Тема: Контракт

Контракт и контрактные обязательства

Study the words and the word-combinations.

contractual obligations [kǝn'trækt∫uǝl] — контрактные обязательства;

concerned — имеющий отношение;

arrive at an agreement — прийти к соглашению;

provisions [prǝ'vɪʒǝnz] — положения;

void [vɔɪd] — аннулировать; недействительный;

consider void — считать не имеющим силы;

duress [djuǝ'res] — принуждение;

unconscionable bargain [ʌn'kɔn∫ǝnǝbǝl 'bа:gɪn] — незаконная сделка;

minor ['maɪnǝ] — несовершеннолетний подросток;

ill-considered — необдуманный;

profit — получить прибыль;

distress [dɪs'tres] — несчастье;

irresponsibility — безответственность;

inexperience — неопытность;

disproportionately [dɪsprǝ'pɔ:∫ǝnɪtli] — непропорциональнo;

advantageous — выгодный;

civil wrong — гражданский вред;

cofer [kǝn'fǝ:] – даровать;

illicit – незаконный;

performance [pǝ'fɔ:mǝns] — выполнение;

contractual [kǝn'trækt∫uǝl] — договорный;

overbalance / unbalance — вывести из равновесия;

intractable [ɪn'træktǝbl] — неподатливый;

chargeable ['t∫а:dʒǝbl] — относимый на счет;

natural disasters ['næt∫ǝrǝl dɪ'zа:stǝz] — стихийные бедствия;

economy [i:'kɔnǝmi] — структура;

catastrophe [kǝ'tæstrǝfi] — катастрофа;

relief [rɪ'li:f] — освобождение от обязанностей;

anticipate — предвидеть;

relative to — относительно;

benefit — извлекать пользу;

interject — вставлять

I. Read and translate the text.

The assumption of contractual obligations

Contract is a promise enforceable in law. The promise may be to do something or to refrain from doing something. The making of a contract requires the mutual assent of two or more persons, one of them usually making an offer and another accepting. Much of the law of contract is concerned with ensuring that agreements are arrived at in a way that meets at least minimum standards respecting both parties’ understanding of, and freedom to decide whether to enter into, the transactions. Such provisions include rules that void contracts made under duress (illegal or unfair threats) or that are unconscionable bargains. Contract law holds protection for minors and incompetents. [Minor is someone who is below the age at which they become legally responsible for their actions. Incompetent is someone not having the ability or skill to do their job properly.] Contract law contains formal requirements protecting against the ill-considered (have not been carefully thought about) assumption of obligation. Thus, section 138 of the German Civil Code considers void any contract “whereby a person profiting from the distress, irresponsibility, or inexperience of another” obtains a disproportionately advantageous bargain. [Distress is a feeling of extreme worry and unhappiness. Irresponsibility is the state of doing careless things without thinking or worrying about the possible bad results. Inexperience is lack of experience.] By the law of contract certain agreements are illegal, for example, an agreement to commit a civil wrong or the assumption of a legally binding obligation to confer a gift of money upon another. Contractual obligations must not include or encourage secret illicit services.

II. Restore the word order in the following statements.

1) Contract law contracts made under voids duress. 2) Contract law unconscionable voids bargains. 3) Contract protects law minors. 4) Contract law incompetents protects. 5) Contract protects law against the ill-considered assumption of contractual obligation. 6) Contract voids contracts to commit a civil law wrong.

III. Agree or disagree with the following statements.

1) Contract law annuls contracts made under compulsion. 2) Contract law cancels contracts made under legal or fair threatening. 3) Contract law encourages corrupt bargains. 4) Contract law protects those who do a lot of complicated, often dishonest deals, especially in business or politics. 5) Contract law protects double-dealers. 6) Contract law requires protection against the deliberate assumption of obligation. 7) Contract law considers legally valid any contract whereby a person profiting from the distress of another obtains a disproportionately advantageous bargain. 8) Contract law forbids bribes. 9) Contract law stimulates givers of bribes and takers of bribes. 10) Minor is someone who is legally responsible for his or her actions. 11) Incompetent is someone not having the ability or skill to do their job properly. 12) Competence is a skill needed to do a particular job. 13) Distress is the state of being happy. 14) Responsibility is a duty to be in charge of or look after something, so that you make decisions and can be blamed if something bad happens.

IV. Translate the following words and phrases from Russian into English.

Совершать; гражданский вред; юридически обязательный; даровать; контрактные обязательства; имеющий отношение к; обеспечивать; прийти к соглашению; уважать; положения; аннулировать; недействительный; несовершеннолетние подростки; некомпетентный; необдуманный; принятие на себя; посредством чего; получить прибыль; считать не имеющим силы; принуждение; незаконная сделка; несчастье; безответственность; неопытность; получать; несоразмерно; выгодный; незаконный.

V. Complete the following statements. Retell the text “The assumption of contractual obligations”.

1) Contract law is concerned with … 2) Contract law voids contracts … 3) Contract law holds … 4) Contract law contains … 5) Contract law considers void … 6) Contract law voids an agreement … 7) Contract law voids the assumption of … 8) Contractual obligations must not include or encourage …

VI. Read and translate the text.