摘要: CONTENT目 录 (共十六章385条) Chapter 1 MEANING OF TERMS第一章 合同条款的含义 Chapter 2 FORMATION OF CONTRATCTS------PARTIES AND CAPACITY 第二章 合同的订立当事人及其缔约能力 Chapter 3 FORMATION OF CONTRACTS---MUTUAL ASSENT 第三章 合同的订立
CONTENT目 录 (共十六章385条)
Chapter 1 MEANING OF TERMS第一章 合同条款的含义
Chapter 2 FORMATION OF CONTRATCTS------PARTIES AND CAPACITY
第二章 合同的订立——当事人及其缔约能力
Chapter 3 FORMATION OF CONTRACTS---MUTUAL ASSENT
第三章 合同的订立——意思表示一致
CHAPTER 4 FORMATION OF CONTRACTS—CONSIDERATION
第四章 合同的订立——约因
CHAPTER 5 THE STATUTE OF FRAUDS第五章 防止欺诈条例
CHAPTER 6 MISTAKE第六章 错误
CHAPTER 7 MISREPRESENTATION, DURESS AND UNDUE INFLUENCE
第七章 虚假的意思表示,胁迫以及不当影响
CHAPTER 8 UNENFORCEABILITY ON GROUNDS OF PUBLIC POLICY
第八章 合同因公共政策而不可执行
CHAPTER 9 THE SCOPE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
第九章 合同义务的范围
CHAPTER 10 PERFORMANCE AND NON-PERFORMANCE
第十章 合同的履行与不履行
CHAPTER 11 IMPRACTICABILITY OF PERFORMANCE AND
FRUSTRATION OF PURPOSE
第十一章 履行不能和履行目的落空
CHAPTER 12 DISCHARGE BY ASSET OR ALTERATION
第十二章 双方合意或变更合同以解除合同义务
CHAPTER 13 JOINT AND SEVERAL PROMISORS AND PROMISEES
第十三章 连带允诺人和受允诺人
CHAPTER 14 CONTRACT BENEFICIARIES第十四章 合同受益人
CHAPTER 15 ASSGINEMNT AND DELEGATON
第十五章 合同权利的转让与合同义务的转托
CHAPTER 16.REMEDIES第十六章 违约救济
Chapter 1 MEANING OF TERMS第一章 合同条款的含义
§1. CONTRACT DEFINED 合同定义
A contract is a promise or a set of promises for the breach of which the law gives a remedy, or the performance of which the law in some way recognizes as a duty.
合同指的是一个允诺或一组允诺,如果违反此允诺,则法律给与救济;如果 其履行了允诺,则法律以某种方式将其视为一项义务。
§2. PROMISE; PROMISOR; PROMISEE. 允诺;允诺人;受允诺人
(1) A promise is a manifestation of intention to act or refrain from acting in a specified way, so made as to justify a promisee in understanding that a commitment has been made.
允诺就是以特定方式实施或禁止实施某种行为的意思表示,这种意思表示 使受允诺人正当地认为一个允诺已经作出。
(2) The person manifesting the intention is the promisor.作出该意思表示的人是允诺人
(3) The person to whom the manifestation is addressed is the promisee.
该意思表示所指向的人为受允诺人。
(4) Where performance will benefits a person other than the promisee, that person is beneficiary.
如果该允诺的履行使除受允诺人之外的他人获利,则该人为受益人。
§3. AGREEMENT DEFINED; BARGAIN DEFINED协议的定义;
An agreement is a manifestation of mutual assent on the part of two or more persons. A bargain is an agreement to exchange promises or to exchange a promise for a performance or to exchange performances.
.交易磋商约定的定义 一个协议就是两个或两个以上的人一致的意思表示。一个交易磋商约定是为允诺与允诺之间的交换,或为允诺与义务履行的交换,或为义务履行之间的交换而
达成的协议。
§4. How a Promise May Be Made 允诺如何作出
A promise may be stated in words either oral or written, or may be inferred w holly or partly from conduct.
一个允诺可以用口头言词或书面文字作出,也可以完全或部分地从行为中推断而得。
§5. Terms of Promise, Agreement, or Contract允诺,协议或合同的条件
(1) A term of promise or agreement is that portion of the intention or assent manifested which relates to a particular matter.
允诺或协议的条件就是当事人就特定的事项表示了部分的缔约意图或对缔约的赞同。
(2) A term of contract is that portion of the legal relations resulting from the promise or set of promises which relates to a particular matter, whether or not the parties manifest an intention to create those relations.
合同的条件就是由于当事人就特定事项作出了一个或一系列的允诺,由此引起他们之间部分法律关系的存在,不管当事人是否作出意思表示要建立这些 法律关系。
§6. Formal Contracts要式合同
The following types of contracts are subject in some respects to special rules that depend on their formal characteristics and differ from those governing contracts in general:
下列类型的合同根据其形式上的特征,在某些方面受不同于一般合同规则的法律规则的调整:
(1) Contracts under seal, 盖印合同
(2) Recognizances, 保证书
(3) Negotiable instruments and documents,.可流通票据和单据
(4)Letters of credit信用证
§7. Voidable contracts可撤消的合同
A voidable contract is one where one or more parties have the power, by a manifestation of election to do so, to avoid the legal relations created by the contract, or by ratification of the contract to extinguish the power of avoidance.
如果合同的一方或多方当事人有权通过意思表示,或通过订立一个取消撤消权的合同,撤消该合同已经建立的法律关系,则该合同为可撤消的合同。
§8. Unenforceable Contracts不能强制执行的合同
An unenforceable contract is one for the breach of which neither the remedy of damages nor the remedy of specific performance is available, but which is recognized in some other way as creating a duty of performance, though there has been no ratification.
不可强制执行的合同是指这样一种合同,即违反该合同导致损害赔偿救济和强制履行救济均不可适用,但是却被认为是以其他方式创设了并没有获得认可的 履行义务。
Chapter 2 FORMATION OF CONTRATCTS------PARTIES AND CAPACITY
第二章 合同的订立——当事人及其缔约能力
§9. Parties Required合同当事人
There must be at least two parties to a contract, a promisor and a promisee, but there may be any greater number.
合同必须至少有两个当事人,即允诺人和受允诺人,但是也可以有两个以上更多的当事人。
§10. Multiple Promisors and Promisees of the Same Performance
针对同一项履行的多个允诺人和受允诺人
(1) Where there are more promisors than one in a contract, some or all of them may promise the same performance, whether or not there are also promises for separate performances.
如果一个合同中有多个允诺人,则部分或全部的允诺人可以就同一项履行作出允诺,不管他们是否就个别的义务履行作出允诺。
(2) Where there are more promises than one in a contract, a promise may be made to some or all of them as a unit, whether or not the same or another performance is separately promised to one or more of them.
如果一个合同中不只有一个允诺,则部分或全部的允诺人可以一个单位作出允诺,不管相同或另外的履行义务是否被单独地对一个或一个以上的允诺人允诺。
§11. When a Person May Be Both Promisor and Promisee
何时允诺人和受允诺人可以同为一人
A contract may be formed between two or more persons acting as a unit and one or more but fewer than all of these persons, acting either singly or with other persons.
在由两个或两个以上的人共同代表的一个单位和这些人中的一个或部分多数之间可以缔结合同,这些人可以单独地或者同他人一起行事。
§12. Capacity to Contract缔约能力
(1) No one can be bound by contract who has not legal capacity to incur at least voidable contractual duties, Capacity to contract may be partial and its existence in respect of a particular transaction may depend upon the nature of the transaction or upon other circumstances.
没有法律行为能力的缔约人所缔结的合同所产生的义务是可撤消的,该合同对缔约人并没有约束力。是否享有部分缔约能力以及是否就某一特定交易享有 缔约能力取决于该交易的本质或者其他一些情况。
(2) A natural person who manifests assent to a transaction has full legal capacity to incur contractual duties thereby unless he is
一个自然人如果就某项 交易作出同意的意思表示,则该自然人享有完全合法的创设合同义务的缔约能 力,除非该自然人是
(a) under guardianship, or处于监护之中,或
(b) an infant, or为成年人,或
(c) mentally ill or defective, or有精神疾病或精神缺陷者,或
(d) intoxicated. 醉酒者。
§13. Persons Affected by Guardianship受监护的人
A person has no capacity to incur contractual duties if his property is under guardianship by reason of an adjudication of mental illness or defect.
如果一个人由于被判决存在精神疾病或精神缺陷,其财产处于监管之中,则该人没有创设合同义务的行为能力。
§14. Infants未成年人
Unless a statute provides otherwise , a natual person has the capacity to incur only voidable contractual duties until the beginning of the day before the person’s eighteenth birthday.
除非法令另有规定,自然人在18 岁生日之前只具有创设可撤消合同义务的行为能力。
§15. Mental Illness or Defect有精神病或精神缺陷的人
(1) A person incurs only voidable contractual duties by entering into a transaction if by reason of mental illness or defect
在下列情况下,一个存在精神疾病或精神缺陷的人,在从事交易活动时所创设的合同义务是可以撤消的:
(a) he is unable to understand in a reasonable manner the nature and consequences of the transaction, or
他不能以正常方式理解此项交易的性质以及会产生的后果,或者
(b) he is unable to act in a reasonable manner in relation to the transaction and the other party has reson to know of his condition.
他不能像正常人那样从事此项交易,并且交易的相对方有合理的理由知道这一事实。
(2) Where the contract is made on fair terms and the other party is without knowledge of the mental illness or defect, the power of a voidance under Subsection (1) terminates to the extent that the contract has been so preformed in whole or in part or the circumstances have so changed that a voidance would be unjust. In such a case a court may grant relief as justice requires.
如果合同的缔结是基于公平的条款,并且他方当事人不知道该缔约人患有 精神疾病或存在精神缺陷,那么,如果该合同已经被全部或部分地履行或者情势变更,以至撤消该合同有失公平,则在(1)小节中所规定的撤消权不再适用。在这种情况下,法院可以依公平正义之需判决给与当事人救济。
§16. Intoxicate Persons醉酒的人
A person incurs only voidable contractual duties by entering into a transaction if the other party has reason to know that by reason of intoxication
如果缔约他方当事人有合理的理由知道一方当事人由于醉酒存在下列情况,则该当事人在从事交易活动时所创设的合同义务是可以撤消的。
(a) he is unable to understand in a reasonable manner the nature and consequences of the transaction, or
他不能以正常方式理解此项交易的性质以及会产生的后果,或者
(b) he is unable to act in a reasonable manner in relation to the transaction,
他不能像正常人那样从事此项交易。
Chapter 3 FORMATION OF CONTRACTS---MUTUAL ASSENT
第三章 合同的订立——意思表示一致
TOPIC 1. IN GENRERAL主题一 一般规定
§17. Requirement of a Bargain交易磋商的条件
(1) Except as stated in Subsection (2), the formation of a contract requires a bargain in which there is a manifestation of mutual assent to the exchange an d a consideration.
除(2)小节的规定外,合同的订立要求当事人就允诺与允诺、允诺与义务履行、以及义务履行之间的交换和约因意思表示一致。
(2) Whether or not there is a bargain a contract may be formed under special rules applicable to formal contracts or under the rules stated in §§82-94.
合同可以依据适用于正式合同中的特殊规则或依据§§82-94 中的规则订立,不管有没有交易磋商。
TOPIC 2, MANIFESTATION OF ASSENT IN GERNERAL主题二 意思表示的一般条款
§18. Manifestation of Mutual Assent意思表示一致
Manifestation of mutual assent to an exchange requires that each party make a promise or begin or render a performance.
对一个交换作出一致的意思表示要求各方当事人作出允诺或开始或实施一项义务履行。
§19. Conduct as Manifestation of Assent依意思表示实施的行为
(1) The manifestation of assent may be made wholly or partly by written or spoken words or by other acts or by failure to act.
意思表示可以完全或部分地通过书面或口头、或其他作为或不作为作出。
(2) The conduct of a party is not effective as a manifestation of his assent unless he intends to engage in the conduct and knows or has reason to know that the other party may infer from his conduct that he assents.
一方当事人以行为作出的意思表示是无效的,除非他有意实施这一行为,并且知道或有理由知道他方当事人可以从他的行为中推断出他有此缔约意思。
(3) The conduct of a party may manifest assent even though he does not in fact assent. In such cases a resulting contract may be voidable because of fraud, mistake, or other invalidation cause.
一方当事人的行为可以作为意思表示,虽然事实上他并没有此缔约意思。在这种情况下所缔结的合同可以基于欺诈、错误或其他无效的理由被撤消。
§20. EFFECT OF MISUNDERSTANDING误解的效力
(1) There is no manifestation of mutual assent to an exchange if the parties attach materially different meanings to their manifestations and
如果当事人就他们的意思表示赋予了实质上不同的理解,并且有如下情况存在时,则表明他们就磋商的交换没有达成一致:
(a) neither party knows or has reason to know the meaning attached by the other; or
双方当事人任一方都不知道或没有理由知道对方的意思表示所赋予的含义;或
(b) each party knows or each party has reason to know the meaning attached by the other.
任一当事方知道或有理由知道对方的意思表示所赋予的含义。
(2) The manifestations of the parties are operative in accordance with the meaning attached to them by one of the parties if
一方当事人可以依据该意思表示所指的含义执行该意思表示,如果
(a) that party does not know of any different meaning attached by the other, and the other knows the meaning attached by the first party; or
该当事人不知道另一方当事人所指的不同含义,而另一方当事人知道第一方 当事人所指的含义。
(b) that party has no reason to know of any different meaning attached by the other, and the other has reason to know the meaning attached by the first party.
该当事人没有理由知道另一方当事人所指的不同含义, 而另一方当事人有理由知道第一方当事人所指的含义。
§21. INTENTION TO BE LEGALLY BOUND具有法律拘束力的意图
Neither real nor apparent intention that a promise be legally binding is essential to the formation of a contract, but a manifestation of intention that a promise shall not affect legal relations may prevent the formation of a contract.
当事人有关允诺具有法律拘束力的意图无论是真实的还是表面的,对于合同的缔结并不重要,但是如果当事人作出允诺并不影响当事人法律关系的意思表示,则当事人之间的合同并不成立。
§22. Mode of Assent: Offer and Acceptance合意的模式: 要约与承诺
(1) The manifestation of mutual assent to an exchange ordinarily takes the form of an offer or proposal by one party followed by an acceptance by the other party or parties.
双方当事人就交换达成合意的意思表示通常是由一方当事人提出要约或提议,然后由另一方当事人或另一方多数当事人作出承诺。
(2) A manifestation of mutual assent may be made even though neither offer nor acceptance can be identified and even though the moment of formation cannot be determined.
即使要约和承诺都无法被识别,并且合同成立的时间也无法确定,双方当事人也可以作出合意的意思表示。
§23. Necessity That Manifestation Have Reference to Each Other
作出意思表示应相互参考的必要性
It is essential to a bargain that each party manifest assent with reference to the manifestation of the other.
任何当事人作出意思表示都应参考对方的意思表示,这一点对交易磋商很重要。
TOPIC 3. MAKING OF OFFERS 主题三 要约的发出
§24. Offer Defined要约的定义
An offer is the manifestation of willingness to enter into a bargain, so made a s to justify another person in understanding that his assent to that bargain is invited and will conclude it.
要约就是以交易磋商为目的而为意思表示,使得他人合理地认为该意思表示被邀请并且该交易将要进行。
§25. Option Contracts选择权合同
An option contract is a promise which meets the requirements for the formation of a contract and limits the promisor’s power to revoke an offer.
如果一个允诺符合了订立合同的条件,并且限制允诺人撤回要约,则该允诺即构成选择权合同。
§26. Preliminary Negotiations订约前之商议
A manifestation of willingness to enter into a bargain is not an offer if the person to whom it is addressed knows or has reason to know that the person making it does not intend to conclude a bargain until he has made a further manifestation of assent.
如果意思表示所指向的人知道或有理由知道作出意思表示的当事人在作出进一步的意思表示之前并没有意图达成交易,则该以缔结合同为目的的意思表示并不属于要约。
§27.Existence of Contract Where Memorial is contemplated
在意图制作记录情况下合同的存在
Manifestations of assent that are in themselves sufficient to conclude a contract will not be prevented from so operating by the fact that the parties also manifest an intention to prepare an adopt a written thereof; but the circumstances may show that the agreements are preliminary negotiations.
双方当事人作出意思表示要采用书面 方式缔结合同这一事实,并不影响当事人已经作出的足以导致合同缔结的意思 表示的执行;但是这种情况表明这些合意仍然属于订约前之商议。
§28.Auctions拍卖
(1) At an auction, unless a contrary intention is manifested,
在拍卖时,除非有相反的意思表示,
(a) the auctioneer invites offers from successive bidders which he may accept or reject;
拍卖人向所有连续的出价人发出要约邀请,出价人可以承诺或拒绝;
(b) when goods are put up without reserve, the auctioneer makes an offer to sell at any price bid by the highest bidder, and after the auctioneer calls for id the goods cannot be withdrawn unless no bid is made within a reasonable time;
如果拍卖标的实行无保留低价拍卖,则拍卖人应发出要约,将拍卖标的以任何价格卖给出价最高者,在拍卖人将标的拍卖后,拍卖人不得撤回其无保留 低价之拍卖标的,除非在合理的时间内无人竞买;
(c) whether or not the auction is without reserve, a bidder may withdraw his bid until the auctioneer’s announcement of completion of the sale, but a bidder’s retraction does not revieve any previous bid.
不管该拍卖是否是无保留低价之拍卖,竞买人可以在拍卖人宣布成交之前可以撤回竞价,但是竞买人撤回竞价的行为不得使先前的出价生效。
(2) Unless a contrary intention is manifested, bids at an auction embody terms made known by advertisement, posting or other publication of which bidders are or should be aware, as modified by announcement made by the auctioneer when the goods are put up.
除非有相反的意思表示,在拍卖标的时,竞买人的出价包含了竞买人知道或应该知道的广告、海报或其他出版物所公布的条款,拍卖人在拍卖标的时可以 通过公告的方式对这些条款加以修改。
§29. To Whom an Offer is Addressed要约所指向的对象
(1) The manifested intention of the offeror determines the person or persons in whom is created a power of acceptance.
要约人的意思表示决定了有权作出承诺的人。
(2) An offer may create a power of acceptance in a specified person or in one or more of a specified group or class of persons, acting separately or together, or in anyone or every one who makes a specified promise or renders a specified performance.
要约可以在一个明确的人或一个或多个明确的、单独或集体行动的群体或团体之中,或者也可以在作出明确允诺或实施明确义务的任何人之中创设一种承 诺的权利。
§30. FORM OF ACCEPTANCE INVITED.承诺的形式
(1) An offer may invite or require acceptance to be made by an affirmative answer in words, or by performing or refraining from performing a specified act, or may empower the offeree to make a selection of terms in his acceptance.
要约人可以要求承诺人通过给出书面的确定性答复、或者作为或不作为某一特定的行为来作出承诺,或者要约人可以授权受约人作出选择性的承诺。
(2) Unless otherwise indicated by the language or the circumstances, an offer invites acceptance in any manner and by any medium reasonable in the circumstances.
除非语言或情势有相反的表示,要约人可以要求承诺人以任何方式,采用特定情况下合理的媒介作出承诺。
§31. Offer Proposing a Single Contract or a Number of Contracts
提议缔结一个或几个合同的要约
An offer may propose the formation of a single contract by a single acceptance or the formation of a number of contracts by successive acceptances from time to time.
一个要约可以通过一个承诺缔结一个合同,或者也可以通过不时地、连续性的承诺缔结几个合同。
§32. Invitation of Promise or Performance允诺或义务履行邀请
In case of doubt an offer is interpreted as inviting the offeree to accept either by promising to perform what the offer requests or by rendering the performance, as the offeree chooses.
在存在怀疑的情况下,要约应被解释为邀请受约人选择或者通过允诺履行要约所要求的义务、或者履行该义务。
§33. Certainty确定性
(1) Even though a manifestation of intention is intended to be understood as an offer, it cannot be accepted so as to form a contract unless the terms of the contract are reasonably certain.
虽然意思表示作为一个要约意在使相对方理解,但是该意思表示不能被承诺以形成一个合同,除非合同的条款相当确定。
(2) The terms of a contract are reasonably certain if they provide a basis for determining the existence of a breach and for giving an appropriate remedy.
如果合同就违约和适当救济作出基本的规定,则该合同的条款则是相当确定的。
(3) The fact that one or more terms of a proposed bargain are left open or uncertain may show that a manifestation of intention is not intended to be understood as an offer or as an acceptance.
如果一个被提议交易的一个或多个条款悬而未决、或者是不确定的,则表明作为要约或承诺的意思表示并不意在使相对方理解。
§34. Certainty and Choice of Terms; Effect of Performance or Reliance
条款的选择与确定性;义务履行或信赖的效力
(1) The terms of a contract may be reasonably certain even though it empowers one or both parties to make a selection of terms in the course of performance.
合同当事人在履行义务过程中,虽然可以就合同的条款作出选择,但是合 同的条款应是具有相当确定性的。
(2) Part performance under an agreement may remove uncertainty and establish that a contract enforceable as a bargain has been formed.
部分履行的合同具有确定性,并且表明作为交易的可执行合同已经成立。
(3) Action in reliance on an agreement may make a contractual remedy appropriate even though uncertainty is not removed.
虽然合同的条款并不确定,但是基于对合同的信赖而实施的行为可以获得适当的合同救济。
TOPIC 4. DURATION OF THE OFFEREE’S POWER OF ACCEPTANCE
主题四 受要约人承诺能力的期间
§35. The Offeree’s Power of Acceptance受要约人的承诺能力
(1) An offer gives to the offeree a continuing power to complete the manifestation of mutual assent by acceptance of the offer.
受要约人有权通过对要约的承诺持续地作出合意的意思表示。
(2) A contract cannot be created by acceptance of an offer after the power of acceptance has been terminated in one of the ways listed in §36
如果受要约人的承诺能力依据§36 所列方式终止之后,则该受要约人的承诺并不创设一个合同。
§36. Methods of Termination of the Power of Acceptance承诺权利终止的方式
(1) An offeree’s power of acceptance may be terminated by
受要约人的承诺能力可以通过下列方式终止
(a) rejection or counter-offer by the offeree, or受要约人拒绝要约或提出反要约,或
(b) lapse of time,or期间届满,或
(c) revocation by the offeror, or要约人撤回要约,或
(d) death or incapacity of the offeror or offeree. 要约人或受要约人死亡或丧失行为能力
(2) In addition, an offeree’s power of acceptance is terminated by the non- occurrence of any condition of acceptance under the terms of the offer.
除此之外,如果受要约人对要约条款未作任何承诺,则该受要约人的承诺 能力终止。
§37. Termination of Power of Acceptance Under Option Contract
选择权合同项下承诺能力的终止
Notwithstanding §§38-49, the power of acceptance under an option contract is not terminated by rejection or counter-offer, by revocation, or by death or incapacity of the offeror, unless the requirements are met for the discharge of a contractual duty.
虽然有§§38-49 的规定,但是选择权合同项下的承诺能力并不因受要约人拒绝要约或提出反要约、或要约人撤回要约、或要约人的死亡或丧失行为能力而终止,除非解除合同义务的条件已经成就。
§38. Rejection要约的拒绝
(1) An offeree’s power of acceptance is terminated by his rejection of the offer, unless the offeror has manifested a contrary intention.
受要约人如果拒绝要约,则其承诺的能力终止,除非要约人有相反的意思 表示。
(2) A manifestation of intention not to accept an offer is a rejection unless the offeree manifests an intention to take it under further advisement.
未作出承诺的意思表示也属于对要约的拒绝,除非受要约人表示要作进一步的考虑。
§39. Counter-offers反要约
(1) A counter-offer is an offer made by an offeree to his offeror relating to the same matter as the original offer and proposing a substituted bargain differing from that proposed by the original offer.
如果受要约人对与原要约相同事项的实质性内容作出了修改,并提出一项新的替代交易回复给要约人,则该项提议为反要约。
(2) An offeree's power of acceptance is terminated by his making of a counter-offer, unless the offeror has manifested a contrary intention or unless the counter-offer manifests a contrary intention of the offeree.
受要约人如果提出反要约,则该受要约人的承诺能力终止,除非要约人有相反的意思表示、或反要约代表了受要约人相反的意思表示。
§40. Time When Rejection or Courter-offer Terminates the Power of Acceptance Rejection or counter-offer by mail or telegram does not terminate the power of acceptance until received by the offeror, but limits the power so that a letter or telegram of acceptance started after the sending of an otherwise effective rejection or counter-offer is only a counter-offer unless the acceptance is received by the offeror before he receives the rejection or counter-offer.
拒绝或反要约终止承诺能力的时间 如果受约人通过邮件或电报拒绝要约或提出反要约,则在要约人收到之前,受要约人的承诺能力虽然并不终止,但是有所限制,以便于承诺的邮件或电报在相反、有效的要约拒绝或反要约发送之后是唯一的反要约,除非要约人在收到要
约拒绝或反要约之前收到此承诺。
§41. Lapse of Time期间届满
(1) An offeree's power of acceptance is terminated at the time specified in the offer, or, if no time is specified, at the end of a reasonable time.
要约中应明确受要约人承诺能力的终止时间,或者如果没有明确时间,则其承诺能力应在合理的时间之后终止。
(2) What is a reasonable time is a question of fact, depending on all the circumstances existing when the offer and attempted acceptance are made.
什么是合理的时间,这属于一个事实问题,要随发出要约和试图作出承诺时的情况而定。
(3) Unless otherwise indicated by the language or the circumstances, and sub ject to the rule stated in §49, an offer sent by mail is reasonably accepted if a n acceptance is mailed at any time before midnight on the day on which the offer is received.
除非有相反的规定或情形,依据§49 中的规定,如果一个承诺是在受要约人收到要约当日的午夜之前的任何时候发出的,则该通过邮件的要约就应是被合 理承诺的要约。
§42. Revocation by Communication From Offeror Received By offeree An offeree's power of acceptance is terminated when the offeree receives fro m the offeror a manifestation of an intention not to enter into the proposed c ontract.
要约人通知受要约人撤回要约 如果受要约人收到了要约人不愿缔结计划中的合同的意思表示,则受要约人的承诺能力终止。
§43. Indirect Communication of Revocation撤回要约的间接通知
An offeree's power of acceptance is terminated when the offeror takes definite action inconsistent with an intention to enter into the proposed contract and the offeree acquires reliable information to that effect.
如果要约人采取了明确的、与缔结合同的意思表示不一致的行为,并且受要约人获得了有关此事实的可靠信息,则受要约人的承诺能力终止。
§44. Effect of Deposit on Revocability of Offer
An offer’s power of revocation is not limited by the deposit of money or other property to be forfeited in the event of revocation, but the deposit may be for feited to the extent that it is not a penalty.
§44. 存款对要约撤回的效力如果撤回要约,则存款或其他要被没收的财产并不会限制要约的撤回,但是该
项存款可能要被没收,只是这种没收不属于惩罚。
§45. Option Contract Created By Party Performance of Tender
一方当事人以履行义务缔结选择合同
(1) Where an offer invites an offeree to accept by rendering a performance an d does not invite a promissory acceptance, an option contract is created when the offeree tenders or begins the invited performance or tenders a beginning of it.
如果一个要约邀请受要与人以履行义务的方式作出承诺,而不需要作出允诺性的承诺,则如果受要约人履行或开始履行被邀请的义务,那么选择权合同 就算缔结。
(2) The offeror's duty of performance under any option contract so created is conditional on completion or tender of the invited performance in accordance with the terms of the offer.
要约人在选择权合同项下的义务是附随性的,取决于被邀请义务是否依据要约条款被实现或被履行。
§46. Revocation of General Offer一般要约的撤回
Where an offer is made by advertisement in a newspaper of other general notification to the public or to a number of persons whose identity is unknown to the offeror, the offeree’s power of acceptance is terminated when a notice of termination is given publicity by advertisement or other general notification equal to that given to the offer and no better means of notification is reasonably available.
如果要约通过广告在其他通常向公众、或要约人并不知晓其身份的人公布信息的报纸上发出,则如果终止承诺能力的通知书通过广告或发给要约人的其他类似 通知书向公众发布,并且没有更好的通知方式可以合理地加以利用,那么,受 要约人的承诺能力终止。
§47. Revocation of Divisible Offer可分要约的撤回
An offer contemplating a series of independent contracts by separate acceptances may be effectively revoked so as to terminate the power to create future contracts, though one or more of the proposed contracts have already been formed by the offeree’s acceptance.
如果一个要约预计通过独立的承诺达成一系列独立的合同,则要约人可以有效地撤该要约以终止受要约人的承诺能力,尽管一个或一个以上被提议的合同已 经由受要约人作出承诺而成立。
§48. Death or Incapacity of Offeror or Offeree要约人或受要约人死亡或丧失行为能力
An offeree’s power of acceptance is terminated when the offeree or offeror di es or is deprived of legal capacity to enter into the proposed contract.
如果受要约人或要约人希望或被剥夺缔结合约的法律能力,则受要约人的承诺能力终止。
§49. effect of Delay in Communication of Offer要约传达过程中延迟的效力
If communication of an offer to the offeree is delayed, the period within which a contract can be created by acceptance is not thereby extended if the offere d knows or has reason to know of the delay, though it is due to the fault of the offeror; but if the delay is due to the fault of the offeror or to the means of transmission adopted by him, and the offeree neither knows nor has reason to know that there has been delay, a contract can be created by acceptance with in the period which would have been permissible if the offer had been dispatched at the time that its arrival seems to indicate.
如果一个针对受要约人的要约在传达过程中出现延迟,那么,如果受要约人知道或有理由知道此延迟,则其作出承诺缔结合同的期限并不因此延期,即使延期是由于要约人的过错所导致的;但是如果延期是由于要约人的过错所致,或者是由于要约人所采用的发送方式所导致的,并且受要约人不知道或没有合理的理由知道延迟的存在,则如果要约是在它应到达时的日期被发送,那么,受要约人可以在可允许的期间内作出承诺缔结合同。
TOPIC 5. ACCEPTANCE OF OFFERS主题五 要约的承诺
§50. Acceptance of Offer Defined; Acceptance by Performance; Acceptance by Promise
承诺的定义;通过履行义务而为承诺;通过允诺作出承诺
(1) Acceptance of an offer is a manifestation of assent to the term thereof ma de by the offeree in a manner invited or required by the offer.
承诺就是受要约人依照要约所邀请或要求的方式,对要约人表示接受其要约而成立合同之意思表示。
(2) Acceptance by performance requires that at least part of what the offer re quests be performed or tendered and includes acceptance by a performance which operates as a return promise.
通过履行义务而为承诺,要求至少要约的部分请求被履行或被实施,并且包含通过履行义务表示承诺,该义务的履行相当于相应的承诺。
(3) Acceptance by a promise requires that the offeree complete every act essential to the making of the promise.
通过允诺作出承诺要求受要约人完成每一个对发出允诺具有重要意义的行 为。
§51. Effect of Part Performance Without Knowledge of Offer
在不知道要约的情况下部分履行的效力
Unless the offeror manifests a contrary intention, an offeree who learns of an offer after he has rendered part of the performance requested by the offer m ay accept by completing the requested performance.
除非要约人作出相反的意思表示,如果受要约人在已经履行了部分要约所要求的义务之后得知该要约的存在,则该受要约人可以通过完成被要求的义务履行来作出承诺。
§52. Who May Accept an Offer有权作出承诺的人
An offer can be accepted only by a person whom it invites to furnish the consideration.
只有那些被邀请提供约因的人可以就要约作出承诺。
§53.Acceptance by Performance Manifestation of Intention Not to Accept
通过履行义务作出不予承诺的意思表示
(1) An offer can be accepted by the rendering of a performance only if the off er invites such an acceptance.
只有在要约人要求以履行义务作出承诺时,受要约人才可以通过履行义务承诺。
(2) Except as stated in §69, the rendering of a performance does not constitute an acceptance if within a reasonable time the offeree exercises reasonable d iligence to notify of non-acceptance.
除§69 的规定外,如果受要约人在合理的时间内尽到合理的勤勉向要约人发出不予承诺的通知,则义务的履行并不构成承诺。
(3) Where an offer of a promise invites acceptance by performance and does not invite a promissory acceptance, the rendering of the invited performance does not constitute an acceptance if before the offeror performs his promise t he offeree manifests an intention not to accept.
如果一个允诺的要约要求通过履行义务来作出承诺,并不要求以允诺承诺 , 则如果在要约人履行允诺之前,受要约人作出不予承诺的意思表示,则该义务 的履行并不构成一个承诺。
§54. Acceptance By Performance; Necessity of Notification to Offeror
通过履行义务作出承诺;向要约人发出通知的必要性
(1) Where an offer invites an offeree to accept by rendering a performance, n o notification is necessary to make such an acceptance effective unless the off er requests such a notification.
如果一个要约要求受要约人通过履行义务而为承诺,则除非该要约要求发出承诺的通知,否则受要约人没有必要发出通知宣布该承诺生效。
(2) If an offeree who accepts by rendering a performance has reason to know that the offeror has no adequate means of learning of the performance with r easonable promptness and certainty, the contractual duty of the offeror is disc harged unless
如果受要约人通过履行义务而为承诺,并且有合理的理由知道要约人没有足够的渠道以合理的迅急和确定性知晓义务的履行,则要约人的合同义务解除,除非
(a) the offeree exercises reasonable diligence to notify the offeror of acceptance, or
受要约人尽到合理勤勉就承诺的作出通知要约人,或
(b) the offeror learns of the performance within a reasonable time, or
要约人在合理的期间内知晓了义务的履行,或
(c) the offer indicates that notification of acceptance is not required.
该要约并没有要求就承诺作出通知。
§55. Acceptance of Non-Promissory Offers非允诺要约的承诺
Acceptance by promise may create a contract in which the offeror’s performan ce is completed when the offeree’s promise is made.
通过允诺而为的承诺可以创设合同,并且当受要约人作出允诺时,要约人已经履行了该合同的义务。
§56. Acceptance By Promise; Necessity of Notification to Offeror
通过允诺而为承诺;向要约人发出通知的必要性
Except as stated in §69 or where the offer manifests a contrary intention, it is essential to an acceptance by promise either that the offeree exercise reasonable diligence to notify the offeror of acceptance or that the offeror receive the acceptance reasonably.
除§69 节的规定或要约有相反的意思表示外,受要约人尽到合理的勤勉就承诺通知要约人或者要约人合理地收到承诺对于通过允诺而为的承诺而言至关重要。
§57. Effect of Equivocal Acceptance模棱两可承诺的效力
Where notification is essential to acceptance by promise, the offeror is not bound by an acceptance in equivocal terms unless he reasonably understands it as an acceptance.
如果通过允诺而为的承诺要求发出通知,则模棱两可作出的承诺对要约人并不具有约束力,除非要约人合理地认为其属于承诺。
§58. Necessity of Acceptance Complying with Terms of Offer
依照要约条款所作承诺的必要性
An acceptance must comply with the requirements of the offer is to the promise to be made or the performance to be rendered.
承诺应按照要约对允诺或义务履行的要求作出。
§59. Purported Acceptance Which Adds Qualifications附带有限制条件的声称的承诺
A reply to an offer which purports to accept it but is conditional on the offeror's assent to terms additional to or different from those offered is not an acceptance but is a counter-offer.
如果对一个旨在承诺的要约的回复,取决于要约人对附加条款的同意,或者该恢复与要约的内容实质上不符,则该回复并非承诺,而应属于反要约。
§60. Acceptance of Offer Which States Place, Time or Manner of Acceptance
说明承诺地点、时间或承诺方式的承诺
If an offer prescribes the place, time or manner of acceptance its terms in this respect must be complied with in order to create a contract. If an offer merely suggests a permitted place, time or manner of acceptance, another method of acceptance is not precluded.
如果一个要约规定了承诺的地点、时间或方式,则该要约在此方面的条款就必须保持一致以创设合同。如果一个要约只是就允许的承诺地点、时间或方式提出建议,则并不排除使用其他的承诺方式。
§61. ACCEPTANCE WHICH REQUESTS CHANGE OF TERMS
要求变更要约条款的承诺
An acceptance which requests a change or addition to the terms of the offer is not thereby invalidated unless the acceptance is made to depend on assent to the changed or added terms.
如果一个承诺要求变更或增加要约的条款,则该承诺并非就是无效的,除非该承诺取决于要约人对这些变更或增加条款的同意。
§62. EFFECT OF PERFORMANCE BY OFFEREE WHERE OFFER INVITES EITHER PERFORMANCE OR PROMISE
如果要约要求履行义务或作出允诺而为承诺,则受要约人履行义务的效力
(1) Where an offer invites an offeree to choose between acceptance by promi se and acceptance by performance, the tender or beginning of the invited per formance or a tender of a beginning of it is an acceptance by performance.
如果要约要求受要约人选择通过作出允诺或履行义务而为承诺,则履行义务或开始履行义务即为通过履行义务作出承诺。
(2) Such an acceptance operates as a promise to render complete performance.
如此作出的承诺相当于作出完全履行义务的允诺。
§63. TIME WHEN ACCEPTANCE TAKES EFFECT Unless the offer provides otherwise,
承诺生效的时间 除非要约有相反的规定,
(a) an acceptance made in a manner and by a medium invited by an offer is operative and completes the manifestation of mutual assent as soon as put out of the offeree's possession, without regard to whether it ever reaches the offe ror; but
以某种方式或要约规定的媒介作出的承诺是有影响力的,并且一经受要约人作出,不管是否到达要约人,即构成了双方当事人一致的意思表示;但是
(b) an acceptance under an option contract is not operative until received by the offeror.
选择权合同项下的承诺直到该承诺到达要约人才开始生效。
§64. ACCEPTANCE BY TELEPHONE OR TELETYPE
通过电话或电传打字机作出承诺
Acceptance given by telephone or other medium of substantially instantaneously two-way communication is governed by the principles applicable to acceptances where the parties are in the presence of each other.
通过电话或其他实质上是两种即时同步传递的媒介作出承诺时,应适用双方当事人均在场时的承诺原则。
§65. REASONABLENESS OF MEDIUM OF ACCEPTANCE承诺媒介的合理性
Unless circumstances known to the offeree indicate otherwise, a medium of acceptance is reasonable if it is the one used by the offeror or one customary i n similar transactions at the time and place the offer is received.
除非受要约人所知道的情形表明了相反的迹象,否则, 如果作出承诺的媒介属于要约人使用的媒介或者是在类似交易中,收到要约的 时间地点习惯使用的媒介,则该媒介就是合理的。
§66. ACCEPTANCE MUST BE PROPERLY DISPATCHED承诺必须适当地发出
An acceptance sent by mail or otherwise from a distance is not operative when dispatched, unless it is properly addressed and such other precautions take n as are ordinarily observed to insure safe transmission of similar messages.
通过邮件或其他方式从远距离发送的承诺并非有效,除非该承诺适当地写明了地址,并且采取了通常情况下可预料到的、能够确保类似信息安全传送的预防措施。
§67. EFFECT OF RECEIPT OF ACCEPTANCE IMPROPERLY DISPATCHED
收到未适当发出的承诺时的效力
Where an acceptance is reasonably dispatched but the offeree uses means of transmission not invited by the offer or fails to exercise reasonable diligence t o insure safe transmission, it is treated as operative upon dispatch if received within the time in which a properly dispatched acceptance would normally have arrived.
如果受要约人合理地发出了承诺,但是没有使用要约中所要求的传送方式、或没有尽到合理勤勉以确保承诺的安全传送,那么,如果在一个适当发送的承诺正常到达要约人的时间内达到要约人,则该承诺一经发出就应被视为是有效的。
§68. WHAT CONSTITUTES RECEIPT OF REVOCATION, REJECTION, OR ACCEPTANCE
什么情况下应认为要约撤回,要约拒绝或承诺的通知书被收到
A written revocation, rejection, or acceptance is received when the writing comes into the possession of the person addressed, or of some person authorized by him to receive it for him, or when it is deposited in some place which he has authorized as the place for this or similar communications to be deposit ed for him.
如果书面的要约撤回、拒绝或承诺的通知书为指定的收件人拥有,或者被授权接收此类通知书的人收到,或者如果该通知书被存放于要约人授权接收该通知书 或类似通知书的某一地点时,则应认为该书面的要约撤回、要约拒绝或承诺通知 书被收到。
§69. ACCEPTANCE BY SILENCE OR EXERCISE OF DOMINION
通过沉默或实施控制权作出承诺
(1) Where an offeree fails to reply to an offer, his silence and inaction operate as an acceptance in the following cases only:
如果受要约人没有就一个要约作出答复,则该受要约人的沉默与不作为只 有在下列情况下才可以视为承诺:
(a) Where an offeree takes the benefit of offered services with reasonable opportunity to reject them and reason to know that they were offered with the expectation of compensation.
如果受要约人从要约人提出的服务当中获利,并且有合理的机会拒绝这些服务,同时也有合理的理由知道要约人期待从其所提供的服务中获得补偿。
(b) Where the offeror has stated or given the offeree reason to understand th at assent may be manifested by silence or inaction, and the offeree in remaining silent and inactive intends to accept the offer.
如果要约人已经说明或者已经使受要约人合理地相信,可以通过沉默或不作为的方式作出同意的意思表示,并且在此情况下,持续保持沉默和不作为的 受要约人有意就此要约作出承诺。
(c) Where because of previous dealings or otherwise, it is reasonable that the offeree should notify the offeror if he does not intend to accept.
如果由于先前的交易行为或其他行为,此行为是合理的,即受要约人如果不愿承诺就应该通知要约人。
(2) An offeree who does any act inconsistent with the offeror's ownership of offered property is bound in accordance with the offered terms unless they are manifestly unreasonable. But if the act is wrongful as against the offeror it is an acceptance only if ratified by him.
如果受要约人实施了任何与要约人对被要约财产的所有权不一致的行为,则该受要约人应受要约条款的规定的制约,除非这些条款的规定明显不合理。但是如果这一行为对要约人而言是不正当的,则只有在受要约人作出修正之后, 该行为才可以作为承诺存在。
§70. EFFECT OF RECEIPT BY OFFEROR OF A LATE OR OTHERWISE DEFECTIVE ACCEPTANCE
要约人收到迟延的或有其他缺陷的承诺时的效力
A late or otherwise defective acceptance may be effective as an offer to the or iginal offeror, but his silence operates as an acceptance in such a case only as stated in §69.
迟延的或有其他缺陷的承诺可以作为对原要约人发出的一个要约而生效,但是这种情况下,原要约人对此新要约表示沉默的承诺只能适用§69 节的规定。
CHAPTER 4 FORMATION OF CONTRACTS—CONSIDERATION
第四章 合同的订立——约因
TOPIC1. THE REQUIREMENT OF CONSIDERATION
主题一 约因需要成就的条件
§71. REQUIREMENT OF EXCHANGE; TYPES OF EXCHANGE
交换的条件;交换的种类
(1) To constitute consideration, a performance or a return promise must be bargained for.
约因的构成要求履行行为或相应承诺必须经过交易磋商之过程。
(2) A performance or return promise is bargained for if it is sought by the promisor in exchange for his promise and is given by the promisee in exchange f or that promise.
如果允诺人想要以自己之允诺换取他人之履行行为或相应承诺,并且被允诺人为换取该允诺而为履行或作出相应承诺,则认为该履行行为或相应承诺经 过了交易磋商。
(3) The performance may consist of履行行为包括
(a) an act other than a promise, or行为而不是承诺,或者
(b) a forbearance, or权力之不行使或行为之容忍,或
(c) the creation, modification, or destruction of a legal relation.法律关系之创设、变更或消灭
(4) The performance or return promise may be given to the promisor or to so me other person. It may be given by the promisee or by some other person.
履行行为或相应承诺可以由受允诺人或其他人向允诺人或其他人作出。
§72. EXCHANGE OF PROMISE FOR PERFORMANCE允诺与行为履行的交换
Except as stated in §§73 and 74, any performance which is bargained for is consideration.
除§§73 和 74 的规定外,任何经过交易磋商的行为履行均为约因。
§73. PERFORMANCE OF LEGAL DUTY法律义务的履行
Performance of a legal duty owed to a promisor which is neither doubtful nor the subject of honest dispute is not consideration; but a similar performance i s consideration if it differs from what was required by the duty in a way which reflects more than a pretense of bargain.
允诺人应履行的法律义务如果既非可疑,又非合法争议的对象,则该义务不属于约因;但是某一类似履行行为如果有别于此项法律义务的要求,表明不只一个磋商存在,则该履行行为属于约因。
§74. SETTLEMENT OF CLAIM请求权争议的解决
(1) Forbearance to assert or the surrender of a claim or defense which proves to be invalid is not consideration unless
不主张权利或提交被证明是无效的权利请求书或抗辩书并非约因,除非
(a) the claim or defense is in fact doubtful because of the uncertainty as to th e facts or the law, or
该权利请求或抗辩由于法律或事实的不确定性,在事实上是可疑的,或
(b) the forbearing or surrendering party believes that the claim or defense may be fairly determined to be valid.....
不主张权利方或提交请求或抗辩方认为该权利请求或抗辩可能被公平地认定为有效
(2) The execution of a written instrument surrendering a claim or defense by one who is under no duty to execute it is consideration if the execution of the written instrument is bargained for even though he is not asserting the claim or defense and believes that no valid claim or defense exists.
如果没有执行义务的一方陈述请求或抗辩的书面文书经过了交易磋商,那么,即使该方当事人目前并没有主张该请求或抗辩,而且认为不存在合法的请 求或抗辩,则执行该书面文书的行为应属约因。
§75.EXCHANGE OF PROMISE FOR PROMISE允诺与允诺之间的交换
except as stated in §76 and 77, a promise which is bargained for is considerati on if ,but only if, the promised performance would be consideration.
除§§76 和 77 的规定外,一个经过磋商的允诺,如果,并且在只有被允诺的行为履行属于约因的情况下,才属于约因。
§76.CONDITIONAL PROMISE附有条件之允诺
(1) A conditional promise is not consideration if the promisor knows at the time of making the promise that the condition cannot occur.
如果允诺人在作出允诺时知道附带的条件不可能成就,则该附带条件的允诺不属于约因。
(2) A promise conditional on a performance by the promisor is a promise of alternative performances within §77 unless occurrence of the condition is also promised.
取决于允诺人某一行为履行的允诺属于§77 中的有选择性行为的允诺,除非允诺人也就该条件的成就作出允诺。
§77.ILLUSORY AND ALTERNATIVE PROMISE空洞和选择性的允诺
A promise or apparent promise is not consideration if by its terms the promisor or purported promisor reserves a choice of alternative performances unless
如果一个允诺人或声称的允诺人按照允诺的条款保留了对履行行为的选择权,则该允诺或表面上的允诺不属于约因,除非
(a) each of the alternative performances would have been consideration if it a lone had been bargained for, or
每一个供选择的履行行为如果进行单独磋商时本为约因,或者
(b) one of the alternative performances would have been consideration and there is or appears to the parties to be a substantial possibility that before the promisor exercises his choice events may eliminate the alternatives which would not have been consideration.
供选择的履行行为之一本为约因,并且好象对于当事人而言,在允诺人作出选择之前,那些不属于约因的选择行为实质上有可能被消除。
§78.VOIDABLE AND UNENFORCEABLE PROMISE可撤消的和不可强制执行的允诺
The fact that a rule of law renders a promise voidable or unenforceable does not prevent it from being consideration.
对一个可撤消的或不可强制执行的允诺的实施并不能阻止该允诺成为约因。
§79. ADEQUACY OF CONSIDERATION; MUTUALITY OF OBLIGATION
约因的适当性;义务的相互性
If the requirement of consideration is met, there is no additional requirement of
如果约因的条件已经成就,则对下列事项 不存在额外的要求
(a) a gain, advantage, or benefit to the promisor or a loss, disadvantage, or detriment to the promisee; or
要约人获益或受要约人受损;或
(b) equivalence in the values exchanged; or交换价值的对等性;或
(c) "mutuality of obligation." “义务的相互性”。
§80. MULTIPLE EXCHANGE多重交换
(1) There is consideration for a set of promises if what is bargained for and given in exchange would have been consideration for each promise in the set if exchanged for that promise alone.
如果双方交易磋商和交换之对象,在换取单一允诺时为一系列允诺中任一允诺之约因,则此一系列允诺存在约因。
(2) The fact that part of what is bargained for would not have been consideration if that part alone had been bargained for does not prevent the whole fro m being consideration.
如果当事人可以就部分交易磋商之对象进行单独磋商,则该部分被磋商的 对象则不应为约因,但是这一事实并不阻止整体交易磋商之对象成为约因。
§81. CONSIDERATOIN AS MOTIVE OR INDUCTING CAUSE作为诱因的约因
(1) The fact that what is bargained for does not of itself induce the making of a promise does not prevent it from being consideration for the promise.
交易磋商对象本身并不能导致允诺的作出,但是这一事实并不能阻止该交易磋商之对象成为该允诺的约因。
(2) The fact that a promise does not of itself induce a performance return promise does not prevent the performance or return promise from being consideration for the promise.
允诺本身并不能导致一个相应承诺的履行,但是这一事实并不能阻止该相应承诺的履行成为该允诺的约因。
TOPIC 2. CONTRACTS WITHOUT CONSIDERATION主题二 没有约因的合同
§82. PROMISE TO PAY INDEBTEDNESS; EFFECT ON THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
给付债务之允诺;时效法的效力
(1) A promise to pay all or part of an antecedent contractual or quasi-contractual indebtedness owed by the promisor is binding if the indebtedness is still enforceable or would be except for the effect of a statute of limitations.
如果允诺人作出允诺给付全部或部分先前的合同债务或准合同债务,并且如果此债务仍然是可执行的或者是排除适用时效法的,则该允诺具有拘束力。
(2) The following facts operate as such a promise unless other facts indicate a different intention:
除非其他事实表明了不同的意图,则下列事实可以作为允诺存在:
(a) A voluntary acknowledgment to the obligee, admitting the present existence of the antecedent indebtedness; or
自愿向债权人承认先前的债务仍然存在;或
(b) A voluntary transfer of money, a negotiable instrument, or other thing by the obligor to the obligee, made as interest on or part payment of or collateral security for the antecedent indebtedness; or
债务人自愿向债权人转让金钱、票据或其他物品,作为对先前债务的利息或 部分给付或抵押担保品;或
(c) A statement to the obligee that the statute of limitations will not be pleaded as a defense.
债务人向债权人作出声明,表示不将时效法作为抗辩理由。
§83. PROMISE TO PAY INDEBTEDNESS DISCHARGED IN BANKRUPTCY
给付在破产程序中已履行的债务之允诺
An express promise to pay all or part of an indebtedness of the promisor, discharged or dischargeable in bankruptcy proceedings begun before the promise is made, is bindding.
如果允诺人对于在允诺作出之前已经开始的破产程序中已履行的或可履行的债务允诺全部或部分给付,则该允诺具有拘束力。
§84. PROMISE TO PERFORM A DUTY IN SPPITE OF NON-OCCURRENCE OF A CONDITION
条件不成就时而履行义务之允诺
(1) Except as stated in Subsection (2), a promise to perform all or part of a conditional duty under an antecedent contract in spite of the non-occurrence of the condition is binding, whether the promise is made before or after the time for the condition to occur, unless
除(2)小节的规定外,允诺人在条件不成就的情况下,允诺全部或部分履行先前合同项下附带条件的义务,则不管该允诺是在条件成就时之前还是之后作出,该允诺具有约束力,除非
(a) occurrence of the condition was material part of the agreed exchange for t he performance of the duty and the promisee was under no duty that it occur; or
(a) 条件的成就属于双方为义务履行而达成交换 之重要部分,并且受要约人对条件的成就不承担义务;或
(b) uncertainty of the occurrence of the condition was an element of the risk assumed by the promisor.
条件成就的不确定性是允诺人所承担风险的一个要素。
(2) If such a promise is made before the time for the occurrence of the condition has expired and the condition is within the control of the promisee or beneficiary, the promisor can make his duty again subject to the condition by notifying the promisee or beneficiary of his intention to do so if
如果一个允诺是在条件成就的期限届满之前作出,并且该条件处于受允诺人或其受益人的控制当中,则在下列情况下,允诺可以人履行其受条件制约的义务,只要向受要约人或其受益人通知履行该义务的意图即可
(a) the notification is received while there is still a reasonable time to cause the condition to occur under the antecedent terms or an extension given by the promisor; and
在条件依据先前合同的条款或允诺人对该合同作出的延伸而成就之前的一段合理时间内,受要约人或其受益人收到了此通知;和
(b) reinstatement of the requirement of the condition is not unjust because of a material change of position by the promisee or beneficiary; and
由于受要约人或其受益人的主张发生了重大改变,使得恢复条件的制约是公平的;和
(c) the promise is not binding apart from the rules stated in Subsection (1)
除了(1)小节规定的原则外,允诺并不具有约束力。
§85.PROMISE TO PERFORM A VOIDABLE DUTY履行可撤消义务之允诺
except as stated in §93, a promise to perform all or part of an antecedent con tract of the promisor, previously violable by him, but not avoided prior to the making of the promise, is binding.
除§93 的规定外,如果允诺人先前的合同在允诺之前虽然可撤消但是不可避免,则允诺人就完全或部分履行该合同所作出的允诺,具有约束力。
§86.PROMISE FOR BENEFIT RECEIVED因受有利益而为给付之允诺
(1) A promise made in recognition of a benefit previously received by the promisor from the promisee is binding to the extent necessary to prevent injustice.
基于对允诺人过去从受允诺人处所获取利益的确认而作出的允诺,在为了防止不公正而必要的程度上是有约束力的。
(2) A promise is not binding under Subsection (1) 在以下情况下,上述允诺将失去约束力:
(a) if the promisee conferred the benefit as a gift or for other reasons the promisor has not been unjustly enriched; or
允诺人作为赠与而提供了该利益,或者,由于其他原因,允诺人并不会不当得利。
(b) to the extent that its value is disproportionate to the benefit.
在该允诺的价值与该利益的价值不相称的程度上,该允诺没有约束力。
§87. OPTION CONTRACT选择权合同
(1) An offer is binding as an option contract if it
作为一个选择权合同,要约在下列情况下是有约束力的:
(a) is in writing and signed by the offeror, recites a purported consideration for the making of the offer, and proposes an exchange on fair terms within a reasonable time; or
(a) 如果该要约是由要约人以书面形式签署发出,并且陈述了发出该要约的约因,提议在合理 的时间内通过公平的条款作出交换;或
(b) is made irrevocable by statute. 法律规定该要约是不可撤回的。
(2) An offer which the offeror should reasonably expect to induce action or for bearance of a substantial character on the part of the offeree before acceptance and which does induce such action or forbearance is binding as an option contract to the extent necessary to avoid injustice.
如果要约人应当合理地预见到其要约会使受要约人在承诺之前采取具有某 种实质性质的作为或不作为,并且该要约的确导致了这样的作为或不作为,该 要约便同选择权合同一样,在为避免不公正而必需的范围内具有约束力。
§88. GUARANTY担保
A promise to be surety for the performance of a contractual obligation, made to the obligee, is binding if
为确保合同义务的履行,允诺人向受允诺人作出的允诺在下列情况下是有拘束 力的:
(a) the promise is in writing and signed by the promisor and recites a purport ed consideration; or
允诺由允诺人书面签署发出,并且陈述了约因;或
(b) the promise is made binding by statute; or允诺按照法令是有约束力的;或
(c) the promisor should reasonably expect the promise to induce action or for bearance of a substantial character on the part of the promisee or a third person, and the promise does induce such action or forbearance.
允诺人应该合理地预料到该允诺能够引起受允诺人或第三人的行为或负担, 并且事实上该允诺也确实引起了此种行为或负担。
§89. MODIFICATION OF EXECUTORY CONTRACT待履行合同之修订
A promise modifying a duty under a contract not fully performed on either sid e is binding
修订任何一方当事人未完全履行之合同义务的允诺在下列情况下是具有约束力的:
(a) if the modification is fair and equitable in view of circumstances not anticipated by the parties when the contract was made; or
鉴于发生了当事人在缔结合同时无法预料的情况,对合同义务作出修订是公平公正的;或
(b) to the extent provided by statute; or该允诺是在法令规定的范围内作出;或
(c) to the extent that justice requires enforcement in view of material change of position in reliance on the promise.
基于对允诺之信赖,当事人的主张发生了重大变更,该允诺是在执行合同义务属公平正义之需的情况下作出的。
§90. PROMISE REASONABLY INDUCING ACTION OR FORBEARANCE
(1) A promise which the promisor should reasonably expect to induce action o r forbearance on the part of the promisee or a third person and which does in duce such action or forbearance is binding if injustice can be avoided only by enforcement of the promise. The remedy granted for breach may be limited a s justice requires.
允诺如果是在允诺人通过合理的推想可以预见到能够引起受允诺人或第三人的行为或负担,并确实引起了此种行为或负担的情况下作出的话,如果只有通 过允诺的履行才能避免不公正,则该允诺必须得到履行。对因违背诺言而给予的 救济应限制在正当范围内
(2) A charitable subscription or marriage settlementis binding under Subsection(1) without proof that the promise induced action or forbearance.
对教会的捐赠或婚姻财产协议依 (1)小节是有约束力的,受允诺人无须证明该允诺诱使了作为或不作为。
§91.Effect of Promises Enumerated in §§82-90 When Conditional
附条件情况下§§82-90 中所列举允诺之效力
If a promise within the terms of §§82-90 is in terms conditional or performance at a future time the promisor is bound thereby ,but performance becomes due only upon the occurrence of the condition or upon the arrival of the specified time.
如果§§82-90 中所列举允诺之条款是附有条件的或者允诺人的履行受将来某个时间的制约,则只有在条件成就或特定时间到来后,该履行行为才到期。
§92 TO WHOM PROMISES ENUMERATED IN §§82-85 MUST BE MADE
§§82-85 中所列举允诺作出之对象
The new promise referred to in §§82-85 is not binding unless it is made to a person who is then an obligee of the antecedent duty.
§§82-85 中所指的新允诺并不能被执行,除非它是针对在当时还是先前义务之债务人而作出的。
§93. PROMISES ENUMERATED IN §§82-85 MADE IN IGNORANCE OF FACTS
§§82-85 中所列举的、在不知晓事实情况下作出的允诺
A promise within the terms of §§82-85is not binding unless the promisor knew or had reason to know the essential facts of the previous transaction to which the promise relates, but his knowledge of the legal effect of the facts is im material.
§§82-85 中所列举的允诺是不能被执行的,除非允诺人知道或有理由知道与该允诺相关的先前交易的重要事实,但是他对这些事实之法律效力是否知晓并不重要。
§94 STIPULATIONS法令规定
A promise or agreement with reference to a pending judicial proceeding, mad e by a party to the proceeding or his attorney, is binding without consideration. By statute or rule of court such as agreement is generally binding only
一方当事人或其律师在未决诉讼程序中所作出的,与该程序有关的允诺或协议,在没有约因的情况下也是具有约束力的。依据法令或法院的判决,这些协议只有在下列情况下具有普遍的约束力:
(a) if it is in writing and signed by the party or attorney, or
该允诺或协议是由当事人或其律师书面签署的,或
(b) if it is made or admitted in the presence of the court, or
该允诺或协议是在法庭作出或确认,或
(c) to the extent that justice requires enforcement in view of material change of position in reliance on the promise or agreement.
基于对该允诺或协议之信赖,当事人的主张发生了重大变更,该允诺或协议 是在执行合同义务属公平正义之需的情况下作出的。
TOPIC 3. CONTRACTS UNDER SEAL; WRITING AS A STATUTORY SUBSTITUTE FOR THE SEAL
主题三 盖印合同;盖印的法定替代——书面形式
§95. Requirements for sealed contract or written contract or instrument (1) In the absence of statute a promise is binding without consideration if (a) it is in writing and sealed; and
盖印合同或书面合同之要求(1)如果法令没有作出规定,则一个没有约因的允诺在下列情况下是具有约束力的: 该允诺是以书面形式为之,并附有盖印;和
(b) the document containing the promise is delivered; and 包含有此允诺的文书被交付;和
(c) the promisor and promisee are named in the document or so described as to be capable of identification when it is delivered.
该文书中提到了允诺人或受允诺人,或者在该文书被交付时允诺人和受允诺 人被认为有识别能力。
(2) When a statute provides in effect that a written contract or instrument is binding without consideration or that lack of consideration is an affirmative defense to an action on a written contract or instrument, in order to be subject t o the statute a promise must either
如果有效的法令规定没有约因的书面合同是具有约束力的,或者规定缺少约因可以作为一个对依据书面合同而为行为之明确抗辩,那么,对该法令的遵守,要求允诺必须或者
(a) be expressed in a document signed or otherwise assented to by the promisor and delivered; or
在由允诺人签署或以其他方式表示同意并交付的文书中作出;或
(b) be expressed in a writing or writings to which both promisor and promisee manifest assent.
由允诺人和受允诺人一致同意的书面形式作出
§96. WHAT CONSTITUTES A SEAL何为盖印
(1) A seal is a manifestation in tangible and conventional form of an intention that a document be sealed.
盖印就是通过有形的、惯用的形式而为的、加盖在文书上的一种意思表示。
(2) A seal may take the form of a piece of wax, a wafer or other substance affixed to the document or of an impression made on the document.
盖印可以是蜡状物、干胶或其他附于文书上的物质,或者也可以是在文书上留下的压痕。
(3) By statute or decision in most States in which the seal retains significance a seal may take the form of a written or printed seal, word, scrawl or other s gn.
依据多数州认为盖印仍然具有重要意义的法令或判决,盖印也可以是书面 或印刷之印文、文字、草签或其他记号。
§97. WHEN A PROMISE IS SEALED允诺何时盖印
A written promise is sealed if the promisor affixes or impresss a seal on the document or adopts a seal already thereon.
如果要约人在文书上加盖了印章或者使用了上述盖印,则该书面允诺被盖印。
§98. ADOPTION OF A SEAL BY DELIVERY以交付而为盖印
Unless extrinsic circumstances manifest a contrary intention, the delivery of a written promise by the promisor amounts to the adoption of any seal then on the document which has apparent reference to his signature or to the signature of another party to the document.
除非外界情况表现出允诺人有相反意图,允诺人交付书面允诺即相当于在文书上盖印,且该印章与允诺人或文书他方当事人的签名有关。
§99. ADOPTION OF THE SAME SEAL BY SEVERAL PARTIES
多方当事人使用相同的印章
Any number of parties to the same instrument may adopt one seal.
同一合同的多方当事人可以采用一个印章。
§100. RECITAL OF SEALING OR DELIVERY盖印或交付的说明
A recital of the sealing or of the delivery of a written promise is not essential to its validity as a contract under seal and is not conclusive of the fact of sealing or delivery unless a statute makes a recital of sealing the equivalent of a seal.
就书面允诺之盖印或交付的说明并不影响此允诺作为盖印合同的效力,也不是 盖印或交付的确证,除非法令规定对盖印之说明相当于盖印本身。
§101 DELIVERY交付
A written promise, sealed or unsealed, may be delivered by the promisor in escrow, conditionally to the promisee, or unconditionally.
一个书面要约,不管盖印与否,可以由允诺人附条件暂交第三者保管或无条件 地交付受允诺人。
§102 UNCONDITIONAL DELIVERY无条件交付
A written promise is delivered unconditionally when the promisor puts it out of his possession and manifests an intention that it is to take effect at once according to its terms.
当书面允诺脱离允诺人之占有,并表示该允诺将依据其条款立即生效,那么,该书面允诺应无条件地被交付。
§103. DELIVERY IN ESCROW; CONDITIONAL DELIVERY TO THE PROMISEE
附条件暂交第三人保管之交付;向受允诺人有条件之交付
(1) A written promise is delivered in escrow by the promisor when he puts it into the possession of a person other than the promisee without reserving a power of revocation and manifests an intention that the document is to take effect according to its terms upon the occurrence of a stated condition but not otherwise.
如果允诺人在没有保留撤回权的情况下,将书面允诺之占有转让与受允诺人之外的人,并且表示该书面允诺一经所陈述的条件而不是其他条件成就时,即依据其条款开始生效,那么该书面允诺以条件未完成前寄存于第三人的方式 交付。
(2) A written promise is delivered conditionally to the promisee when the promisor puts it into the possession of the promisee without reserving a power of revocation and manifests an intention that the document is to take effect according to its terms upon the occurrence of a stated condition but not otherwise.
如果允诺人在没有保留撤回权的情况下,将书面允诺之占有转让与受允诺人,并且表示该书面允诺一经所陈述的条件而不是其他条件成就时,即依据其条款开始生效,那么该书面允诺被无条件地交付于受允诺人。
(3) Delivery of a written promise in escrow or its conditional delivery to the promisee has the same effect as unconditional delivery should have if the requirement of the condition were expressed in the writing.
如果在书面允诺中明确了条件的成就,则采用条件未成就前寄存于第三人之方式或附条件向受允诺人交付书面允诺之方式与无条件交付方式相同的效力。
(4) In the absence of a statute modifying the significance of a sealed promise in escrow or its conditional delivery to the promisee is irrevocable for the time specified by the promisor for the occurrence of the condition, or , if no time is specified, for a reasonable time.
如果法令没有就采用条件未成就前寄存于第三人交付或附条件交付之盖印允诺之重要性作出修订,则该盖印允诺在允诺人所规定的条件成就之前的时间 内不可撤回,如果允诺人没有规定时间,则在合理的时间内允诺人不得撤回允诺。
§104. ACCEPTANCE OR DISCLAIMER BY THE PROMISEE受允诺人的承诺或不承诺
(1) Neither acceptance by the promisee nor knowledge by him of the existence of a promise is essential to the formation of a contract by the delivery of a written promise which is binding without consideration.
如果一个具有约束力的没有约因的书面允诺一经交付,则受允诺人的承诺或对现有允诺的不知情并不影响合同的形成。
(2) A promisee who has not manifested assent to a written promise may, with in a reasonable time after learning of its existence and terms, render it inoperative by disclaimer.
受允诺人如果不同意书面允诺,则可以在得知允诺存在和允诺条款的合理时间内,通过拒绝承诺指出该书面允诺是没有影响力的。
(3) Acceptance or disclaimer is irrevocable. 承诺或不承诺的意思表示是不可撤回的。
§105. ACCEPTANCE WHERE RETURN PROMISE IS CONTEMPLATED
相应承诺存在时的承诺
Where a conveyance or a document containing a promise also purports to containa return promise by the grantee or promisee, acceptance by the grantee or promisee is essential to create any contractual obligation other than an option contract binding on the grantor or promisor.
如果包含允诺的信息或文书中声称还包含受让人或受允诺人的相应承诺,则受让人或受允诺人的承诺对于创设任何合同义务至关重要,但是对转让人或允诺人有约束力的选择权合同义务除外。
§106. WHAT AMOUNTS TO ACCEPTANCE OF INSTRUMENT接受允诺文书的意义
Acceptance of a conveyance or of a document containing a promise is a manifestation of assert to the terms thereof made, either before or after delivery, in accordance with any requirements imposed by the grantor or promisor. If the acceptance occurs before delivery and is not binding as an option contract , it is revocable until the moment of delivery.
如果受允诺人不管是在交付前还是交付后,按照转让人或允诺人规定的条件,接受了包含允诺的信息或文书,则相当于受允诺人对允诺的条款作出了同意的意思表示。如果是在交付之前接受,并且接受行为作为一个选择权合同是不具有约束力的,则在交付之前受允诺人可以作出撤回的意思表示。
§107. CREATION OF UNSEALED CONTRACT BY ACCEPTANCE BY PROMISEE
受允诺人之接受以创设无盖印合同
Where a grantee or promisee accepts a sealed document which purports to contain a return promise by him, he makes the return promise. But if he dose not sign or seal the document his promise is not under seal, and whether it is binding depends on the rules governing unsealed contracts.
如果受让人或受允诺人接受了一个包含由他来作出相应承诺的盖印文书,则该受让人或受允诺人应作出相应承诺。但是如果他没有签字或没有盖章,则他的允诺为无盖印允诺,是否无盖印允诺具有约束力取决于法律对无盖印合同之规定。