第三部分、用词方面
多用"shall"代替"will"或"should"加强语气和强制力。合同中,shall并非单纯表示将来时,而常用来表示法律上可强制执行的义务,具有约束力,宜译为“应”、“应该”、“必须”; will无论语气还是强制力要比shall弱,宜译为“将”、“原”、“要”;should通常只用来表示语气较强的假设、比如“万一”。
1、This Contract shall become effective upon and from the date on which it is signed.
本合同签字生效。
2、This Contract shall be written in English in four copies. Each party shall keep two copies.
本合同应以英文写成,一式四份,双方各持两份。
第四部分、用语方面
一、力求严谨,明白无误:
1、The following documents shall be deemed to form and be read and construed as an integral part of this Contract.
下列文件应被认为、读作、解释为本合同的组成部分;
2、This Contract can only be altered, amended or supplemented in accordance with documents signed and sealed by authorized representatives of both parties.
本合同只能按照双方授权代表签名盖章的文件进行修改或增补;
3、All activities of ABC Co. shall be governed by the laws, decrees and pertinent rules and regulations of China.
ABC公司的一切活动必须受中国的法律、法令和有关规章条例的管辖。
二、多用主动语态,少用被动语态:
1、Party B is hereby appointed by Party A as its exclusive sales agent in Singapore. (不宜)
乙方被甲方委托为在新加坡的独家销售代理商;
2、Party A hereby appoints Party B as its exclusive sales agent in Singapore. (适宜)
甲方委托乙方为在新加坡的独家销售代理商;
三、多用现在时,少用将来时,尽管很多条款规定的是合同签订以后的事项:
1、Licensee may terminate this Contract 90 days after a written notice thereof is sent to Licensor upon the happening of one of the following events:
当有下列事件之一发生,被许可人提前90天向许可人发送书面通知后,可以终止合同:
2、Licensor becomes insolvent or a liquidator of Licensor is appointed;
许可人无力偿付债务或其破产清算人以被指定;
3、The patent described in Article 2 is not issued within 30 days from signing this Contract; and
第二条规定的专利未在签约后30天之内发布;
4、Licensor fails to perform its obligations under this Contract.
许可人未能履行其合同义务。
四、直接表达方式用得多,间接表达方式用的较少:
1、This Article does not apply to bondholders who have not been paid in full. (用得少)
本条款不适用于尚未全部偿付的债券持有者。
2、This Article applies only to bondholders who have been paid in full. (用得多)
本条款只适用于已全部偿付的债券持有者。
五、尽量使用一个动词,避免使用“动词+名词+介词”的同意短语:
1、Party A shall make an appointment of its representative within 30 days after signing the Contract.
甲方应于签约后30天内指派其授权代表。宜用appoint代替 make an appointment of.
2、Party A will give consideration to Party B’s proposal of exclusive agency.
甲方愿意考虑乙方独家代理的建议。宜用consider代替give consideration to.