英文合同的要点

第一篇：英文合同的要点

英文合同的要点

英文合同的要点

一份完整的英文合约通常可以分为标题、序文、主文条款及结尾辞四大部份。「标题」在开宗明义地显示合约的性质；「序文」是用最简单的说明，大略介绍合约订立的背景；「主文条款」里包括依各种合约性质的不同而约定的特殊条款，以及不论何种类型合约都会出现的一般条款；最后「结尾辞」则是当事人签名前的一段文字，为整份合约画下句点。以下分别就此四部份为说明。

一、合约的标题

英文合约和中文合约都一样，标题并不是一定要有的，因为当事人间的法律关系是用合约内容的各个条款来判断，标题基本上不会产生任何影响。但为方便辨识的考量，合约撰写人通常都会依照合约性质，在合约首页的最上方给予一个适当的标题，例如“Share Purchase Agreement”（股份收购合约）、“Joint Venture Agreement”（合资合约）、“Loan Agreement”（贷款合约）、“Distribution Agreement”（经销合约）、“License Agreement”（授权合约）等等。至于标题中可能使用的 “agreement”、“contract”、“letter”、“memorandum”、“understanding” 等各式各样的名称，有哪些意义相同，哪些在法律上可能有不同的拘束力，则请参阅第壹编之壹「英文合约的名称」一节，不再赘述。

二、合约的序文

英文合约在标题之后，各式各样的条款出现之前，通常会先有一段「序文」，一般而言不会占去太多的篇幅，目的在很简略地介绍合约规范内容之人、事、时、地、物等背景，让阅读合约的人在接触冗长复杂的主文前，先有一个基础的认识与心理准备。

详细来说，序文通常又分作以下两个段落：第一部份文字叫做 “commencement”，也就是合约的「开场白」，内容在说明合约当事人姓名或名称、当事人的国籍与住所或主营业所、订约日期等等。

This Share Purchase Agreement is made on the 3rd day of May, 1991 by and between&:

(1)ENTERPRISES HOJAEC SA, a company organized and existing& under the laws of France and having its registered office& at 89 rue Albert Thomas, 75010 Paris and

(2)Mark Gilbert Handerson, an individual with nationality of the United States of America(Passport No.12345678), residing at 2199 Palm Street, Pleasant Hill, California 94509, USA.本股份收购契约订立于公元一九九一年五月三日，双方当事人为：

(1)依法国法律组织设立的ENTERPRISES HOJAEC SA公司，注册所在地为48 rue Albert Thomas, 75010 Paris，与

(2)美国籍的Mark Gilbert Handerson(护照号码12345678)，居住于2199 Palm Street, Pleasant Hill, California 94509, USA。

& by and between

要表示合约是由哪些当事人所订定，英文中通常会说“This Agreement is made by and

between...”，用“by”来表示合约「被谁订定」，“between”来表示「谁与谁之间的合意」。如果当事人不只两个，也可以用“by and among”来代替。

& organized and existing

合约开场白里要说明当事人的国籍，在自然人的情况下可以用“a national of...”或“an individual with the nationality of...”来表示，如果是法人组织多半使用“organized and existing under the laws of...”这样的字眼，其中“organized”也可以用“incorporated”来代替。

& registered office

“registered office”是指一个公司的「注册所在地」，它和“principal office”，即「主营业所」并不一定位于同一个地方。举例来说，现在台湾很多本土企业基于税务与方便性的考量，流行在海外几个特定的地方，例如英属维京群岛（British Virgin Islands;简称“BVI”）成立所谓的「纸上公司」（“paper company”），此时这个公司必须在BVI「当地」设有一个registered office，但是公司的principal office则可能不在BVI，而位于台湾本土，因为公司一切的业务经营实际上都在台湾进行。

第二部份叫做“Recitals”或“Preambles”，是由数个以“Whereas”字样开头的句子所组合而成（这些句子俗称为“Whereas Clauses”。“Whereas”的本义是“When in fact”、“considering that”、或“that being the case”的意思，所以“Whereas Clauses”就表示当事人乃是在本于对这些事实（例如订约的目的、背景来由等）的共同认识，订立此合约。以下是一个经销契约（Distribution Agreement）的Whereas Clauses，很简单明了地叙述制造商与经销商双方合作的意愿。

Whereas, Manufacturer is engaged in the manufacture and sale of the Products;

Whereas, Manufacturer is desirous of selling the Products in the Territory;

Whereas, Distributor is engaged in the importation and distribution of the related products of the Products in the Territory;and

Whereas, Distributor is desirous of becoming a distributor of the Products in the Territory.&Now Therefore, the parties hereto agree as follows:

(*“Manufacturer”, “Products”, “Territory”, and “Distributor” are all to be defined in other parts of the contract.)

制造人乃从事本商品制造之公司。

制造人希望在经销区域进行本商品之销售。

销售人乃在经销区域从事与本商品相关商品进口与销售之公司。

销售人希望能在经销区域代销本商品。

基于以上之认识，双方当事人遂就下列各事项达成协议：

（*文中提到的「制造人」、「本商品」、「经销区域」及「经销商」都应该在合约的其它部份加以定义。）请参照本书第贰编之伍「定义条款」。

& Now Therefore, the parties hereto agree as follows:

紧接在一串whereas clauses之后，会出现类似上例中的“Now Therefore, the parties hereto agree as follows:”这样一句话，目的在提醒阅读合约的人，真正规范订约当事人权利义务关系的条款在这句话之后就要开始了，也就是说，这句话（一般称为“operative part”）是序文与主文之间的桥梁，在此之前为订约背景事实的叙述，在此之后则为关于交易关系的实体约定。

实务上常见者，当事人签署一份合约之后，因为对同一交易事件还有后续的约定未及于该合约记载清楚，于是再另外作成第二份合约，作为先前合约的补充条款（supplemental clauses）。在这种情况下订立的第二份合约中，就会在Whereas Clauses 说明其缔约的来由与补充的性质。例如：

WHEREAS, this Agreement is supplemental to an agreement dated 5 December 1989 between the parties to this Agreement(“the Principal Agreement”)under which the Purchaser agreed to buy certain assets of the Vendor for an aggregate sum of ￡3 million.本合约是为补充双方当事人前于公元****年十二月五日业已缔结之合约（以下称「主合约」）所订立，买方于主合约中同意向卖方购买总价值三百万英镑的资产。

英文合约的传统用语

英文合约里包含大量古老的制式用语，成为初次接触者的困难之一，已如前述。本节尝试在进入各种一般性主文条款的介绍之前，将最常出现的这些传统字眼依理解之难易程度分成两类做说明及举例，等于是一个准备工作，希望尽可能降低它们对读者阅读的阻碍，让读者的注意力能及早集中在合约的实体权利义务关系规范上，而不再被这些传统的语句所困扰，以免减缓认识英文合约的进度。

第一类：“here”＋介系词

第一类以“here”开头，后面再加上一个介系词的传统用字，在英文合约里经常可以看到，大概包括“hereunder”、“hereto”、“hereby”、“hereof”、“herein”等等这几个字。依照作者的看法，这是比较容易处理的一类，因为只要读者记住一个简单的原则：「“here”＋介系词 = 介系词＋“this agreement”」，就几乎可以解读所有的第一类用语了。以下来详细看看这个原则的运用情形。（注意：“hereinafter”在定义条款中用来表示「以下简称...」的意思，虽然也用“here”为前缀，但与这里所说的传统用语无关，详见第贰编之伍「定义条款」。）

--“hereunder” = “under this agreement”

“hereunder”用“under this agreement”代替后，就很清楚地可以了解是「在本合约内」、「依据本合约」的意思。常和这个字结合的概念有如下几个例子：

举例 解读后等于 中文翻译

obligations obligations under this 本合约内的hereunder agreement 义务

rights granted rights granted under this 依本合约所

hereunder agreement 赋予的权利

payment due payment due under 依本合约应

hereunder this agreement 付的价款

notice required notice required to be 依本合约所

to be given given under this 应给予的通知

hereunder agreement

payment amount “due ”

“due ”是「债务到期」的意思，详见第贰编之柒「交易条件」

notice

详见第贰编之拾伍「杂项条款」中「通知条款」。

--“hereto” = “to this agreement”

因为英文文法里对介系词“to”有某些一定的用法（例如动词“attach”后面接受词时，就要用介系词“to”），所以这个字最常出现在英文合约里的状况，就是和「当事人」以及「附件」两个概念相结合：

举例： 解读后等于： 中文翻译：

both parties hereto both parties to this agreement 本合约之当事人双方

items specified in Attachment & I hereto items specified in Attachment I to this agreement 本合约之附件I所列之各项

& Attachment

详见第贰编之拾陆「合约的附件」。

--“hereby” = “by this agreement”

“hereby”中文大概可以说是「在此」、「依此」的意思，表示当事人借着这个合约，要宣示某种具有法律上效力的「意思表示」，例如保证、同意、放弃权利等等。

举例： 解读后等于： 中文翻译：

The Company hereby covenants and warrants & that...By this agreement the Company covenants and warrants that...公司在此保证...Both parties hereby agree that...By this agreement both parties agree that...双方当事人在此同意...The Seller hereby waives & the right of...By this agreement the Seller waives the right of...卖方在此放弃...的权利

& covenants and warrants

详见第贰编之捌「保证条款与承诺条款」。

& waive

详见第贰编之拾伍「杂项条款」中的「弃权解释限制条款」。

--“hereof” = “of this agreement”;“herein” = “in this agreement”

“hereof”和“herein”与前面介绍过的“hereunder”、“hereto”以及“hereby”比较起来，可能的用法与场合较广泛，所连接的概念也比较没有固定性，同时在很多情况下“hereof”和“herein”相互代换使用，意思上并不会有很大的差别。由于“of”和“in”是比较普通易懂的介系词，只要读者继续掌

握前面一贯的原则，应该不会有什么理解上的困难。

举例： 解读后等于： 中文翻译：

to file a suit in the court agreed to& herein/ to file a suit in the court agreed to in this agreement 向当事人于本合约中合意管辖的法院提起诉讼

to follow the terms and conditions & herein /to follow the terms and conditions in this agreement 遵守本合约所规定的条件

to take effect on the date hereof/ to take effect on the date of this agreement 于本合约之日期生效

the headings of the sections hereof /the headings of the sections of this agreement 本合约各条款之标题

& the court agreed to

详见第贰编之拾伍「杂项条款」中的「合意管辖」条款。

& terms and conditions

详见第贰编之柒「交易条件」。

第二篇：房屋租赁合同要点(英文)

4.2 Escalation of 10% becomes from the 1st April 2016 4．3 Rental paid monthly in advance on the 1st business day of each month 6.1 Deposit of N$ 60,000,00 保证金（押金）60，000.00 6.3.2 押金在租赁合同到期后的60天内退还至租户。

7.4 It is required to a surcharge of N$ 500.00 if payments of rentals after 7th day of the month 每月迟交房租7天内需多交500 10.1 lessee shall not sublet the premises or portion of premise 租户不可转租房屋或分租房屋。11.2 Lease fail to take occupation of the premise on the date upon which premises are made available, the lessor /agent without incurring any liability towards cancel the agreement without notice, whereupon, the lessee shall forfeit the Deposit paid by him while remaining liable for any losses or rental or other losses sustained by the lessor /agent 租户在房屋租赁期内未使用该房屋时，房屋所有人或中介可在不承担任何责任的情况下取消协议，届时，租户可获得押金，但同时要对房屋任何损失和房屋租金负责。12.4 租户在租赁期内自费保持给排水管道通畅，地面平整清洁，房屋物品整洁干净。12.5户主或中介可在合理时间随时视察房屋。

12.6租户若没能保持房屋状况良好，户主可随时根据此协议授权修补，费用由租户承担。12.7租赁结束后，租户需保持房屋和房屋内所有物品完好，损耗和折旧除外。14.1 租户对房屋改造后的所有权将归属户主。

第三篇：英文合同

美国资深律师经验：二十一世纪写好合同的五十招（英汉对照）作者：James.Martin 来源： 梅世杰的日志美国资深律师经验：二十一世纪写好合同的五十招（英汉对照）

作者：James.Martin

FIFTY TIPS FOR WRITING THE 21ST CENTURY CONTRACT THAT STAYS OUT OF COURT

二十一世纪写好合同的五十招

作者：James.Martin

译者：胡清平

Published in The Florida Bar Journal, Nov.2000

（本文于2000年11月发表于美国佛罗里达州的律师杂志上）

Note: This article is for background purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.作者注：本文仅供参考，并不旨在提供法律意见

译者注：翻译本文并未得到原作者同意，故译文仅供学习和研究使用.------------------Welcome to the 21st Century.Where practicing law requires us to don the garb of computers and the Internet.And where litigation is as costly as ever.Lawyer bills running $10,000 a month are not unusual in a hotly contested breach of contract lawsuit.With every word, phrase and sentence carrying the potential for winning or losing, the stakes are high.Simple logic, therefore, directs us to cautious and thoughtful drafting.新世纪的到来，要求我们在法律实践中应该多用电脑和互联网，不过，诉讼成本还是那么地高，面对日益竞争激烈的违约诉讼，律师每月开出1万美元的账单也是常有的事。合同中的每一个字，每一个词，每一句话，都意味着潜在的输或赢，换句话说，押在这上面下的赌注也很大，所以，在起草合同时要把握两条原则：小心谨慎和深思熟虑。

Drafting contracts is actually one of the simple pleasures of practicing law.Just 3 years ago at this Convention I presented 50 tips for contract writing.This article updates those tips in the context of our new tools and abilities.Following these tips could result in your writing 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 out of court.然而，起草合同的确又是法律实践中一件有意思的事儿。大约三年前，也是在这样一个会议上，我提出了合同起草的50招。本文在那些招数的基础上，结合一些新的工具和技能，推出了下面这个新版本,但愿它们能帮助你起草无可挑剔的合同，让你的客户免受诉讼的困扰。

These tips apply to writing all kinds of agreements: office leases, real estate contracts, sales agreements, employment contracts, equipment leases, prenuptial agreements.They even apply to stipulations and settlements in litigation, where you want an 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.这些招数适用于各种合同，比如，办公租赁合同、不动产合同、买卖合同、劳动合同、设备租赁合同、婚前协议。同样，如果你不想让你在诉讼中所起草的和解条款与协议再起争议的话，也可以参考一下这些招数。另外，通过了解这些招数，你就会明白，起草合同，清晰、简明是多么地重要。本文的附录提供了一些简单的法律文书范本-----这将有助于你理解这些招数。

Before You Write the First Word

第一部分：在动笔之前

1.Ask your client to list the deal points.This can be in the form of a list, outline or narration.Doing this will help the client focus on the terms of the agreement.1.要求你的客户列出合同交易的要点，也可以说是合同的清单、目录或概述。这一招首先帮助你的客户弄清合同的重点所在。

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 otherwise consider.2.让你的客户提供一些假设可能发生的情况。好的合同不仅能够预见到许多可能发生的情况，而且还能清楚地描述出发生这些情况后合同双方的立场。和客户聊这些情况将有助于你发现一些你可能没有考虑到的问题。

3.Ask your client for a similar contract.Frequently, clients have had similar transactions in the past or they have access to contracts for similar transactions.3.请求你的客户提供类似的合同。通常情况下，客户都保留着过去的交易记录或者是类似合同。

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 negotiated with another lawyer.Just remember to find and replace the old client's name.Starting with an existing form saves time and avoids the errors of typing.Here are some Web sites where you can find forms:

http:// 5.Obtain forms in books or CD-ROM.Typical forms of contracts can be found in form books, such as West's Legal Forms(a nationwide set)and Florida Jur Forms, as well as in treatises and Florida Bar CLE publications.These can be used as the starting point for drafting the contract 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.从书中或者是光盘上获取合同范本。典型的合同范本在一些范例书中都可能找到：比如,西方法律文书（全国版）佛罗里达州文书期刊，另外，在有些论文和佛罗里达州律师协会的法律继续教育出版物中也可以找到一些。起草合同时，你可以把这些范本当做原始资料，利用其中某些典型的条款和措词。更为方便的是，许多论文和书中的合同范本都有电子文本储存在磁盘或光盘中。

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 worded letter of intent is useful at such times.Just be sure that the letter of intent clearly states that it is not a contract, but that it is merely an outline of possible terms for discussion purposes.See Appendix C.6.如果没有特别申明，不要让你的客户在意向书上签字。有时候，在合同未准备好之前，客户为了表示诚意，往往急于签署某些东西，当然，在这种情况下，如果客户急于签署的是有特别申明的意向书，这也是可以的，但一定要注明：本意向书并非合同，只是双方为了更好地沟通协商，而拟定的对未来条款的概述。类似意向书的范例见附录C。

Writing that First Word

第二部分：开始起草合同

7.Start with a simple, generic contract form.The form in Appendix A is such a form.It provides a solid starting point for the structure of the contract.Like a house, a contract must have a good, solid foundation.7.从简单、典型的合同入手。附录A就是一个简单、典型的合同，它提供了一个合同的基本支架。像房子一样，一个合同必须有一个牢固的根基。

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 and last name, and middle initials if available, and other identifying information, if appropriate, such as Jr., M.D., etc.For corporations, check with the Secretary of State where incorporated.8.在合同的第一段要写清楚双方的名称。，这是个简单而又不得不引起重视的问题。如果是个人，要写清姓和名,中间有大写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，为避免弄错，写名称时可以到公司注册地的相应机构去核对一下。

9.Identify 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.”

9.确定合同双方的别称（简称）。为便于阅读，一般要在合同的第一段为双方弄一个别称，如：将詹姆士.马丁简写为“马丁”。

10.Be careful when using legal terms for nicknames.Do not use “Contractor” as a nickname unless that party is legally a contractor.Do not use “Agent” unless you intend for that party to be an agent, and if you do, then you better specify the scope of authority and other agency issues to avoid future disagreements.10.使用法定术语作为双方当事人的别称时，要小心。除非一方当事人在法定上就是承包人，否则不要将“承包人”作为其别称。同样，除非你想让一方当事人成为法定上的代理人，否则不要称其为“代理人”，如果坚持要用，最好明确一下代理范围并找到其他可以避免将来争执的方案。

11.Include a blank for the date in the first paragraph.Putting the date in the first paragraph makes it easy to find after the contract is signed.It also makes it easy to describe the contract in other documents in a precise way, such as the “December 20, 2000, Contract for Sale of Real Estate.”

11.在合同的第一段要为书写签约时间留下空格。把签约时间放在第一段，当合同签署后，你就能够很容易地找到它，而且，这样做还可以给你在其他相关文件中准确地描述这个合同提供帮助，范例如：不动产买卖合同，订立于2000年12月20日

12.Include 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 contract, etc.The first 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.书写引述语。引述语是指那些放在合同主体前面的“鉴于”条款。书写此类条款的目的是为了让读者（通常指合同双方，法官，陪审团）很快地了解到合同的主要内容是什么，合同双方是谁，以及他们为什么签订合同，等等。当然，合同主体的第一段也可以加上引述语并陈述其是真实准确的，如果这样做了，合同双方将来就不会争执：引述语作为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 write them all at once;you can write them as you think of them.Try to group related concepts in 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.按逻辑顺序列出合同段落的标题词.合同的段落是按一定的逻辑顺序组织起来的，当然，你并不需要一下子列出所有段落的标题词，想到多少就写多少，不过，这些标题词要力求总结出每个段落或相关段落的内容。比如：撰写劳动合同时列出的标题词就像下面这些：

引述语

聘用

职责

期限

赔偿

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 agree to do or not do paragraph by paragraph.14.在撰写每一段时要注意内容集中，不要东拉西扯，是的，这很简单，你可能上小学时就学过，但我还是要提醒你，要集中火力，一段一段地分别说明合同双方同意做什么，不同意做什么。

15.Keep a pad at hand to remember clauses to add.It is normal to think of additional clauses, wording and issues while writing a contract.Jot these down on a pad as you 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.放一个便笺簿在手边，以便记下需要添加的条款。在书写合同的同时，你可能随时会想到一些需要添加条款、措词和问题，要尽快记在便笺簿上，因为他们太容易忘了。另外，你最好将客户列出的要点和一些类似的合同范本也放在眼前，以便在书写过程中随时查对。

16.Repeat yourself only when repetition is necessary to improve clarity.Ambiguity is created 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 to clarify a difficult concept or formula, be sure that all possible meanings are considered and that the example is accurate and consistent with the concept as worded.16.除非是为了更清晰地说明问题，否则不要在合同中重复陈述某个内容。将一个事实来回地说很容易让人模棱两可。如果你将一个概念重复地解释，那理解起来就更有困难。另外，如果你想通过一个例子来阐明一个难以理解的概念或规则时，一定要考虑到其所有的含义、这个例子的准确性以及它和概念的相符性。

What to Watch Out for When Writing

第三部分：撰写时的注意事项

17.Title it “Contract.” Do not leave this one to chance.If your client wants a contract, call it a contract.A judge now sitting on the federal bench once ruled that a document entitled “Proposal” was not a contract even 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 word “Contract” in the title.17.标题上注明“合同”两字。不要为碰运气而忽略这个。如果你的客户需要合同，就要注明是合同。一个仍在联邦法院里任职的法官就曾经裁定：有双方签字，但标有“建议书”的文件并非合同。这给我们的教训就是，你怎么想，就应该怎么说。如果你想让你的文件成为具有法律效力的合同，就要在标题中注明“合同”字样。

18.Write in short sentences.Short sentences are easier to understand than long ones.18.写短句子，因为短句子比长句子让人更容易理解。

19.Write in active tense, rather than passive.Active tense sentences are shorter and use words more efficiently, 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 Seller.”

19.用主动语态而不用被动语态。相对而言，主动语态的句子更简短，措词更精练，表达更明白。还是让我们来来看一个例子吧，主动语态的句子：卖方将把此物卖给买方;被动语态的句子：此物将被卖方卖给买方。

20.Don't use the word “biweekly.” It has two meanings: twice a week and every other week.The same applies to “bimonthly.” Instead, write “every other week” or “twice a week.” 20.不要用“双周”之类的词，因为这有可能产生歧义----是两周还是每隔一周？类似的词还有“双月”,所以最好这样写:“两周”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 like “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 each noun.If you intend it to apply to just one noun, place that one noun at the end of the list and the modifier directly in front of it.21.不要说“活动着的白蚁和有机体”之类的话，为了避免模棱两可，最好这样写：“活动着的白蚁和活动着的有机体”或是“白蚁和活动着的有机体”。当一组名词（如“白蚁和有机体”）前有一个修饰语（如“活动着的”）时，你一定要弄清楚这个修饰语是修饰两个名词还是仅仅修饰第一个名词。如果是修饰两个词，可以用排比的手法分别在这两个词之前加上修饰语，如果你只想修饰一个名词，那么你就应该把这个词放在这组词的最后，然后在它的前面加上修饰语。

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 grantee, licensor and licensee, party A and party B.This is where you can use your creativity to come up with a different nickname for a party, as long as you use it consistently throughout the contract.22.不要说“出租人”和“承租人”。这对一个租赁合同来说是些不好的别称，因为他们容易被颠倒或者出现打印错误。可以用“房东”和“房客”来代替他们。同样，在合同中也不要说留置权人和留置人，抵押权人和抵押人，保证人和被保证人，许可人和被许可人，当事人A和当事人B......到底怎么说，这就要看你驾驭语言的能力了，不过，要把握的一条原则，即在整个合同中，对合同一方只能用一个别称。

23.Watch out when using “herein.” Does “wherever used herein” mean anywhere in the contract or anywhere in the paragraph? Clarify this ambiguity if it matters.23.使用术语“本文（herein，也可译为”“在这里”）时要当心。为了避免含糊不清，使用“本文”时最好特别申明一下“本文”是指整个合同，还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.写数目时要文字和阿拉伯数字并用，如：拾（10）。这将减少一些不经意的错误。

25.When you write “including” consider adding “but not limited to.” Unless you intend the list to be all-inclusive, you had better clarify your intent that it is merely an example.25.如果你想用“包括”这个词，就要考虑在其后加上“但不限于.....”的分句。除非你能够列出所有被包括的项，否则最好用“但不限于....”的分句，来说明你只是想举个例子。

26.Don't rely on the rules of grammar.The rules of grammar that you learned in school are 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.Choosing the right words and placing them in the right place makes the writing clear without punctuation.26.不要依赖于语法规则。那些你在学校里得到的语法规则并不是放之四海而皆准的东西，因为有权力来解释此合同的法官或陪审团成员学的语法规则可能和你学的不一样，但不管学的是什么规则，撰写合同都要遵循一个基本原则：简洁、明确。检测你写的东西是否达到这个要求有个好办法，那就是去掉所有的句号和逗号，然后去读它。在没有标点符号的情况下，选择正确的词语放在正确的位置上，这将使你写出来的东西更简明，更流畅。

27.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 is clear, direct and precise.Therefore, use common words and common meanings.Write for the common man and the common woman.27.不要创造词语。合同文书不是创造性的作品，也就不能因为意思的细微差别而引起思考或争论。合同文书应该是清晰、直接而准确的。因此，要使用普通的词语,表达普通的意思，为普通人撰写合同。

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” and “items.” Maintaining consistency is more important than avoiding repetition.Don't worry about putting the reader to sleep;worry about the opposing lawyer a year from now hunting for ambiguities to get your contract into court.28.用词一致。在一份销售合同中，如果你想用“货物”来指整个合同的标的物，就不要时而称它们为“货物”，时而又改称它

们为“产品”。保持用词一致性比避免重复更加重要。不要担心这会让读者打瞌睡；你应该提防的是对方律师会因为含糊不清的合同而将你告上法庭。

29.Be consistent in grammar and punctuation.The rules of grammar and punctuation you learned 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 marks, whether you place commas after years and states, and similar variations in style.29.在文法和标点符号上保持一致。你可能学过许多不同类的文法和标点符号规则，但在使用它们时最好保持一致。要特别注意句末的引号、时间和地点之后的逗号以及文风的相似性。

30.Consider including choice of law, venue selection, and attorneys fee clauses.If your contract gets litigated, you might as well give your client some “ammunition” for the fight.Examples of these clauses appear in Appendices A and C.30.可以在合同中加入准据法、审判地、律师费等条款。有了这些条款，一旦合同引起诉讼，你就已经为了你的客户打这场诉讼战准备了一些“弹药”。类似的条款见附录A和B。

Write for the Judge and Jury

第四部分：要为法官和陪审团考虑

31.Assume the reader is a knowledgeable layman.If your writing is so clear that a layman could understand it, then it is less likely it will end up in court.31.要假设合同的读者是一个受过教育的外行,如果你书写的合同简明得连一个外行都能理解，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 indicates that you intend it to have a special 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 agreed to purchase from Seller under this contract.Buyer hereby agrees to purchase from Seller ten(10)frying pans, hereinafter called the “Goods.” 32.强调一个合同术语可以这样做：加上双引号并将其开头的字母大写。将一个词语的开头字母大写表明你想让它有一个特别的意思。下面有两个定义术语的例子：

一.本合同中使用的“货物”(“Goods”)是指买方已经同意向卖方购买的货物;

二.本合同中买方同意向卖方购买的拾（10）只平底锅，即下文中的“货物”(“Goods”)。

33.Define words when first used.Instead of writing a section of definitions at the beginning 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.第一次使用某个术语时就要下定义。定义合同术语不是在合同的开头，也不是在合同的结尾，而是在这个术语第一次出现的时候，这样做，有利于读者更好地理解合同。

34.Explain technical terms and concepts.Remember that the parties 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.勤于解释合同中的术语和概念。要记住合同双方的当事人可能会理解合同中某些专用术语，但法官和陪审团却可能一无所知。所以撰写合同时要让合同自己为自己释义。

Keep Your Client Informed While You Write

第五部分：书写时要常和你的客户沟通

35.All contracts should come with a cover letter.This gives you a place to instruct your client on how to use and sign the contract.35.所有的合同都应该有一封说明书---用来告诉你的客户如何使用和签署合同。

36.Tell your client the ideas that come as you write.Many ideas will occur to you as you write: things that could go wrong with the deal, things that might happen in the future, things that happened in the past, ways to structure things better.Write these in your letter to the client.36.告诉客户你在撰写过程中的一些想法。比如：哪些事情可能会随着交易变得很遭，哪些事可能会在将来发生，哪些事情已经发生了，哪些可以让事情朝好的方向发展的方法.....你最好在给客户的说明书中都将这些都写上。

37.Inform your client of the risks.Writing a letter to the client as you write the contract is the perfect way to inform the client of the risks and rewards of entering into the contract.Frequently, problems do not become apparent until time is spent trying to word a contract.37.告诉客户合同的风险所在。在撰写合同时，你最好向客户说订立合同需要承担的风险和能够得到的利益。通常情况下，只要你花时间来起草合同，你就会发现真正的风险在哪里。

What To Do After the First Draft Is Written

第六部分：完成初稿后做什么

38.Check spelling, paragraph numbering, and cross references both manually and with your word processor's sp

elling and grammar checker.This almost goes without saying today, especially since Microsoft Word now checks your spelling and grammar as you type.(Unfortunately it also changes “per stirpes” to “per stupid” if you fail to watch it closely.)And now there are even computer programs that check contract documents for undefined terms.DealProof is packaged with Corel WordPerfect for law offices, and DocProofReader is available for download for MS Word 97 and 2000.38.核实合同的拼写情况、段落序号以及上下文的注解，你可以自己手动来做，也可以用文字编辑软件中的拼写和语法检查功能来完成，特别是自从有了微软的 word软件后，做这样的工作你似乎不要费多少精力（但机器有时也不可靠，如果你不看仔细，它就会把“per stirpes”改变为 “per stupid”）。现在，这类专业的软件甚至可以帮你检测到合同中没有释义的术语，如：Corel公司专门为法律办公开发的文字处理软件包中的 DealProof软件，还有可供word97和word2000下载安装的DocProofReader软件。

39.Let your secretary or paralegal read it.Not only will your staff frequently find spelling and grammar errors missed by your word processor's spell checker, but they will find inconsistencies and confusing areas that you missed when drafting.39.让你的秘书或者助手阅读你草拟的合同。你的同事不仅能通过文字处理软件来帮你检查到你没有查到的拼写和语法错误，而且他们还能发现你起草时没有察觉到的矛盾和混淆之处。

40.Sta

第四篇：英文合同样本

TIMBER SALE CONTRACT-SAMpLE

The following document offers excellent guidelines when preparing a timber sale contract.Separate articles may be added to suit specific circumstances.It is advised that the Seller and purchaser employ legal counsel to review the contract prior to its endorsement.Contract entered into this ______ day of _____, 20___., by and between __________ of _________ Illinois, hereinafter called the Seller, and _____________, of ____________(city), ___________(state), Illinois Timber Buyer License Number _______, hereinafter called the purchaser, WITNESSETH:

1.The Seller agrees to sell and the purchaser agrees to buy for the total sum of ________dollars($_______)under the conditions set forth in this contract all of the live standing timber marked or designated for cutting and all of the dead or down timber marked or designated upon an area of approximately _____ acres, situated in the _________ of Section ________, Twp._______ R._______, ____________ County, Illinois, on land owned and recorded in the name of _______________________.The purchaser further agrees to pay to the Seller as an initial payment under this contract the sum of _________________ dollars($_________), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and a final payment in the sum of ________________ dollars($_______), prior to any cutting or removal of timber under this contract.2.The Seller further agrees to mark and dispose of the timber conveyed in this contract in strict accordance with the following conditions:

(a)All trees to be included in this sale will be marked with a distinctive mark on the bole and stump of each tree.(b)No trees under _____ inches in diameter at a point 4 1/2 feet from the ground will be marked for cutting.(c)No concurrent contract involving the area or period covered in this contract has been or will be entered into by the Seller without the written consent of the purchaser

(d)The purchaser and his employees shall have access to the area at all reasonable times and seasons for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this contract.(e)Unless otherwise specified, all material contained in the marked or designated trees is included in this sale

(f)

(g)

3.The purchaser further agrees to cut and remove all of the timber conveyed in this contract in strict accordance with the following conditions:

(a)Unless an extension of time is agreed upon in writing between the Seller and purchaser, all timber shall be paid for, cut, and removed on or before and none after the _____ day of _______, 20___, and any material not so removed shall revert to the Seller.(b)Unmarked trees and young timber shall be protected against unnecessary injury from felling and logging operations.If, however, unmarked trees are cut, damages shall be paid the Seller at the rate of $1 per tree per M bd.ft.for all other species, and in the event that any such trees are cut, said trees shall remain upon the premises and shall be the property of the Seller.(c)Necessary logging roads shall be cleared by the purchaser only after their locations have been definitely agreed upon with the Seller or his representative, and any trees to be removed in the clearing operations shall first be marked by the Seller.(d)During the life of this contract and on the area covered, care shall be exercised by the purchaser and his employees against the starting and spread of fire, and they shall do all in their power to prevent and control fires.(e)Any liability for damage, destruction, or restoration of private or public improvements or personal damages occasioned by or in the exercise of this contract shall be the sole responsibility of the purchaser, and the purchaser shall save harmless the Seller on account of such damages.(f)The risk if loss or damage to the trees herein purchased, from any and all causes whatever, shall be borne by purchasers from the date hereof.(g)The purchaser will not assign this agreement without the written consent of the Seller.(h)

(g)

(i)

4.The Seller and purchaser mutually agree as follows:

(a)All modifications of the contract will be reduced to writing, dated, signed, and witnessed and attached to this contract.(b)Any need for reassignment of interest of either party may be changed within 10 days following written consent by both parties.All terms of this contract legally bind the named representatives to excuse this document as written.(c)The total number of trees conveyed is _____(having a volume of approximately _____bd.ft.)composed as follows:

_______ white oak, _______ red and black oak, __________________, ____________________, ______________________, __________________.(d)In case of dispute over the terms of this contract, final decision shall rest with a reputable person to be mutually agreed upon the by parties to this contract.If the parties hereto do not agree upon a third party within 10 days following the initiation of the dispute, or in the case of further disagreement, then within 15 days from the initiation of the dispute, it shall be submitted to a Board of Arbitration of three persons, one to be selected by each party to this contract and the third to be selected by the other two.The Board shall decide the dispute within 5 days after the matter is referred to it.In the event that damages are awarded to the Seller by the Board of Arbitration and are not paid on the date that the award is made, then all operations of the purchaser shall immediately cease, and if the award is not paid or satisfied within 30 days after the date of award, the Seller may take immediate possession of the premises upon which the timber is located, shall retain as liquidated damages all money paid by the purchaser, and the title to all timber shall revert to and become the property of the seller.In witness whereof, the parties hereto have set their hands and seals this __________ day of ______________________ 20____.WITNESSES:

____________________________________________________________

for the purchaser purchaser

____________________________________________________________

for the Seller Seller

第五篇：英文合同

Sales Agreement

销 售 协 议

Agreement No:---

This Agreement is made on this date as of June 01, 2011 , by and between the following Parties:

下列买卖双方经友好协商，同意2011年 月日订立本协议。

The Buyer 买方：BEIJING ZHONGYANG GLOBAL TUNACO.LTD.：北京中洋环球金枪鱼有限公司

Address 地址：NO.200 Jingshun Road Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

中国北京市朝阳区京顺路200号

Tel 电话：86-10-89669988 Fax 传真： 86-10-6435 9456

The Seller 卖方：

Address 地址:

Tel 电话：

Fax 传真：

Consignee and Payer are appointed by the Buyer as below for the time being.The Buyer should inform the Seller in written form if any change of consignee or payer.买方目前指定的收货人和付款人如下。若收货人或付款人有变动，买方应以书面形式通知卖方。

… Page 1/5 …

The Consignee 收货人：BEIJING ZHONGYANG GLOBAL TUNA CO.LTD.北京中洋环球金枪鱼有限公司

Address 地址：NO.200 Jingshun Road Chaoyang District, Beijing北京市朝阳区京顺路200号

Tel 电话：86-10-89669988 Fax 传真： 86-10-6435 9456

The Payer 付款人：BEIJING ZHONGYANG GLOBAL TUNACO.LTD

北京中洋环球金枪鱼有限公司

Address 地址：NO.200 Jingshun Road Chaoyang District, Beijing北京市朝阳区京顺路200号

Tel 电话：86-10-89669988 Fax 传真： 86-10-6435 9456

Whereas, the Buyer contemplates to import the agreed products and holds all necessary permits for this kind of importation, and the Seller has the capacity to provide these products.买方需要进口协商确定的产品并具有进口该类产品所需的所有许可；卖方具有以供应该类产品的能力。

Therefore, the Seller agrees to sell and the Buyer agrees to buy the undermentioned Product during the period of this Agreement according to the terms and conditions stated below:

为此，买卖双方同意在本协议有效期内按照以下的条款购买/供应下述产品：

1.PRODUCT & PRICE 产品及价格

Product 产品：------------Frozen Tuna(---------)冷冻金枪鱼

COMMODITYGRADENET/CTNQ’TYUNIT PRICEAMOUNT 品 名等级单箱净重数量单价(CFR 新港)總價

Origin 产地：

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Negotiated and agreed according to market price per season and the Buyer confirmed in written form of Purchase order(See Annex One).The Seller confirmed in form of Invoice.参照市场行情价格每季度协商确定。买方以定单（参见附件一）的书面形式确认价格及数量，卖方以发票形式确认价格及数量。

2.INSURANCE : TO BE COVERED BY THE SELLER

3.保险由卖方负担。

3.PURCHASE ORDER 订货单

During the Period of this Agreement, as for each shipment, the Buyer should contact in advance with the Seller on the quantity, delivery time and other particulars of this shipment, and based on the consultation results, issue a written Purchase Order to the Seller, stating the quantity, unit price and delivery time and other particulars agreed by the Seller.The Seller shall arrange the shipment as agreed and issue an invoice to the Buyer.在本协议期内，对于每批货，买方应事先与卖方就数量、交货时间及其它特定条件进行洽谈。

在卖方认可这些条件后，买方应向卖方发送注明数量、交货时间及其它特定条件的订货单。卖方应按照订货单的要求安排发货并开具销售发票。

The Purchase Order will be prepared by the Buyer.Its format is enclosed as Annex One of this Agreement and shall be adopted by the Buyer.买方应使用并填写本协议附件一所示的订货单。

4.DELIVERY TERMS 发货条款

CFR XINGANG

Period of shipment：

The specific time for each shipment will be showed on the purchase order and should be determined when the Seller receives the Buyer’s purchase order.发货期：

具体交货日期会显示在订货单上，并应在卖方接到买方的订货单后确定。Transportation 运输方式：By sea container海运

The seller will provide the completed documents required by Buyer and conform to the law of CIQ and china customs.卖方所提供的单据必须齐全,并符合中国有关法律。

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55.PAYMENT TERMS 付款方式

The Buyer should pay byT/T ：15 days after declaration of the goods by the buyer and T/T to the account of the seller.买方应在其收到货后15天之内将货款付给卖方

6.收款人账号信息:

INFORMATION OF BANK ACCOUNT OF THE SELLER:

7.CLAIMS 索赔条款

The products must be checked upon delivery.Claims due to quality of the Tuna must be made in

written immediately and for maximum 7 days after delivery.Tuna subject to claim must not be resold

without Agreement.The seller should issue credit note for the claim within 1 month after claim.买方应在货物运抵后即刻检查货物的状态。对于提出索赔的货物，买方不得在未经卖方许可的情况下销售。卖方在接到买方提交的索赔报告后，应在1个月内开具索赔通知单。

The Invoiced amount must always be paid in full as agreed.Deduction from an invoice can only be

done if the Seller has issued a credit note.只有卖方开具索赔通知单（Credit Note）的情况下，买方才可冲抵发票金额。否则，发票金额必须全额支付。

8.CONFIDENTIALITY 保密条款

Both parties are obliged not to publish the content of this Agreement, also including cases of

disagreement, to competitors, press, TV etc.and not to disclose any content of this Agreement to any

other third party unless the PRC laws and regulations require otherwise.买卖双方都不得以任何形式向竞争对手、新闻媒体及任何第三方透露本协议中的内容，除非中国的法律和法规要求如此。

9.PERIOD OF AGREEMENT 协议期限

The period of this Agreement is June 2011 – Dec.2011

本协议有效期为自------

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10.TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT 协议的解除

One Party has the right to terminate this Agreement unilaterally prior to the expiry of this Agreement

if any of the above terms/conditions are breached by the other Party.The unilateral termination will

take effect when a written notice has been duly issued to the default Party.若协议一方有任何违反上述条款的行为，则另一方有权在协议到期前单方解除协议。当违约方收到另一方解除协议的书面通知时，本协议自动失效。

The Termination of this Agreement will not relieve the default Party of any responsibility and

obligations under this Agreement which has occurred prior to termination of this Agreement.本协议的终止并不免除违约方在协议终止前、协议中规定的责任和义务。

11.DISPUTE RESOLUTION 争议的解决

Any dispute arising from or in connection with this Agreement which cannot be amicably settled

between the parties, shall be submitted to No.2 Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing for hearing.If

the disputed amount is too low to meet the acceptance criterion of the above said Court, the dispute

shall be submitted to People’s Court of Beijing Chaoyang District for resolution.任何有关本协议的争议或纠纷应先通过友好协商解决。若协商仍无法解决，则应提交北京市第二中级人民法院审理。若标的不足以达到上述法院的受理标准，则应递交北京市朝阳区人民法院受理。

Buyer：Beijing Zhongyang Global TunaCo.Ltd.买方：北京中洋环球金枪鱼有限公司

For & On behalf of:

授权代表

Seller:

卖方：

For & On behalf of :

授权代表：

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