一、法律英语特点
1、包含生僻词汇、不常用词义、法律行业术语
例:介词 hereafter herein thereof thereunder therewith
拉丁文 ab initio(自始) quorum(法定人数)de facto(事实上)
法律术语 concurrent estates共有财产 contributory negligence共同过失
lifting the corporate veil 揭开公司面纱
2、句式结构复杂、逻辑严谨
例:According to the Direct Marketing Service Agreement and its Appendix 1:the Order (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Agreement”), the Claimant should provide the marketing data of agreed car lines within the agreed time frame, and the Defendant is entitled to confirm whether the Claimant’s marketing data are qualified and the payment of the marketing data should be based on the Defendant’s confirmation. Therefore, we would to draw the Court’s attention to the following:
-submit on time as stipulated under the Order. (see Appendix 1 of the Agreement: Clause 2, Paragraph 5 of the Order)...(略)
二、合同基本结构
1、首页:name of the contract 合同名称(如:采购协议、框架协议);the parties签订方;contract date(签约日期)
2、目录 table of contents
3、定义 definitions and interpretation
4、合同正文:双方权利和义务条款 rights and obligations
5、陈述与保证 representations and warranties
6、不可抗力和通知 force majeure and notice
7、管辖及争议解决 governing law and dispute resolution
8、期限和终止 term and termination
9、其他 other provisions
10、尾部 concluding part:签署signature
11、合同附件 schedules and exhibits
三、涉外合同注意事项
1、避免合同条款歧义
了解国内外表述及概念差异,选择有利己方的贸易术语。
2、管辖及争议解决
明确约定仲裁的,应注意仲裁委更新规则。当事人可以明示选择涉外民事关系适用的法律。
3、交易习惯差异
在合同中详细描述产品情况、交易条件、产品质量标准、数量、价格、交货时间、付款方式、贸易术语选择等,避免因国内外交易习惯差异对合同理解产生偏差。
4、避免对外贸易违法行为
事先了解合同涉及贸易是否属于国内禁止性、许可性事项。
5、知识产权保护
是否涉及侵犯著作权、专利、商标、地理标志、商业秘密、不正当竞争等领域。
6、关税及税收
了解国内及目的地国关税及税收政策。