋向于总体上趋向于保持现状保持现状，这有时是，这

40、有时是优点优点，有时是有时是缺点缺点。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语53n案例法的优点，灵活性和成长的能力，随着一件件新的案件告到法院，案例法的优点，灵活性和成长的能力，随着一件件新的案件告到法院，一个个新的判决也就补充起来。这样法律就能跟上时代的步伐并适应不一个个新的判决也就补充起来。这样法律就能跟上时代的步伐并适应不断变化的客观情况。案例法的害处，就是上述优点的反而。例如边沁曾断变化的客观情况。案例法的害处，就是上述优点的反而。例如边沁曾对事后立法原则加以指责并称判例制度为狗法，他说：对事后立法原则加以指责并称判例制度为狗法，他说：“是法官们在制是法官们在制度共同法，你知道他们是怎么样制

41、定的吗？就同一个人替他的那条狗立度共同法，你知道他们是怎么样制定的吗？就同一个人替他的那条狗立法一样，狗做了人不让做的事情，人们事先袖手旁观，然后在事发后揍法一样，狗做了人不让做的事情，人们事先袖手旁观，然后在事发后揍他。这是人替狗立法的方法，也是法官替你我立法的方式。他。这是人替狗立法的方法，也是法官替你我立法的方式。nThe advantage of the case law is the power of flexibility and growth. New decisions are constantly being added as new cases come before th

42、e courts. In this way the law tends to keep pace with the times and can adapt itself to changing circumstances. The drawbacks of case law in some cases merely the converse aspects of the advantages. For example, jeremy bentham criticised the principle of the law following the event dogs law system,

43、it is, he says,the judges that make the common law , do you know how they make it ?just as a man makes laws for his dog, when your dog does something you want to break him of , you wait till he does it and then beat him , this is the way you make laws for your dog, this is the way the judge makes la

44、ws for you.2022-5-7法律英语法律英语54n案例法受的另一个指责，则是先例的的拘束力限制了审判上的裁量，有案例法受的另一个指责，则是先例的的拘束力限制了审判上的裁量，有人还说，法官们是在替自己铸造脚镣。这一点可以用共同受雇说来加以人还说，法官们是在替自己铸造脚镣。这一点可以用共同受雇说来加以说明，此说是由上议院在普里斯特告福尔一案中所规定的（说明，此说是由上议院在普里斯特告福尔一案中所规定的（1837），），它说，如果两人在受雇范围内行事时，其中一人被同事伤害了，那么他它说，如果两人在受雇范围内行事时，其中一人被同事伤害了，那么他俩的雇主对这一疏忽不代为负责。在工业大发展时期运

45、用这一规则，是俩的雇主对这一疏忽不代为负责。在工业大发展时期运用这一规则，是极不公道的。但是这条规则在（极不公道的。但是这条规则在（1948年人身伤害法律改良法）予以废年人身伤害法律改良法）予以废除前，却拘束了法官百多年之久。这其间，法官能做的，只是限制这一除前，却拘束了法官百多年之久。这其间，法官能做的，只是限制这一规则的运用。规则的运用。nA further criticism is that the binding force of precedent limits judicial discretion. It has been said that judges are engaged

46、 in forging fetters for their own feet. This can beillustrated by the doctrine of common employment. Which was laid down by the house of lords in Priestley v.Fowler(1837). This doctrine said that if a employee was injured by a fellow employee whilst both were acting within the scope of their employm

47、ent, their employer was not liable vicariously for the negligence.the rule operated in a most unjust fasion during the period of great industrial development, but it continued to bind judges for over a century until it was finally abolished by the Law Reform(Personal Injuries)Act,1948.all the judges

48、 could do in the meantime was to limit its scope. 2022-5-7法律英语法律英语55Blind adherence nWhen a common law judge concludes that blind adherence to precedent would produce an unjust result in the case presented for decision.n普通法法官普通法法官盲目坚持判例盲目坚持判例，也会导致，也会导致对当前案例判决的对当前案例判决的不公正结果不公正结果。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语56避免的

49、方法：避免的方法：nA precedent is considered to be “binding” on a court only if it was decided by that same court or by an appellate court of higher rank in the same jurisdiction.n同一个管辖区的同一个管辖区的相同法院相同法院或其或其上级巡回上级巡回法院法院作出的先例判决才有作出的先例判决才有约束力约束力。nOther precedents are be “ persuasive”.Other precedents are be “ p

50、ersuasive”.n其他判例只具有劝导性。其他判例只具有劝导性。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语57A precedent nIf a precedent of the latter type is in fact unpersuasive, the judge is free to disregard it. n如果后一种类型的判例实际上如果后一种类型的判例实际上没有劝导性没有劝导性，法官可以法官可以忽视该判例忽视该判例。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语58nIf the precedent is not merely persuasive, but binding, it cannot

51、 simply be ignored. It may, however, be avoided. n如果判例如果判例不仅有劝导性不仅有劝导性而且有而且有约束力约束力，那么该判例那么该判例不能简单地被忽视不能简单地被忽视，但却可，但却可以以被回避被回避。A precedent 2022-5-7法律英语法律英语59nIf the facts of the present case do not include a fact that appears to have been necessary (“material”) to the earlier decision, the court may

52、“distinguish” the precedent, render a different decision. n如果以前判决如果以前判决不包含不包含对当前案例有实质对当前案例有实质必要影响的必要影响的事实事实，那么法院可以，那么法院可以“区别区别”前例前例，提出不同的判决提出不同的判决。A precedent 2022-5-7法律英语法律英语60nIf the earlier precedent is indeed binding, but is difficult or impossible to distinguish, there is one other way to avoid

53、 its effect.n如果比较早的判例如果比较早的判例确实有约束力确实有约束力，但是，但是难以或无法区别难以或无法区别，有一个其他方法，有一个其他方法避免避免其效力其效力。A precedent 2022-5-7法律英语法律英语61nIf the court of decision is the one that created the precedent (or is a higher court), it can simply “overrule” the early decision.n如果判决的法院与作出先例的法院相同，如果判决的法院与作出先例的法院相同，或者比作出先例的法院等级高

54、，它可以或者比作出先例的法院等级高，它可以“推翻推翻” 以前的判决。以前的判决。A precedent 2022-5-7法律英语法律英语622022-5-7法律英语法律英语63Overruling relatively drastic actionnIs usually reserved for instances in which the court feels that the rule established by the earlier precedent was ill conceived at the outset or it has been outmoded by the la

55、ter developments.n推翻前例是个推翻前例是个比较激烈的行为比较激烈的行为，一般在，一般在法院觉得以前的判例一开始就法院觉得以前的判例一开始就设计错误设计错误时或者随着以后的发展该判例时或者随着以后的发展该判例不合时宜不合时宜时才采用。时才采用。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语64Contract lawnHistorically, as common law普通法普通法nRather than statute 制定法制定法nException : “statute of frauds”n“欺诈条例欺诈条例”是个例外是个例外Requires certain contracts t

56、o be evidenced by a signed writing 该条例要求某些合同是该条例要求某些合同是书面合同书面合同。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语65Statute of fraudsnLaw in every state which requires that certain documents be in writing, such as real property titles and transfers (conveyances), leases for more than a year, wills and some types of contracts. nThe o

57、riginal statute was enacted in England in 1677 to prevent fraudulent title claims.2022-5-7法律英语法律英语66Statute of fraudsnThe statute of frauds has itself become so overlaid by court decisions that it has more of quality of common law than of a modern statute.n该欺诈条例本身已该欺诈条例本身已添加了添加了如此多的如此多的法法官判决意见官判决意见，

58、以至于它具有的，以至于它具有的普通法普通法的品质的品质已经超过其已经超过其现代制定法现代制定法的品质。的品质。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语67Contract law nEssentially a common law system, except be affected by a remarkable modern statute, the Uniform Commercial Code. n除非受到著名的现代制定法除非受到著名的现代制定法统一商法典统一商法典的影响，合的影响，合同法至今还保留着同法至今还保留着普通法体普通法体系。系。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语68nWhen a c

59、ourt decided a case governed by a statute, its reasoning differs from that used when common law principles are applied.n当法院依照当法院依照制定法制定法判案时，法院的推论判案时，法院的推论与采用与采用普通法普通法原则时是不同的。原则时是不同的。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语69Statute nAny court , even the highest court of the jurisdiction, is bound to follow the provisions o

60、f a valid statute that apply to the dispute before it. n所有法院甚至最高法院都要所有法院甚至最高法院都要依据依据有效的有效的制定法条款制定法条款规定来处理提交到它面前的规定来处理提交到它面前的争议争议。2022-5-7法律英语法律英语70Fundamental political tenet nThe legislature has ultimate lawmaking power so long as its acts within the bounds of its constitutional authority. n社会基本政治原