文档介绍：Part B The law of obligations
合同法与侵权法;
Note: important cases in this part should be read carefully.
Principle and exception
Presumption and rebuttal
Chapter 4 Formation of contracts I
of contract
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Key terms: A contract may be defined as an agreement which legally binds the parties.
合同是双方当事人经协商一致或意思表示一致(合意)达成的协议,,应承担相应的法律责任(违约责任).
我们每天都在缔结若干合同关系.
Formation of contracts I
affecting the modern contract
Inequality of Bargaining power
Many contracts are made between experts and ordinary consumers. The law will intervene only where the formers takes unfair advantage of his position and not simply because one was in an inferior bargaining position.
Freedom of contract: 合同自由原则,当事人在不违反法律的强制性规定的前提下,对于是否缔约,选择缔约对象,缔约内容,形式等拥有自由.
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Formation of contracts I
the standard form contract 格式合同,标准合同,指合同内容事先已经由一方当事人(通常为大的公司\企业\团体等)拟订好,另一方当事人(通常为普通消费者)要么接受要么放弃(take it or leave it),\电力供应合同\自来水供应合同\电信合同等.
格式合同是一种特殊类型的合同,法律对此有专门的规定,防止大公司等利用其强者地位迫使消费者接受不公平的条款或霸王条款。
Formation of contracts I
Consumer protection
The two ways to protect consumer’s interest:
Consumer protection agencies; Legislation
The electronic contract 电子合同
传统的合同是通过邮寄方式(by post)来达成的,英国合同法也是建立在传统的缔约方式的基础上的(. offer and acceptance);电子合同(. by )的出现客观上需要新的法律规范来调整。
Formation of contracts I
3. The essentials of a contract 合同的要素
The three essential elements are offer and acceptance(要约与承诺), consideration(对价) and intention to enter into legal relation(建立法律关系的意图).
The courts will usually look for evidence of these elements.
以上三个要素是合同得以成立并生效的最重要的因素,但还有一些因素会影响合同的效力(validity)。
Formation of contracts I
Validity factors 影响合同效力的因素
Capacity:缔约能力;Minor 未成年人;Form:合同形式
Content:合同内容
Genuine consent:真实的同意
Undue influence 不当影响(如医生与患者\老师与学生之间)
Duress 胁迫
Legality:合法性(不违反法律的强制性规定或公共政策)
下文会分别探讨这些因素。
Formation of contracts I
Key terms: 效力存在瑕疵的合同
Void contract 无效合同,不产生法律上的权利;自始即属无效;绝对不具有法律约束力,如无对价的合同;