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:
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