英文合同中的鉴于条款
在写清楚当事人和合同签署时间、地点以后,紧接着应该写明合同签署的背景。这一节有时候会冠以“背景Recital”的标题,有时候则由连续几个“鉴于Whereas”条款组成。无论采取何种形式,这一节都需要说明合同签署的背景以及合同签署的目的。特别是如果合同是对以前某次或某几次合同的补充、修订、发展等,则必须说明各个相关合同之间的关系。通常应该按照时间顺序将之前的各个合同一一列明,并说明各个合同的主题内容和彼此之间的关系。举个例子:
WHEREAS PARTY A and
PARTY B signed a MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING dated February 1, 2004
agreeing to start friendly discussion on establishing a joint
venture to jointly develop the
[PROJECT].
WHEREAS PARTY A and
PARTY B reached initial agreement on establishing a joint venture
to jointly develop the
[PROJECT]
and signed the JOINT VENTURE
HEADS OF AGREEMENT on June 1, 2005.
WHEREAS PARTY A and
PARTY B have agreed to establish a joint venture according to terms
and conditions of this joint venture contract to jointly develop
the
[PROJECT].
对应的中文是:
鉴于,甲方和乙方于2004年2月1日签署《谅解备忘录》,同意就设立合资企业共同开发××项目进行友好协商。
鉴于,甲方和乙方就设立合资企业共同开发××项目初步达成意向,并于2005年6月1日签署了《设立合资企业原则协议》。
鉴于,甲方和乙方同意按照本合营合同的条件和条款设立合资企业,共同开发××项目。
陈述和保证”(Representation
and Warranty)一部分,要求合同方对这些既定事实和欲达到的目的予以保证。而且,关于双方的具体权利和义务,更不应该出现在这一段里。例如,有的合同在“背景”这一段里写:
WHEREAS
PARTY A agrees to deliver the GOODS to PARTY B within three(3) days
in accordance with the prices specified herein;
NOW
THEREFORE, both PARTIES conclude this AGREEMENT as
follows:
甲方同意按合同约定价格在三天内向乙方发货,特签署本协议。
“在三天内向乙方发货”是非常具体的条件和条款,应该在合同正文中专节规定,如果仅仅写在背景这一节,以下没有再提及,则这一义务对乙方是否具有法律约束力存在不确定性。
在签约背景之后,通常由一句几乎一成不变的措辞引出合同主文条款,即NOW THEREFORE, it is agreed by both PARTIES as
follows或
NOW THEREFORE, both PARTIES
agree as follows等。不过,读者在起草合同时应注意,如果一个协议不存在任何对价,根据英国法可能被判为无效,比如,在一些OPTION AGREEMENT,EXCLUSIVITY AGREEMENT等协议中。
为了避免这种风险,建议读者在草拟时采用如下措辞,即In consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings
contained in this AGREEMENT, the PARTIES agree as
follows:(考虑到“双方”在本协议中的相互约定和承诺,双方特议定如下)或“NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual
promise made in this AGREEMENT, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the PARTIES hereto agree as
follows”:或“NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual
promise and agreements contained herein, the PARTIES agree as
follows”。
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