Guide to Legal Contracts = Английский язык для юристов договорное право. Учебное пособие по английскому языку для студентов юридических вузов

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GRAMMAR REFERENCE

I.  Match the following terms with their definitions:

II.  Translate the following sentences into Russian paying attention to the words in black type:

1. A contract may involve a duty to do or refrain from doing something, and the failure to perform such duty is called a breach of contract.

2.  The law provides remedies if a promise is breachedaiming to restore the person wronged to the position they would occupy if the contracthadnotbeenbreached,ratherthanpunishthebreachingparty.

3. A contract may be express or implied. An express contract is one, whose terms are stated in words. An implied contract is one, the existence and terms of which are manifested by conduct.

4. Aunilateral contract is one in which there is a promise to pay or give other consideration in return for actual performance.

5. A bilateral contract is one in which a promise is exchanged for a promise.

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6.  In most cases contracts can be either written or oral, but oral contracts are more difficult to prove and in most jurisdictions the time to sue on the contract is shorter.

7.  To be legally binding as a contract, a promise must be exchanged for adequate consideration. Adequate consideration is a benefit or detriment which a party receives which reasonably and fairly induces them to make the promise/contract.

III.  Complete this text, which has been adapted from the A & C Black Dictionary of Law, with words or expressions from the box

writing      accepted      agreement      breach

Acontract can be defined as ‘an __________ between two or more parties to create legal __________ between them’. Some contracts are made ‘__________’: in other words, they are __________ and sealed (stamped) by the parties involved. Most contracts are made

__________ or in __________. The essential elements of a contract are: (a) that an __________ made by one party should be __________

by the other; (b) __________ (the price in money, goods or some other

__________, paid by one party in exchange for another party agreeing to do something); (c) the __________ to create legal relations. The __________ of a contract may be __________ (clearly stated) or __________ (not clearly __________ in the contract, but generally understood). A __________ of contract by one party of their

__________ entitles the other party to __________ for __________

or,insomecases,toseekspecificperformance.Insuchcircumstances, the contract may be __________ (in other words, it becomes invalid).

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IV.  There are many different kinds of contract for different situations. Look at the following paragraphs, and decide what kind of contract is being described or talked about.

1)  I went into the supermarket and chose the items that I wanted. As soon as my basket was full, I headed for the checkout.

________________

2)  My cousin Bob said he was going to get rid of his computer and buy a new one. I said that I needed a computer and suggested I bought his old one. Anyway, we agreed on a price, I gave him a £50 deposit, and agreed to pay the balance in instalments over the next three months. I’m going round to collect the computer this evening.

_____________________

3)  The property is unfurnished, and the rent is £650 pcm, which has to be paid monthly in arrears. Electricity, gas and phone bills are extra. There’s a communal garden and a communal parking area, for which I also have to pay a nominal maintenance fee. The landlord is responsible for any repairs to the property. I’m not allowed to sublet at any time. I’ve signed the lease for 18 months.

________________

4)  We’re opening our own branch in the town centre next week. The deal is fairly simple: we get the right to use the company’s name, their trademark, their trade names and products, wear their uniforms and use their stationery. They also provide our staff with all the necessary training, give us invaluable managerialassistance and provide advertising materials. In return, we have to meet specific requirements, such as quality of service, maintaining good customer relations, and following the company’s standard procedures. Oh, and buy all the products we sell from them, naturally. __________________

5)  The total amount you are borrowing is £9,000 at an APR of 6.6%. Repaid in monthly instalments over 3 years, this gives you a monthly repayment figure of £275.46, totalling £9,916.56.You have opted out of the repayment protection premium scheme. If you wish to make an early settlement, the figure above will be recalculated accordingly.As soon as you sign a form, your funds will be released into your bank account. Please note that penalties will be applied if you default on repayments. _________________

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6)  This appointment is for a period of two years, following a 4-week probationary period. Your remuneration package includes an annual gross salary of £32,000. You are entitled to sick pay and 6 weeks annual leave after you have been with us for 3 months. Your hours of work are 9 to 5 Monday to Friday, although you may be asked to work overtime during busy periods. The company has its own medical and pension schemes which you may join.

_____________________

7)  The total cost is £2,870, which is payable in full before the goods can be despatched. Alternatively, we can arrange credit terms, which are interest-free for the first six months. All goods are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, which is valid for one year. If you are not happy with your merchandise, it can be returned for an exchange or full refund (but please note that this is valid for 28 days only, and we will need to see your receipt or other proof of purchase).

_____________________

8) A group 7M people carrier is £58 a day. This price includes unlimited mileage, fully comprehensive insurance, collision damage waiver and loss damage waiver. The company has drop-off points in most major cities, but will charge extra if you use a different one from that where you picked up the vehicle. A refuelling service charge will be applied if you do not replace the fuel you have used.

___________________

VI.  Read the text again and decide if the statements are TRUE or FALSE:

1)  Formal contracts under seal have lost some force due to court rulings regarding informal contracts.

2)  Contracts enforceable in law can be expressed orally or in writ-

ing.

3)  Implied contracts, both in fact and in law, cause no problems to prove in court.

4) An executed contract is a wrong or inaccurate term as the completion of performances by the parties signifies that a contract no longer exists.

5)  In a unilateral contract both parties are equally legally responsible.

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6) As to the validity of contracts they may be valid, void, voidable, executed or executory.

7) Avoidcontractcannotbeenforcedbythepartywhichdidn’texpress an acceptance to the offer.

8)  Voidable as well as void contracts can be performed under some conditions.

VII.  Render the text:

Договор как основа коммерческих обязательств

Понятие и сущность договора в полном объеме регламентируются гражданским законодательством, которым проводится четкая грань между сделками и договорами. Общеизвестно, что каждый договор есть сделка, но не каждая сделка является договором.

Договор – это соглашение двух или нескольких лиц, направленное на установление, изменение или прекращение гражданских правоотношений. Он возникает всегда в результате выражения воли двумя или несколькими лицами. Волеизъявление указанных лиц должно быть взаимно согласованным. Договором является не любое соглашение лиц, а только такое, которое имеет целью вызвать юридические последствия, а именно, возникновение, регулирование, изменение или прекращение гражданских прав и обязанностей. Классификация договоров проводится по различным признакам, которые, как правило, закреплены

в­законе.

Взависимости от характера распределения прав и обязанностей между сторонами договоры делятся на односторонние и двусторонние или взаимные. Это различие совпадает с делением обязательств.

Не следует смешивать классификацию договоров с аналогичной классификацией сделок. Сделки подразделяются на односторонние и двусторонние в зависимости от числа волеизъявлений, необходимых для ее возникновения, а договоры – по характеру распределения прав и обязанностей. Любой договор – двусторон-

няя сделка, поскольку для ее возникновения требуется согласо-

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ванное волеизъявление двух или нескольких лиц. Односторонний же договор отличается от односторонней сделки тем, что для ее возникновения достаточно волеизъявления одной стороны, одного лица, а для одностороннего договора необходимо согласование воли не менее чем двумя лицами.

Односторонний договор исполняется только должником, т. е. одной стороной.

VIII.  Translate into Russian the following phrases:

Reference to particular kinds of contracts; a given contract may fit into more than one category; the terms of the contract are wholly or partly inferred from conduct; the promise to pay is implied by the conduct of the parties; the manner in which assent is manifested; one party makes a promise in exchange for the other party’s performing an act; to accept the offer by performing the requested act; there is more time for the offeror to revoke (cancel) the offer; a judgment for monetary damages; because of a failure to comply with some other legal requirement; to have damages for any loss caused by the fraud; a person lacks contractual capacity; the legal effect of seal has been abolished.

IX.  Make the following sentences complete by translating the words and phrases in brackets:

1.  Today, the most common formal contracts are (оборотные кредитно-денежные документы).

2.  (Подлежащийисполнениюконтракт)isonethatistobeperformed.

3.  (Не снабженный исковой силой контракт) is one meeting the basic requirements of mutual assent, consideration, legal objects and parties with (обладающие способностью заключать договор)

4.  (Двусторонний контракт) is one in which both parties make promises.

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5.  (Подразумеваемый контракт) is one in which the terms of the contract are wholly or partly (выводятся исходя из) conduct or from surrounding circumstances.

6. Agiven contract may (соответствовать) more than one category.

7.  Many people think of a contract as a (письменное соглашение) between people. However there are many kinds of (устных соглашений) between people which the law of most countries describes as (договоры).

8.  One of the most common (юридических исков) is to claim that the contract has existed and that one of the parties is in (нарушает договор).

9.  There are many everyday (сделок) which most people never think of as contracts.

10.  In order that the agreement should be a contract (стороны) must have shown an intention that their agreement should have legal consequences.

11.  In order that a (надлежаще оформленный договор) between the (cторонами) should come into existance certain essential requirements must be fulfilled.

12.  The simple contract must be supported by (встречное удов-

летворение).

13.  In many systems of law there is a written code stating exactly what is required to make a contract and what (права и обязательства) of contracters are.

X.  Choose the correct answer:

1.An agreement that is made either verbally or in writing is known as a(n):

a)  express contract b)  mutual consent c)  implied contract d)  all of the above

2.Which of the following are classifications of contracts? a)  Valid

b)  Unenforceable

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c)  Voidable

d) All of the above

3.Which of the following is NOT considered a basic element of any contract?

a)  Enforcement b)  Mutual consent c)  Capacity

d)  Consideration

4.Consideration can best be described as: a)  money paid in a contract

b)  good will

c)  anything of value

d)  not necessary in a valid contract

5.What is always true about a counter offer? a)  It is made by the buyer

b)  It is made by the seller

c)  It terminates the previous offer d)  The previous offer is still valid

6.If one of the parties doesn’t go through with a contract (nonperformance), it is called a(n):

a)  assignment b)  breach

c)  consideration d)  operation of law

7.Awritten contract between two parties is: a)  express and unilateral

b)  implied and bilateral c)  express and bilateral d)  implied and unilateral

8.If a contract is said to be “executory,” it: a)  is court ordered

b)  has not yet been performed

c)  has been discharged or performed d)  has not yet been signed

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