simpkinsvpays1955相互有密切关系但并非亲戚的人订立的合同.ppt

Chapter 4 Establishing contractual obligations 1.1Definition of contract Fast Forward Key terms: A contract may be defined as an agreement which legally binds the parties. 合同是双方当事人经协商一致或意思表示一致(合意)达成的协议,对双方均有法律约束力.一旦违反合同的约定,应承担相应的法律责任(违约责任). 我们每天都在缔结若干合同关系． 1.2 The essentials of a contract 合同的要素 The three essential elements are agreement (offer and acceptance)（要约与承诺）, consideration（对价） and intention to enter into legal relation（建立法律关系的意图）. The courts will usually look for evidence of these elements. 以上三个要素是合同得以成立并生效的最重要的因素，但还有一些因素会影响合同的效力(validity)。 1.3Validity factors 影响合同效力的因素 Form：合同形式 Terms (Content)：合同内容 consent：真实的同意 Legality：合法性(不违反法律的强制性规定或公共政策) Capacity：缔约能力 Key terms: 效力存在瑕疵的合同 Void contract　无效合同，不产生法律上的权利；自始即属无效；绝对不具有法律约束力，如无对价的合同； Voidable contract　可撤销合同，该合同可由当事人之一方（往往是合同关系中受损害或处于弱势的一方）选择而被确认（即为有效的合同）或撤销（即为无效的合同）。如以欺诈＼胁迫方式达成，因虚假陈述而订立的合同。未成年人（minor or infant）参与的合同等； Unenforceable contract　不可强制执行的合同，本身为有效合同，但由于存在某些技术上的缺陷，而无法强制执行．例如，根据《防止欺诈法》，合同须具备书面证据，则缺乏书面证据的合同即属于不可强制执行的合同。这种合同目前存在于保证合同与土地权益买卖合同中。 1.4Factors affecting the modern contract Inequality of Bargaining power Many contracts are made between experts and ordinary consumers. The law will intervene only where the formers takes unfair advantage of his position and not simply because one was in an inferior bargaining position. Freedom of contract: 合同自由原则,当事人在不违反法律的强制性规定的前提下,对于是否缔约,选择缔约对象,缔约内容,形式等拥有自由. 并无绝对的合同自由．有限制．特别是当事人的谈判实力存在较大差距时. 2. Form of a contract As a general rule, a contract may be made in any form. It may be written, or oral, or inferred from the conduct of the parties. Writing is only necessary in some certain circumstances: some contracts by deed, in writing, evidenced in writing. 2.4 Contracts by deed Deed: 契据合同，盖印合同，由当事人签字＼盖印并交付的书面文据，它记载一项契约或约定，表示当事人愿意转移某项地产权利，或设定某项义务，或确认某项转让地产权利的行为。多用于土地转让，无对价合同（赠与）等。 A contract by deed include leases, conveyance, a promise not supported by consideration. A contract by deed must be in writing and it must be signed. 2.5contracts which must be