1、Lesson Nine Contract Law2022-10-61Contract Definition nA contract is basically an agreement between two or more people which creates an obligation to do,or not do,something.nThe agreement creates a legal relationship of rights and duties.nIf the agreement is broken,then the law provides certain reme
2、dies.2022-10-62Three FactorsnThere are three factors necessary to create a contract:n1)an offer,2)acceptance,and 3)consideration.nOne party makes an offer,the second party must accept the offer and there must be consideration exchanged.Consideration has to be something of value.2022-10-63Backgroundn
3、Uniform Commercial CodenConsumer Protection StatutesnLabor LawnInsurance Law涉及合同问题涉及合同问题2022-10-66美国合同法美国合同法由法律保证执行由法律保证执行强制执行的限度强制执行的限度法律补救方法法律补救方法Expectation damages预期赔偿金预期赔偿金Agreed upon remedies补救协议补救协议Equitable relief衡平救济衡平救济2022-10-67 TEXTnContract an agreement between two or more persons.nNot
4、merely a shared belief n不仅仅是共有的想法不仅仅是共有的想法nA common understanding as to somethingn而且是对某些未来将要进行的事项有而且是对某些未来将要进行的事项有共同共同的理解的理解2022-10-68Contract nDocument nThe set of papers in which such agreement is set forth.n文件文件陈述契约的一系列文件。陈述契约的一系列文件。2022-10-69For lawyers nContract-an agreement that has legal effe
5、ct.n合同是具有合同是具有法律效力法律效力的契约。的契约。nIt creates obligations for which some sort of legal enforcement will be available if performance is not forthcoming as promised.n它设立了它设立了当不按约履行当不按约履行时，便可由某种时，便可由某种法律强制手段法律强制手段保证实施的保证实施的义务义务。2022-10-610Three elements in a transactioncontractn1.The agreement-in-fact事实协议事
6、实协议n2.The agreement-in-written书面协议书面协议n3.The set of rights and duties 一系列权利与义务一系列权利与义务2022-10-611THE WAYS订立协议和执行协议的方法订立协议和执行协议的方法 The role of lawyers and judgesn1.In creating contractsn在在制定制定合同中的作用；合同中的作用；n2.in deciding disputes that may arise with respect to their performancen在在裁决裁决履行合同时可能出现履行合同时可能
7、出现争议争议时的作用；时的作用；n3.in fashioning appropriate remedies for their breachn在在形成形成对其违约的适当对其违约的适当补救补救时的作用时的作用2022-10-612Property nA great of thing are susceptible“ownership”Tangible 有形的有形的 Intangible 无形的无形的2022-10-613Ring bulldozerGone with the windThe Empire State Building2022-10-614Rights n国家保护该国家保护该“所有
8、人所有人”使用使用、享受享受乃乃至至耗费耗费该物的权利，将所有其他人该物的权利，将所有其他人排排除除在这种权利之外。在这种权利之外。Use Enjoy Consume Exclusion 2022-10-615Real property n不动产不动产Land buildings动产动产personal property2022-10-616http:/ property:nall land,structures,firmly attached and integrated equipment,anything growing on the land,and all interests in
9、the property.npersonal property(personalty):nmovable assets(things,including animals)which are not real property,money or investments.2022-10-617Less tangible property不太有形的资产不太有形的资产nCopyrights 版权版权nPatents 专利权专利权nShares of corporate stock 公司股权公司股权nNegotiable instruments 票据权票据权2022-10-618Any social t
10、hatRecognizes property rightsAlso address the question of how it should respond when someone violates those rights2022-10-619nEven societies that do not permit private ownership of wealth to the degree that ours does are likely to recognize the personal rights of individuals to be free from certain
11、kinds of conduct n即使是那些对财产私有权的许可没有达即使是那些对财产私有权的许可没有达到我们这种程序的到我们这种程序的社会社会，也会，也会承认承认个人个人的人身权利的人身权利不受某种行为的侵犯不受某种行为的侵犯。2022-10-620certain kinds of conductn给人造成身体伤害给人造成身体伤害n其他对个人自由或尊严的侵犯其他对个人自由或尊严的侵犯Infliction of physical injuryOther interferences with freedom or dignity2022-10-621Criminal law vs.tort la
12、wnCriminal law focuses in those violations of personal and property rights that society deems serious enough to be deterred by the threat of severe punishment for their commissionTort law considers what remedy should be made to the individuals so injured2022-10-622Criminal lawtort lawoverlapTreason判
13、国罪判国罪Tax evasion偷税罪偷税罪Slander诽谤诽谤2022-10-623Ownership of propertynInclude the right to use and consume the thing ownedn所有权包括对属于自己的物品所有权包括对属于自己的物品使用和耗费使用和耗费的权利的权利nbe more to the advantage of the owner to transfer the right of the ownership to some other person in exchange for something else of valuen
14、有时所有者以所有权与其他人有时所有者以所有权与其他人交换交换有价值的东西有价值的东西可能可能更有利更有利。2022-10-6242022-10-625nAgreements for exchange are the means by which some resources are assembled and put to productive use.n交换的契约是将一些资源交换的契约是将一些资源组合组合起来，使起来，使之得到之得到有效利用有效利用的手段。的手段。2022-10-626nSome agreement for exchange call for the immediate an
15、d simultaneous exchange of money for goods and services.n有效交换契约要求有效交换契约要求现金与货物、服务现金与货物、服务的的立即和同时交换立即和同时交换。2022-10-627Exchange of significant size涉及到大额交易时涉及到大额交易时nBoth the planning and performance to be spread over a considerable period of timen交易的交易的计划计划和和履行履行都要都要经历相当长的经历相当长的时间时间。2022-10-628The law
16、of contractsnLegal mechanism for protecting the expectations that arise from the making of agreements for the future exchange of various types of performance.n合同法是保护合同法是保护预期预期的的法律机制法律机制，该，该预期预期产生于就未来交易各类产生于就未来交易各类履行履行而而制定的契制定的契约约。转让财产转让财产提供服务提供服务支付货币支付货币2022-10-629nLegal problems do not always fit n
17、eatly into the pigeonholes that legal theorists have created.n法律问题法律问题不可能总是与法理学家所创不可能总是与法理学家所创立的立的分类分类完全相符。完全相符。nFrequently they raise issues involving more than one body of law.n法律问题往往涉及到法律问题往往涉及到不止一部法律不止一部法律。2022-10-630“fraud”conduct欺诈行为欺诈行为Lease agreements between landlord and tenant Property law
18、Contract lawA breach of contractA tort2022-10-631The web of the lawnMay May not not be quite be quite seamlessseamlessn法律之网可能并非结实无缝法律之网可能并非结实无缝nThey are They are not ironclad and unchangingnot ironclad and unchangingn法律并非打不破和不可改变。法律并非打不破和不可改变。2022-10-632Source/authority法律渊源法律渊源 Primary source 首要法源首要
19、法源Secondary source次要法源次要法源 以前的司法判决以前的司法判决成文法成文法法令法令劝导性法源劝导性法源法学家的解释法学家的解释美国法学会的美国法学会的法律注释汇编法律注释汇编2022-10-633首要法源首要法源2022-10-634次要法源次要法源2022-10-635What are Restatements of the Law法律注释汇编法律注释汇编nRestatements are secondary sources that seek to restate the legal rules that constitute the common law in a p
20、articular area.They are written by the American Law Institute(ALI),a prestigious legal organization composed of noted professors,judges and lawyers.The ALI has completed Restatements in 15 areas of law including Torts,Contracts,Property,Conflict of Laws,Foreign Relations Law,and Products Liability.2
21、022-10-636Contract lawnCommon law nJudge-made lawJudge-made lawn法官定法法官定法nRules distilled from a composite of Rules distilled from a composite of court decisions in prior cases.court decisions in prior cases.n从以前案件的各种法官判决意见中从以前案件的各种法官判决意见中抽取出来的规则抽取出来的规则2022-10-637Technical jargon 专业术语专业术语Full of stra
22、nge wordsFamiliar words with unfamiliar or specialized meaningAssumpsit 口头约定口头约定Quantum meruit按合理价格给付按合理价格给付 Consideration对价对价 Offer要约要约2022-10-638Judicial system of decision-making 司法决策体制司法决策体制nStare decisis 遵从前例遵从前例nadherence to past decisions(Precedents)nA prior decision with facts sufficiently s
23、imilar to the case“subjudice”,that the court feels obliged to follow it and to render a similar decision.n以前案例的事实与尚未判决的案件以前案例的事实与尚未判决的案件事实非常事实非常相似相似，法院认为有义务按照前例做出，法院认为有义务按照前例做出类似的类似的判决判决。2022-10-639Stare decisisnLatin for to stand by things decided.Stare decisis is essentially the doctrine of preced
24、ent.Courts cite to stare decisis when an issue has been previously brought to the court and a ruling already issued.Generally,courts will adhere to the previous ruling,though this is not universally true.2022-10-6402022-10-641从两个方面证明以判例法为主从两个方面证明以判例法为主要依据的法律制度的合法性要依据的法律制度的合法性n1.Offers a high degree
25、of predictability of decision n提高了提高了判决的可预见性判决的可预见性程度程度n2.Puts a rein on the nature proclivity of judges to decide cases on the basis of prejudice,personal emotion,or other improper factors.n限制法官在案件判决时以限制法官在案件判决时以偏见、个人情偏见、个人情感或其他不恰当因素感或其他不恰当因素为基础的为基础的自然癖好自然癖好。2022-10-642The characteristic of a syste
26、mnWhich may sometimes be a virtue,sometimes a defect,of being static and conservative,generally oriented toward preservation of the status quo.n遵从前例的制度的特征是遵从前例的制度的特征是静止和守旧静止和守旧，总体上趋向于总体上趋向于保持现状保持现状，这有时是，这有时是优点优点，有时是有时是缺点缺点。2022-10-643Blind adherence nWhen a common law judge concludes that blind adhe
27、rence to precedent would produce an unjust result in the case presented for decision.n普通法法官普通法法官盲目坚持判例盲目坚持判例，也会导致，也会导致对当前案例判决的对当前案例判决的不公正结果不公正结果。2022-10-644避免的方法：避免的方法：nA precedent is considered to be“binding”on a court only if it was decided by that same court or by an appellate court of higher ran
28、k in the same jurisdiction.n同一个管辖区的同一个管辖区的相同法院相同法院或其或其上级巡回上级巡回法院法院作出的先例判决才有作出的先例判决才有约束力约束力。nOther precedents are be“persuasive”.Other precedents are be“persuasive”.n其他判例只具有劝导性。其他判例只具有劝导性。2022-10-645A precedent nIf a precedent of the latter type is in fact unpersuasive,the judge is free to disregard
29、it.n如果后一种类型的判例实际上如果后一种类型的判例实际上没有劝导性没有劝导性，法官可以法官可以忽视该判例忽视该判例。2022-10-646nIf the precedent is not merely persuasive,but binding,it cannot simply be ignored.It may,however,be avoided.n如果判例如果判例不仅有劝导性不仅有劝导性而且有而且有约束力约束力，那么该判例那么该判例不能简单地被忽视不能简单地被忽视，但却可，但却可以以被回避被回避。A precedent 2022-10-647nIf the facts of the
30、 present case do not include a fact that appears to have been necessary(“material”)to the earlier decision,the court may“distinguish”the precedent,render a different decision.n如果以前判决如果以前判决不包含不包含对当前案例有实质对当前案例有实质必要影响的必要影响的事实事实，那么法院可以，那么法院可以“区别区别”前例前例，提出不同的判决提出不同的判决。A precedent 2022-10-648nIf the earli
31、er precedent is indeed binding,but is difficult or impossible to distinguish,there is one other way to avoid its effect.n如果比较早的判例如果比较早的判例确实有约束力确实有约束力，但是，但是难以或无法区别难以或无法区别，有一个其他方法，有一个其他方法避免避免其效力其效力。A precedent 2022-10-649nIf the court of decision is the one that created the precedent(or is a higher co
32、urt),it can simply“overrule”the early decision.n如果判决的法院与作出先例的法院相同，如果判决的法院与作出先例的法院相同，或者比作出先例的法院等级高，它可以或者比作出先例的法院等级高，它可以“推翻推翻”以前的判决。以前的判决。A precedent 2022-10-650Overruling relatively drastic actionnIs usually reserved for instances in which the court feels that the rule established by the earlier prec
33、edent was ill conceived at the outset or it has been outmoded by the later developments.n推翻前例是个推翻前例是个比较激烈的行为比较激烈的行为，一般在，一般在法院觉得以前的判例一开始就法院觉得以前的判例一开始就设计错误设计错误时或者随着以后的发展该判例时或者随着以后的发展该判例不合时宜不合时宜时才采用。时才采用。2022-10-651Contract lawnHistorically,as common law普通法普通法nRather than statute 制定法制定法nException:“stat
34、ute of frauds”n“欺诈条例欺诈条例”是个例外是个例外Requires certain contracts to be evidenced by a signed writing 该条例要求某些合同是该条例要求某些合同是书面合同书面合同。2022-10-652Statute of fraudsnLaw in every state which requires that certain documents be in writing,such as real property titles and transfers(conveyances),leases for more tha
35、n a year,wills and some types of contracts.nThe original statute was enacted in England in 1677 to prevent fraudulent title claims.2022-10-653Statute of fraudsnThe statute of frauds has itself become so overlaid by court decisions that it has more of quality of common law than of a modern statute.n该
36、欺诈条例本身已该欺诈条例本身已添加了添加了如此多的如此多的法法官判决意见官判决意见，以至于它具有的，以至于它具有的普通法普通法的品质的品质已经超过其已经超过其现代制定法现代制定法的品质。的品质。2022-10-654Contract law nEssentially a common law system,except be affected by a remarkable modern statute,the Uniform Commercial Code.n除非受到著名的现代制定法除非受到著名的现代制定法统一商法典统一商法典的影响，合的影响，合同法至今还保留着同法至今还保留着普通法体普通法
37、体系。系。2022-10-655nWhen a court decided a case governed by a statute,its reasoning differs from that used when common law principles are applied.n当法院依照当法院依照制定法制定法判案时，法院的推论判案时，法院的推论与采用与采用普通法普通法原则时是不同的。原则时是不同的。2022-10-656Statute nAny court,even the highest court of the jurisdiction,is bound to follow th
38、e provisions of a valid statute that apply to the dispute before it.n所有法院甚至最高法院都要所有法院甚至最高法院都要依据依据有效的有效的制定法条款制定法条款规定来处理提交到它面前的规定来处理提交到它面前的争议争议。2022-10-657Fundamental political tenet nThe legislature has ultimate lawmaking power so long as its acts within the bounds of its constitutional authority.n社会
39、基本政治原则：只要在社会基本政治原则：只要在宪法授权宪法授权的的范围之内，范围之内，立法机关立法机关有最终的有最终的立法权立法权。Modify修改修改Eliminate废除废除2022-10-658对制定法文字有不同的解释对制定法文字有不同的解释nCourts seek to ascertain the legislatures purpose in enacting it,in order to adopt a construction that will best effectuate that purpose.n法院试图确定法院试图确定立法机关的意图立法机关的意图，以便采，以便采用能用能
40、最好地实现该意图最好地实现该意图的解释。的解释。Legislative historyLegislative history2022-10-659American Law InstitutenFormed in 1923.nPreparation and promulgation of what purported to be accurate and authoritative summaries of the rules of common law in various fields n美国法律协会准备和发布各领域精确的美国法律协会准备和发布各领域精确的权威的权威的普通法规则汇编普通法规则
41、汇编。Restatement注释汇编注释汇编2022-10-660American Law InstitutenThe American Law Institute(ALI)was established in 1923 to define,summarize,or restate existing common law.Between 1923 and 1944,Restatements were adopted for the law of agency,conflict of laws,contracts,judgments,property,restitution,security,t
42、orts,and trusts.2022-10-661The Restatement of Contracts合同法注释汇编合同法注释汇编nThe first and most successful“restatement”nAcceptance and use by the bench and barnAdopted by ALI in 1932.2022-10-662The RestatementnConsists of“black-letter”statements of the“general rule”n关于关于“一般规则一般规则”的的“黑体字黑体字”陈述陈述nSupported w
43、ith at least some commentary and illustrationn 至少有几个至少有几个注释注释和和例证例证作补充作补充nDont have the force of lawn没有法律效力没有法律效力2022-10-663The RestatementsnSecondary authority 次要法源次要法源nRemarkably persuasive 非常有说服力非常有说服力nA court often justify its decision by simply citing and quoting The Restatements rule on a give
44、n point.n法院经常通过援引和引用法院经常通过援引和引用注释汇编的原注释汇编的原则则来来证明证明自己在某一案例中自己在某一案例中判决的正确判决的正确性性。2022-10-664In 1962,ALI began to prepare a revised of its RestatementnThe Restatement(second)of contracts was adopted in 1979.n与第一版比，第二版更强调与第一版比，第二版更强调多样化多样化和和灵活性灵活性，建议要给予法官更多的，建议要给予法官更多的自由自由裁决权裁决权。A freer rein for judici
45、al discretion2022-10-665nHave clearly had a powerful effect in shaping judicial views of what the common law of contract ought to be.n合同法注释汇编在合同法注释汇编在有关合同的普通法有关合同的普通法应应该是怎么样的这一司法观念形成方面该是怎么样的这一司法观念形成方面有有强力的作用强力的作用。The Restatement of Contracts2022-10-666Secondary authorityPublished articlesBooks Treat
46、ises Analyze分析分析 Evaluate评价评价Synthesize综合综合The immense body of contract cases 2022-10-667Authors of these worksnHave sought to clarify the law,to propose solutions for unsolved issues,and in some cases to argue for legal change.n这些论著的作者们试图这些论著的作者们试图阐明法律阐明法律，为，为尚未解决的问题尚未解决的问题提出解决方案提出解决方案，有时，有时就法律改革进行
47、热烈而有效的就法律改革进行热烈而有效的争论争论。2022-10-668nSuch legal commentary has been extremely influential in shaping the course of the common law of contract.n这些这些法律评论法律评论大大地影响着大大地影响着有关合同的有关合同的普通法普通法的发展方向。的发展方向。2022-10-669Professional words and termsnUniform Commercial CodenConsumer Protection StatutesnLabor LawnIns
48、urance LawnOffer，acceptance,considerationnContract performancenContract interpretation2022-10-670nBreach nRemedy damagesnExpectation damagesnAgreed upon remediesnEquitable reliefnTangible,Intangible propertynReal property,personal property2022-10-671Treason,Tax evasion,SlanderOwnership of propertyLe
49、gal mechanismFraudPrimary source,Secondary sourceRestatements of the LawStare decisisPrecedents2022-10-672 preservation of the status quo“statute of frauds”Uniform Commercial Codeconstitutional authorityAmerican Law InstituteThe Restatement of Contractsjudicial discretion2022-10-673Exercises1.Questions about the text2.Listening comprehension3.Discussion 2022-10-674nLaw is order,and good law is good order.Aristole,Ancient Greek philosopher法律就是秩序，有好的法律才有好法律就是秩序，有好的法律才有好的秩序。的秩序。古希腊哲学家古希腊哲学家 亚里士多德亚里士多德2022-10-675
