语篇结构与合同有效期

完整的法律文件结构按从大到小的顺序，分别是“编、章、节、条、款、项、目”，对应的英语为part，chapter，section，article，paragraph，subparagraph，item，可根据内容需要进行删减。下面着重学习合同的篇章结构。完整的合同一般包括以下几个部分：

约首（the head）

-前提（Commencement/premises）

-引述语/前言（Recitals/Preamble；Whereas Clauses）

本文/正文（the body）

-定义条款（Definition）

-质量、数量、价格、付款条件、装运等

-声明与保证条款（Representation and Warranties）

-保密条款（Non-disclosure or No Publicity）

-不可抗力条款（Force Majeure）

-仲裁条款（Arbitration）

约尾（the tail）

-证明部分（Attestation/WITNESS Clause）

对于各类合同通用的一些条款我们要熟悉其结构和表达，举一反三加以套用。

1.约首（The Head）常见条款

本合同由依据中华人民共和国法律成立的公司________，其登记注册地在________（以下简称买方）和依据美利坚合众国法律成立的公司________，其登记注册地在________（以下简称卖方）于2010年5月20日在北京订立，双方同意按下述条款买卖下列货物：

This Contract is made this 20th date of May，2010 in Beijing，China by and between________company under the law of PRC，having its registered address in________（hereinafter referred to as the“Buyer”）and________company under the law of the USA，having its registered address in________（hereinafter referred to as the“Seller”）；whereby the Buyer agrees to buy and the Seller agrees to sell the following goods on terms and conditions as below：

这是一个较为简化的版本，目前法律英语有简单化的倾向，在更为正式的合同中，约首会采用更为完整的“前言+鉴于”格式，即“Premises+Whereas Clause”。如：

THIS CONTRACT is made this 20th date of May，2010 in Beijing，China by and between________company under the law of PRC，having its registered address in________and legal address in________（hereinafter referred to as the“Buyer”）and________company…（…“Seller”）；

WHEREAS the Buyer agrees to…

WHEREAS the Seller agrees to…

NOW，THEREFORE，in consideration of the premises and the mutual convinces，through consultation，the Buyer and Seller agree to enter into this contract under the terms and conditions set forth as follows：

2.约尾（The Tail）的常见条款

本合同为中英文两种文本，一式两份，双方各执一份中文正本和一份英文正本。两种文本具有同等效力。本合同自双方授权代表签字之日起生效。

This Contract is made out in duplicate in Chinese and in English Language，one Chinese original copy and one English original copy for each party，both texts being equally authentic.This Contract shall come into force from the date it is signed by the authorized representatives of both parties.

3.正文（The Body）的常见条款

（1）协议有效期

This agreement，when duly signed by the both parties concerned，shall remain in force for 12 months from October 1，1992 to September 30，1993，and it shall be extended for another 12 months upon expiration unless notice in writing is given to the contrary.(www.xing528.com)

本协议自1992年10月1日双方签订之日起生效，有效期截至1993年9月30日。如未提前通知合同终止，该协议在合同有效期截止后12个月仍然有效。

（2）协议终止

During the validity of this agreement，if either of the two parties is found to have violated the stipulations herein，the other party has the right to terminate this agreement.

本合同有效期内，如签订双方其中一方违反本合同规定，另一方有权中止合同。

After the termination of the Contract，Party A shall still have the right to use the know-how supplied by Party B，and still have the right to design，manufacture，use，sell and export the Contract product.

合同终止后，甲方仍有权使用乙方提供的专业技术，也有权设计、制造、使用、销售、出口合同产品。

（3）免责条款/不可抗力

The Seller shall not be held responsible for failure or delay in delivery of the entire lot or a portion of the goods under this Sales Contract in consequence of any Force Majeure incidents which might occur.Force Majeure as referred to in this Contract means unforeseeable，unavoidable and insurmountable objective conditions，（including but not limited to…）

由于不可抗力可能引发的本销售合同规定之全部或部分商品无法交付或延迟交付，卖方不需要承担责任。本合同的不可抗力指无法预测、避免和克服的客观条件，包括但不限于……

However，the party affected should inform the other party of its occurrence in writing as soon as possible and therefore send a certificate of the event issued by the relevant authorities to the other party within 15 days after its occurrence.

然而受影响一方必须尽快以书面形式通知另一方，并在事故发生后15日内为另一方开具相关权威机构签发的事故认证证明。

（4）仲裁条款

All disputes arising from the performance，or in connection with this agreement shall be settled through friendly negotiation between both parties hereto.Should no settlement to disputes can be reached through negotiation，the case shall be submitted for arbitration to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission and the rules of this Commission shall be applied.The award of the arbitration shall be final and binding upon both parties.

所有关于合同履行和与合同相关的纠纷须双方友好协商解决。若协商无法解决纠纷，将交由中国国际经济贸易仲裁委员会仲裁，裁定结果双方须遵守。该裁定为最终裁定，对双方具有约束力。

（5）定义部分开头概括句

As used in this Agreement，the following terms shall have respective meanings as set forth below：

The following terms as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in this Article：

For the purpose of this Contract，terms as contained herein shall have the meanings given below：

In this Agreement the following terms have the following meaning unless the context clearly requires otherwise：

本合约以下条款分别定义如下：

（6）分别定义条款

“Net Profits and Net Losses”means/shall mean/shall have the meaning of the taxable income and loss of the Venture.

净利润和净亏损指应纳税所得和企业亏损。

“Baht”or the abbreviation“Bht”refers/shall refer to the then lawful currency of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Baht或其简称Bht指泰王国的合法货币。

“Effective Date”shall be construed as the date of execution of the Contract.

“有效日期”须理解为合同生效当日。