英文合同的生效日和有效期條款

一、 以合同的生效日作為計算基準日 合同的生效日期在合同中非常重要,合同有效期一般都是以合同生效日作為基準日。合同中約定的當事人的權利義務享有或承擔的起始日期都是以合同的生效日作為計算基準日。 如: The BUYER shall make an advance payment of

一、       以合(he)同的生效日作為計算(suan)基準日

 

合(he)同的(de)(de)生(sheng)效日(ri)期在合(he)同中非常重要,合(he)同有效期一般都(dou)是(shi)以合(he)同生(sheng)效日(ri)作為基(ji)(ji)準日(ri)。合(he)同中約定的(de)(de)當事人(ren)的(de)(de)權利(li)義(yi)務享(xiang)有或承擔的(de)(de)起始日(ri)期都(dou)是(shi)以合(he)同的(de)(de)生(sheng)效日(ri)作為計算基(ji)(ji)準日(ri)。

如:

The BUYER shall make an advance payment of twenty million US Dollars ($2,000,000.00) to the SELLER within fifteen (15) days after the EFFECTIVE DATE of this PURCHASE and SALES CONTRACT.

買方在(zai)采購合(he)同生效之(zhi)日起15個(ge)工作日內向賣方支付200萬美元的預付款。

 

再如:The CONTRACTOR shall complete WORK within six (6) months after the EFFECTIVE DATE of this DESIGN CONTRACT.

承包(bao)商自本設(she)計(ji)合同生(sheng)效之日起六個月內完成(cheng)工作。

 

 本合同的有效期從合同生效日起算共_____年。 
 The Contract shall be valid for a period of ____ years from the Date of Effectiveness of the Contract.
 

如:This AGREEMENT shall commence on 7th, November 2007(“EFFECTIVE DATE”) and shall maintain in full force and effect for three(3) years after the EFFECTIVE DATE。

本合(he)同自2007年(nian)11月7日生(sheng)效,有效期為三年(nian)。

 

為避免爭(zheng)議,一般在草擬合同(tong)時直接在合同(tong)中約(yue)定(ding)(ding)生效日,這種約(yue)定(ding)(ding)主要有以下幾種表達方式:

  例1     在(zai)定義部(bu)分,就“生(sheng)效日”進行定義,如:

  EFFECTIVE DATE means the date on which the CONTRACT, after it is signed, be approved by the Ministry of Commerce of the People?s Republic of China.

 本合同生(sheng)效(xiao)日是中(zhong)華(hua)人(ren)民共和國商務部批準之(zhi)日。

 

  例2     在合同中(zhong)單列一個生效(xiao)和有效(xiao)期條款,比如(ru):

  This AGREEMENT shall commence with effect from 2nd October 2005(“EFFFECTIVE DATE”) and shall continue until 2nd October 2010 unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms and conditions.

本(ben)合同自2005年(nian)10月(yue)2日起生效,除非根據本(ben)合同約定條款終(zhong)止,有(you)效期至2010年(nian)10月(yue)2日。

 

二、         在所(suo)附條件成立時為合同生效基準日

 

  合(he)同生(sheng)(sheng)效除了以(yi)具體的日(ri)期表述外(wai),還可以(yi)約定(ding)以(yi)某個(ge)(ge)事件的發(fa)生(sheng)(sheng)或不發(fa)生(sheng)(sheng)作為其生(sheng)(sheng)效起點(dian),相當于附條件,只有在(zai)所附條件成立(li)時合(he)同才(cai)生(sheng)(sheng)效,比(bi)如在(zai)一(yi)個(ge)(ge)中外(wai)合(he)資(zi)合(he)同中:

  The AGREEMENT shall take affect upon the approval from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.

本(ben)協議(yi)自中國(guo)商(shang)務部批準(zhun)之日起生效。

 

 再如:  The AGREEMENT shall be deemed to have come into effect on the date when Italy has passed the LAW to cooperate with China concerning SERVICES. 

當意(yi)大利(li)方(fang)面依據法律批準(zhun)了與中國的該服務時,本協議視為生效。

 

 如合同(tong)自簽字之(zhi)日起(qi)經過六個月仍不(bu)能生(sheng)效,則雙(shuang)方有權取消本合同(tong)。

If the Contract cannot come into force within 6 (six) months after the date of signing the Contract, both parties shall have the right to cancel the Contract.

 

This AGREEMENT shall take effect from the EFFECTIVE DATE provided that if the EEFFECITVE DATE has not occurred by 30 November 2000, this AGREEMENT shall (unless the PARTIES agree otherwise) automatically terminate and each of the PARTIES hereto shall be released from any further obligations hereunder。

本(ben)協議生效(xiao)日(ri)期為2000年11月30日(ri),但如(ru)果屆時未(wei)能生效(xiao),除非各方另(ling)有(you)約定,本(ben)協議自(zi)動解(jie)除,各方互不承擔責任。

 

采購協(xie)議的(de)生效視另一個(ge)事件(jian)是否發(fa)生。為(wei)避免(mian)合同(tong)(tong)簽訂后其效力(li)處于(yu)不確定(ding)的(de)狀態(tai)拖得太(tai)長,可(ke)在合同(tong)(tong)中約定(ding),在某(mou)種條件(jian)下,合同(tong)(tong)永不生效,比如(ru):

  This AGREEMENT shall never take effect provided that PARTY B cannot get the approval from the competent authority within thirty (30) days after the signature of this AGREEMENT. 

     合同簽(qian)訂(ding)后30日內乙方沒有獲得自己政府批準,則本協議自動解除。

 

 

    三(san)、關于合(he)同有效期的持續期間

 

合同有效期的約定方(fang)式比較固定,通常為:

1)從生效日到某(mou)個具體日期;

(2)一個固定期間;(

3)一方(fang)可以(yi)通過(guo)通知隨時終止。

  例1明確約定一(yi)個具(ju)體日期。

 This AGREEMENT shall become effective as of 1 May, 2004 and remain valid until 31st, December 2007.

本協議有效期從2004年五月1日(ri)至(zhi)2007年12月31日(ri)。

 

本合同自(zi)生效之日起_______年有效,有效期(qi)滿后合同將(jiang)自(zi)動失效。

The Contract shall be in force for 5 years from the effective date of the Contract. After the expiration f its term of validity, the contract shall automatically become null and void.

 

 The term of this PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT shall be from the EFFECTIVE DATE to the full end of the term or terms for which PATENT RIGHTS have not expired or, if only TECHNOLOGY RIGHTS are licensed and no PATENT RIGHTS are applicable, for a term of 15 years

本專利許可(ke)(ke)協(xie)議有(you)效期(qi)從生效日(ri)起至(zhi)專利權(quan)有(you)效期(qi)內(nei)的期(qi)間,為期(qi)15年,只要技術權(quan)利得到許可(ke)(ke),而且該技術權(quan)利不涉及(ji)專利權(quan)問題。

 

.以專利的有(you)效(xiao)期結束作(zuo)為(wei)合同(tong)有(you)效(xiao)期最(zui)后(hou)一(yi)日(ri)。 在(zai)合同(tong)中約(yue)定一(yi)個固定期間,作(zuo)為(wei)合同(tong)有(you)效(xiao)期。如:

  The AGREEMENT shall remain in effect for a period of five (5) years from the EFFECTIVE DATE, unless earlier terminated under the provisions hereunder.

本協議(yi)從生效(xiao)之日起有效(xiao)期(qi)為5年,除非依據本協議(yi)另(ling)有約定提(ti)前解除。

 

  在一(yi)個勘探開發合同中:

  The term of the CONTRACT shall include an exploration period, a development period and a production period:

本合同有效期包括(kuo)勘探期、開發期和生產期:

 

  The exploration period, beginning on COMMENCEMENT DATE, shall be divided into two (2) phases and shall consist of five (5) consecutive CALENDAR YEARS, unless otherwise required.

開發期從起(qi)始(shi)日連續5年(nian),分為兩個階(jie)段,除(chu)非另有約定:

 

The two (2) phases shall be as follows:  兩個階段為:

a) the first phase of three (3) CALENDAR YEARS (the first CALENDAR YEAR through the third CALENDAR YEAR) for core testing; 

第一(yi)階段為期三年(第一(yi)年至第三年),為核心測(ce)試(shi)階段。

 

b) the second phase of two (2) CALENDAR YEARS (the fourth CALENDAR YEARS through the fifth CALENDAR YEARS ) for PILOT DEVELOPMENT.

第二(er)階段為兩年(nian)(第四年(nian)至(zhi)第五年(nian)),為實驗開發(fa)階段。

 

一方通(tong)知對方隨時終止合同(tong)的(de)約(yue)定:

  This AGREEMENT shall take effect as of the date first above written and shall maintain in full force and effect until earlier termination by PARTY A in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.

本協議(yi)于上(shang)述日期生效(xiao),在甲方依據本協議(yi)約(yue)定通知提前終止(zhi)之前,應(ying)一直保持效(xiao)力(li)。

 

  PARTY A shall have the right to terminate this AGREEMENT at any time in its own discretion by serving a notice to PARTY B.

甲(jia)方有權在任何時候(hou)向乙方發出(chu)通知終止(zhi)本協議。

 

 This AGREEMENT shall come into effect on [the date of execution], and shall continue in force until terminated by either PARTY giving to the other not less than  days notice expiring on[termination date].

  本(ben)協議(yi)應(ying)于(yu)日起(qi)生效,應(ying)一(yi)(yi)直有效至任(ren)何一(yi)(yi)方提(ti)前(qian)至少日通知另一(yi)(yi)方終止(zhi)協議(yi),在此情形下,協議(yi)應(ying)于(yu)[終止(zhi)日期(qi)]終止(zhi)。

 

   以下是一條典型的期限條款,其中對于終(zhong)止日期提供了多(duo)種選擇(ze):

    This AGREEMENT shall [come][be deemed to have come] into effect on [insert date][the date of execution], and, unless terminated earlier in accordance with clause X, shall continue in force until 

 本協(xie)議應(ying)[或者應(ying)視為(wei)]于[插入日期]起生(sheng)效(xiao),除非按照本協(xie)議第(di)X條提(ti)前(qian)終(zhong)止,否則應(ying)一直有效(xiao)直至

 

 [Option I: fixed date]insert date.  [選擇一(yi):固定日(ri)期(qi)]插(cha)入日(ri)期(qi)

 

  [Option II:  expiry of notice on a fixed date or subsequent anniversary]

  [選擇二:需提前(qian)通知終(zhong)止,且終(zhong)止日(ri)期為合同簽署后某(mou)一(yi)個特別約定的(de)日(ri)期]

 

  terminated by either PARTY giving to the other not less than ? [years’/months’/days’]notice expiring on [insert earliest termination date][or the same day in any subsequent year].

任何(he)一(yi)方(fang)提前[X年(nian)/月/日]通知(zhi)另一(yi)方(fang)終(zhong)止協議,在此情形(xing)下,協議應于[插入(ru)最早的終(zhong)止日期][或此后每周年(nian)的同一(yi)日期]終(zhong)止。

 

[Option III: expiry of notice given at any time][選(xuan)擇三:可于任何時候通知(zhi)終止]

 

  terminated by either PARTY giving to the other not less than ? [years’/months’/days’]notice, which may expire at any time.

任(ren)何(he)一方提(ti)前[X年/月/日(ri)]通知(zhi)另一方終止協議(yi),在(zai)此情形下(xia),協議(yi)可于(yu)通知(zhi)的任(ren)何(he)時間終止。

 

[Option IV: minimum period and thereafter subject to termination at any time]

  terminated by either PARTY giving to the other not less than ? [years’/months’/days’]notice expiring at any time after [insert date giving minimum period].

  [選(xuan)擇(ze)四:規定(ding)一段最(zui)短(duan)的有效期限,在該期限屆滿之后,可(ke)于任何時候通知終止]

  在(zai)[插入最短的有(you)效期(qi)限]后,任何(he)一方提前[X年/月/日]通知(zhi)(zhi)另(ling)一方終止協(xie)議,在(zai)此情形(xing)下,協(xie)議可(ke)于(yu)通知(zhi)(zhi)的任何(he)時間終止。

  

   再如:

  This AGREEMENT shall take effect on the date first above written and shall maintain in full force and effect for 3 years subject to an automatic extension of a maximum of 3 years.

有效期(qi)三(san)年,但(dan)如(ru)果義務(wu)尚未履行完畢(bi),則(ze)可以自動(dong)延(yan)長不超過三(san)年的(de)期(qi)限。

 

The duration of the AGREEMENT shall be 1 (one) year effective from the date of signing by both PARTIES and may be automatically extended for an additional period of 3 months upon mutual agreement of the PARTIES.

本協議(yi)有效期從簽(qian)署(shu)之日起為一(yi)年(nian),期滿如各方(fang)皆(jie)同意,自(zi)動續期三年(nian)。

 

This AGREEEMENT shall have effect for an initial period of five (5) years commencing on and from the date of this AGREEMENT and thereafter for an unlimited number of subsequent periods of five (5) years, each of which shall commence on and from the day immediately following the conclusion of the immediately preceding five (5) year period, until terminated in accordance with the provisions hereunder.

本協(xie)議從為期(qi)5年的(de)(de)第一階段起,隨后不限制次(ci)(ci)數的(de)(de)連(lian)續的(de)(de)每次(ci)(ci)為期(qi)5年的(de)(de)階段,每個階段緊接前一個階段,直(zhi)到依據本協(xie)議約定(ding)終(zhong)止。

    這(zhe)實(shi)際上并未(wei)直接約(yue)(yue)定(ding)合同的有效期,因為(wei)可以無限(xian)延期,有效期并不確定(ding),只能依靠簽(qian)約(yue)(yue)方的通知(zhi)終止。

  

四、       合同(tong)有效(xiao)期結束后(hou)未盡事(shi)項(xiang)的(de)約定

 

 由于合同終止,合同雙方的權利義務自然終止,但是否意味著合同雙方對對方不再承擔任何的責任,合同終止,合同所有條款的效力是否全部失效。  為(wei)了避免出現這樣的爭議,在草擬(ni)合同時,最(zui)好在合同中加(jia)上下面(mian)這兩個標(biao)準(zhun)條款,以專利許(xu)可協議為(wei)例:

  No termination of this AGREEMENT or the license granted hereunder shall relieve LICENSEE of any obligation or liability accrued hereunder prior to such termination.

合同終止(zhi)(zhi)前(qian)產生的義(yi)務(wu)和責任并不因此(ci)而終止(zhi)(zhi)。

 

  The obligations of the PARTIES under this Clause 5 of CONFIDENTIALITY shall survive the expiry or the termination of this AGREEMENT for whatever reason.

合同(tong)終(zhong)止(zhi),但保密義務仍然繼(ji)續。

 

    ;不過,如果這種義務(wu)是約(yue)束自己的客(ke)戶,則最(zui)好(hao)約(yue)定一個合同終止后的保密(mi)最(zui)高時限,比如:

  The obligations of the PARTIES under this Clause 5 of CONFIDENTIALITY shall survive the expiry or the termination of this AGREEMENT by three years for whatever reason.

    因此(ci),保密義務在合同終(zhong)止后三年內繼續存在,但(dan)三年后該義務解(jie)除。