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РАЗДЕЛ 3 МОДЕЛИ, СИСТЕМЫ, СЕТИ В ПРИРОДЕ И ОБЩЕСТВЕ
УДК 339
КОНТРАКТНОЕ ПРАВО. СТРУКТУРА КОНТРАКТА
М. В. Головушкина, О. С. Воячек
CONTRACT LAW. STRUCTURE OF COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS
M. V. Golovushkina, O. S. Vojachek
Аннотация. Расширение профессиональных контактов благодаря вхождению России во Всемирную торговую организацию повысило потребность в специалистах (юристах и экономистах), свободно владеющих иностранным языком и ориентирующихся в нюансах международного права и контрактного права стран - участниц ВТО. Цель данной работы - исследовать понятие «договорное право», показать особенности составления контрактов, сравнить структуру английских и российских коммерческих контрактов. По результатам исследования авторами делается вывод о том, что структура английских и российских коммерческих контрактов имеет ряд сходств и различий и что в процессе обучения преподаватель должен обратить внимание студентов на специфические черты английского договорного права.
Ключевые слова: Всемирная торговая организация, договорное право, коммерческий контракт, экономист, юридическое соглашение.
Abstract. Professional contacts' development after the entrance of Russia into the World Trade Organization increased the necessity in specialists (lawyers and economists) possessing good knowledge of English and knowing all aspects of international law and contract law of WTO participants. The aim of this investigation is to find out the notion of «contract law» in the English language, to show the peculiarities of forming contracts, compare the structure English and Russian commercial contracts. As a result of investigation the authors draw a conclusion that the structure of Russian and English commercial contracts has some differences and similarities. And during educational process the teacher should pay students' attention to the secularities of English contract law.
Key words: World Trade Organization, contract law, commercial contract, economist, legal agreement.
In today's world, the World Trade Organization (WTO) indicates a growing trend towards globalization in all aspects of life, especially the economy. Professional contacts' development after the entrance of Russia into the World Trade Organization increased the necessity in economists possessing good knowledge of English and knowing all aspects of International law. Currently in business practice our society needs economists and lawyers who can easily orient in any aspects international contract law and will be able to form commercial contracts with international companies.
Students of the Economics faculty should be acquainted with the basic principles of English contract law and the structure of a commercial contract. The basic principles of contract law in the English system arise from established custom and rules and are fundamental to all areas of law in practice. Future economists should be acquainted with the basic principles of drafting and interpreting the provisions of any legal agreement, such as a lease, a loan agreement, a sale agreement, a consultancy agreement, a hire purchase agreement, a hire contract, etc. The principles of contract law will determine whether and at what point a binding agreement has been made between the parties concerned.
Formation of a contract requires the presence of four essential elements: offer, acceptance, consideration and intention. The contract must contain the basic terms of agreement and be capable of acceptance without further negotiation. This does not mean that the initial communication between parties will in itself constitute an offer. The offer is submitted by the purchaser, who offers to purchase at a specified price and will usually incorporate the terms of the invitation to treat into his/her offer.
There must be unqualified agreement to proceed on the basis set out in the offer and it must be communicated to the offeror in order to be effective. If the offeree states that he or she accepts the offer subject to contract, that is, some variation in the terms, then no contract is formed. This would be a qualified acceptance, which constitutes a counter offer [1, p. 68].
In order to avoid uncertainty, the offer may specify the method and timing of acceptance. Agreement on essential terms, for example price and delivery, must be certain and not vague. The reception rule applies to instantaneous forms of communication, for example telephone calls. The contract is formed when the acceptance is received by the offeror. The postal acceptance rule, where there is a delay between the communication being sent and received, for example by post. The contract is said to be formed when the acceptance is sent by the offeree [1, p. 68]. So to form a contract future economists should get to know about the contract law.
A simple contract requires consideration - the price in exchange for a promise to do something - and becomes effective on execution, usually when it is signed. For a contract to be enforceable, a price of goods or services must be given.
Intention is assumed that contracting parties intend to create legal relations, particularly in commercial circumstances. This is, however, a rebuttal presumption -an assumption that can be contradicted - if there is contrary evidence.
Most written contracts have a similar structure consisting of certain essential clauses, irrespective of the subject matter of the contract. The structure of Russian and English commercial contracts has some differences not only in the content but also in the order of paragraphs' sequence. In future professional practice students will deal with Russian companies' contracts translated into English and English commercial contracts with their Russian originals.
Usually a commercial contract in the UK contains a brief introduction which describes the nature of the agreement, for example «This Agreement for sale of...» or «This Share Agreement.». The commercial clause will state the date on which the provisions, or conditions of the contract, ate to come into effect. The date is usually inserted in the relevant space at completion - the last stage in the formation of a contract.
Then the full details of parties are set out. In the case of a company, the registered number is included. This remains unchanged during the life of the company despite any changes of name or registered office.
Original Translation
THIS AGREEMENT is made the 1st day of October 2013 BETWEEN Green Boots Limited having its registered office at 104 Warren Street, London, (hereinafter referred to as «the Purchasers» of the first part) and Matching Socks Limited having registered office at 6 Heel Street, Manchester (hereinafter referred to as «the Vendors» of the second part). Данное соглашение составлено 1 октября 2013 г. между «Green Boots Limited», зарегистрированной по адресу: 104 Warren Street, Лондон (именуемое в дальнейшем «Покупатель», с одной стороны), и Matching Socks Limited, зарегистрированной по адресу: 6 Heel Street, Манчестер (именуемая в дальнейшем «Продавец», с другой стороны).
Original Translation
Москва «1» сентября 2013 г. В/О «Экспорт-импорт», г. Москва, именуемое в дальнейшем «Продавец», с одной стороны, и ООО «Тандер», именуемое в дальнейшем «Покупатель», с другой стороны, заключили настоящий контракт о нижеследующем. Moscow «September, 1», 2013 V^ «Export-import», Moscow, hereinafter referred to as the «Sellers», on the part and Ltd «Tander» hereinafter referred to as the «Buyers», on the other part, have concluded the present Contract on the following.
Recitals are also known as Background or Preamble. These paragraphs are traditionally introduced by the word whereas (conventionally, key words are in capital letters or have an initial capital) [1, p. 72]. The recitals consist of a statement of background facts and the reasons why parties are to enter into the contract. Related or preceding transactions may be referred to. If a later dispute arises concerning the operative part, the recitals may be used to determine construction, that is, interpret intentions.
Original Translation
WHEREAS the Vendors have agreed to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser has agreed to purchase, the entire issued share capital of Green Boots Limited («the Company») on the terms set out in this Agreement. Поскольку Продавец согласился продать Покупателю, а Покупатель согласился купить весь выпущенный компанией Green Boots Limited акционерный капитал на условиях, установленных данным соглашением.
Original Translation
Предмет контракта Продавец продал, а Покупатель купил на условиях товары в соответствии со спецификацией, приложенной к настоящему контракту и являющейся неотъемлемой его частью. Subject of Contract The Sellers have sold and the Buyers have bought on terms the goods in accordance with the Specification(s) attached to the present Contract and constituting an integral part thereof.
Operative provisions are often introduced by the expression «The Parties hereby Agree as follows...» or similar words, for example «Where it is Agreed as follows...». These words signal the start of the operative part of the contract, con-
taining various clauses which create rights and obligations, or crate and transfer interests in property. Operative provisions in more complex agreements may refer to more detailed Schedules.
Original Translation
THEREFORE the parties Have Agreed and Hereby CONTRACT AND AGREE as follows: Следовательно, стороны пришли к соглашению и таким образом согласились о следующем:
There are no operative provisions in Russian commercial contracts.
Definitions state the meaning to be attributed to terms essential to the contract -the defined terms. Most defined terms are conventionally given capital initial letters, for example Security Document or Completion Date. In the absence of a definition, words within the contract will be given their ordinary and natural meaning.
Original Translation
«the Schedule» The Schedule in four Parts annexed and signed as relative to this Agreement. «the Buyer» shall mean the purchaser of the goods from the Company. Опись из четырех частей прилагается и подписана как приложение к этому соглашению. Покупатель будет обозначать приобретателя товаров компании.
In Russian commercial contracts annex can be annexed at the end of a contract.
The aim of interpretation is to assist in the construction of the whole contract by referring to specific uses. There are a number of provisions included in most contracts, for example «Words denoting the singular include the plural meaning and vice versa».
Original Translation
The masculine includes the feminine and vice versa Мужской род подразумевает женский род, и наоборот.
There is no interpretation as a segment in Russian commercial contracts, but through the whole text of the contract there are some explanations and interpretations.
The pre-conditions must be satisfied in order for the agreement, or the relevant parts of it, to come into effect, for example the grant of planning permission. The conditions precedent clause stipulates, or imposes obligations on the relevant party to procure the satisfaction of the condition and provide a date by which time the condition precedent must be satisfied. It is usual for an agreement to terminate automatically if this is not achieved by the specified date.
Original Translation
The sale and purchase hereby agreed is conditional upon and subject to the following conditions being satisfied on or before the Completion Date: - Таким образом, согласованная покупка и продажа обусловлена и является основанием для удовлетворения следующих условий до срока исполнения контракта:
Original Translation
Прочие условия: 1. Ни одна из сторон не имеет права передавать третьему лицу права и обязательства по настоящему контракту без письменного согласия другой стороны. 2. Все изменения и дополнения к настоящему контракту действительны лишь в том случае, если они совершены в письменной форме и подписаны обеими сторонами. 3. После подписания настоящего контракта все предыдущие переговоры и переписка по нему теряют силу [2, p. 325]. Other Conditions: 1. Neither Party shall be entitled to transfer their rights and obligations under the present Contract to any third Party without the written consent of the other Contract Party. 2. Any alterations and addenda to the present Contract shall be valid only if they are made in written form and duly signed by both Parties. 3. After signing the present Contract all the preliminary negotiations and correspondence concerning it are to be considered invalid.
The consideration is provided by the parties.
Original Translation
The consideration for the sale and purchase of the Contract Shares shall be the net asset value of the Company plus £350,000 for goodwill. Компенсацией за срыв покупки или продажи будет стоимость чистых активов плюс £350,000 за потерю репутации компании.
Legal addresses of the Parties are written at the end of the contract.
Original Translation
Юридические адреса сторон Покупатель: Продавец: Настоящий контракт составлен в двух экземплярах на русском и английском языках, причем оба текста имеют одинаковую силу. Контракт вступает в силу с даты его подписания. Покупатель Продавец [2, p. 325] Legal addresses of the Parties The Buyers: The Sellers: The present Contract is made in two copies, each in Russian and English, both texts being equally authentic. The Contract comes into force from the date of its signing. The Buyers: The Sellers:
In conclusion we can say that the structure of Russian and English commercial contracts has some differences and similarities. And during educational process the teacher should pay students' attention to these secularities of English contract law.
References
1. Gillian D. Brown, Sally Rice. Professional English in Use. Law. / Gillian D. Brown, Sally Rice - CAMBRIDGE University press, 2007.
2. Левитан, К. М. Юридический перевод: основы теории и практики : учеб. пособие / К. М. Левитан. - М. : Проспект ; Екатеринбург : Уральская государственная юридическая академия, 2011. - 352 с.
Головушкина Марина Владимировна
кандидат педагогических наук, доцент, кафедра английского языка, Пензенский государственный университет E-mail: marina52004@mail.ru
Воячек Ольга Станиславовна старший преподаватель, кафедра английского языка, Пензенский государственный университет E-mail: voyachekos@gmail.com
УДК 339 Головушкина, М. В.
Контрактное право. Структура контракта / М. В. Головушкина, О. С. Воячек // Модели, системы, сети в экономике, технике, природе и обществе. - 2014. - № 1 (9). -С. 132-137.
Golovushkina Marina Vladimirovna candidate of pedagogical science, associate professor, sub-department of english language, Penza State University
Vojachek Ol'ga Stanislavovna master teacher,
sub-department of english language, Penza State University
