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2022-05-27

看不懂合約細則豈能簽名?14個合約常見英文專業用語、句型,不能不懂!

(Credit:https://stock.adobe.com

 

  很多剛剛踏入社會的fresh grads (fresh graduates;應屆畢業生),特別是有意到外企公司工作的社會新鮮人,在正式加入國際公司的大家庭前,可能還會遇到另一個難題:看不懂英文合約「

 

  看清合約條文其實非常重要,不但可了解自己的義務和職責,亦可從中得知自己擁有哪些權益。既然如此,你又怎可容許自己在看不懂合約細則的情況下貿然簽下合約呢?為了不讓自己在簽合約時才發現看不懂英文條文,為了好好保障自己的權利,為了避免「吃虧在後頭」,大家趕快學會以下14個合約中常見的專業用語吧!

 

Part 1:合約中常見的專業用語

 

1.    Terms (條款)

 

  Terms 的意思是「條件;條款」,這是與合約當事人約定的條件有關。例如:在租賃合約中,Terms 條款將包括租用期限以及約定的租金等。

 

例句:

We strongly advise you to read the terms and conditions and privacy policies first.

我們強烈建議你先閱讀條款和條件以及私隱政策。

 

2.    Clause(條款)

 

  Clause的意思是「條款」,這是基於當地法律或公司規則的條款規定各方必須或禁止做的事情。

 

例子:

 

  ●    Installation clause(安裝條款)

  ●    Force Majeure Clause(不可抗力條款)

  ●    Breach clause(違約條款)

  ●    Miscellaneous clause(雜項條款)

 

例句:

We have to make sure that each penalty clause complies with the statutory provisions.

我們必須確保每條懲罰性條款均符合法定規定。

 

3.    Party(合約的當事人或一方)

 

例句:

Each party should understand the other party's real needs so that it can try to meet them.

每一方都應該了解另一方的真實需求,以便可以嘗試滿足他們的需求。

 

4.    Agreement(兩方或多方之間的協議/協定)

 

(Credit:https://stock.adobe.com

 

例句:

In the course of the mediation, everyone can agree to write up an agreement on some of the matters that have been settled.

在調解過程中,每個人都可以同意就已解決的某些事項寫一份協議。

 

5.    Legally binding (具有法律約束力)

 

  在一般的法律慣例中,一旦各個party已經簽署合同,它就具有法律效力或法律強制執行了。

 

例句:

The transition agreement won't be legally binding until the final withdrawal treaty is signed.

在簽署最終退出條約之前,過渡協議將不具有法律約束力。

 

6.    Acceptance(契約義務的承諾)

 

例句:

We need to receive the completed form before we can issue an acceptance letter.

我們需要收到填寫完整的表格,然後才能發出接受通知書。

 

7.    In your best interest(符合你的最佳利益)

 

例句:

It's really in your best interest to have your lawyer review the contract before you sign it.

讓你的律師在簽訂合同之前先仔細審查合同,這確實符合你的最大利益。

 

8.    Breach of contract(違反契約)

 

(Credit:https://stock.adobe.com

 

  "Breach" 有「違犯;不履行」的意思,它可以作名詞(n.)也可以作為動詞(v.)使用。

 

例句:

The parties involved in a breach of contract may resolve the issue among themselves, or in a court of law.

違反合同的當事方可在彼此之間或在法院解決此問題。

 

9.    Fine print(附屬細則

 

  (*在合約的末尾用較小的字體印刷,很容易被忽略的。)

 

例句:

Remember to read the fine print before you sign.

簽署前,請記住閱讀附屬細則。

 

10.    Terminate a contract(終止契約)

 

  ("Terminate" 的意思是「使⋯⋯結束;終止」,相近的字是 "cease" ,與 "terminate" 一樣意指「停止」,但 "cease" 的語意偏向「暫時終止」,但 "terminate" 指的是「永久結束」。

 

例句:

If you terminate your contract within the first six months, the remaining annual fee will be refunded.

如果您你在頭六個月內終止合同,則將退還剩餘的年費。

 

11.    Fail to comply(未能遵守)

 

  意指不履行合約條款。不遵守合約可能會導致處罰、法律訴訟甚至坐牢。

 

例句:

If you fail to comply with these rules, there is a possibility of a fine or even jail time.

如果你不遵守這些規則,則可能會被罰款甚至入獄。

 

12.    File a lawsuit (提出訴訟)

 

(Credit:https://stock.adobe.com

 

例句:

We will file a lawsuit, if necessary, in order gain access to evidence that can prove who is liable for the accident.

如有必要,我們將提起訴訟,以獲取可以證明誰對事故負責的證據。

 

13.    Null and void(無法律效力的)

 

例句:

This Agreement shall lapse and become null and void if the Offering shall not have been completed on or before July 31, 2020.

如果要約在2022年7月31日或之前尚未完成,則本協議沒有法律效力。

 

14.    Point of negotiation (談判要點)

 

例句:

Your salary is a valid point of negotiation to address at your yearly review.

你的工資是在你的年度審核時需要解決的有效談判要點。

 

Part 2:合約常用句型和詞彙:

 

(Credit:https://stock.adobe.com

 

●    This contract is made in two originals that should be held by each party.

本合同一式兩份,雙方各執一份。

 

●    What is left unmentioned in the contract may be added there as an appendix(附件;附錄).

合同中未提及的內容可以作為附件添加。

 

●    The Contract is written in quadruplicate (two for original and copy respectively) which shall become valid on the date of signature.

本合同一式四份(正本各兩份),自簽字之日起生效。

 

●    This Contract is executed in two counterparts each in Chinese and English, each of which shall be deemed equally authentic.

本合同一式兩份,中英文各一式,具有同等效力。

 

●    This contract is made by and between the buyers and sellers, whereby the buyers agree to buy and the sellers agree to sell the under-mentioned(以下內容). Commodities (商品)according to the terms and conditions stipulated below:

本合同由買賣雙方訂立,買方同意購買,賣方同意出售以下內容。 商品根據以下規定的條款和條件:

 

 

 《經濟通》所刊的署名及/或不署名文章,相關內容屬作者個人意見,並不代表《經濟通》立場,《經濟通》所扮演的角色是提供一個自由言論平台。

【etnet 30周年】多重慶祝活動一浪接一浪,好禮連環賞! ► 即睇詳情

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