契約書

英文契約書の書き方

英文契約書の書き方

国際契約書の多くは英語によるものです。アメリカ経済が世界の経済の中心となっている実情を踏まえると、この点が理解できます。また、法律用語も、日本の契約では見慣れない条項や表現がある英米法による表現が使用されています。

英語に精通している担当者でも、英文契約書の独特の表現を理解せずに、契約書にサインをしてしまうと、あとで取り返しのつかない事態を生じる危険性も存在します。

そのような点も踏まえて、このコーナーでは、フォーマルなスタイルの契約書の構成を、一般的な契約である売買契約書を利用して解説していこうと思います。

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契約書の構成
  1. 表題（契約書名）
  2. 前文（契約日付・当事者名・所在地・説明条項）
  3. 本体
    • 主要条件（Principal Terms）取引の主となる契約内容のこと。すなわち契約の種類に
    • 一般条項（General Terms）さまざまな種類の契約書に共通して規定される条項よってそれぞれ異なる。
  4. 最終部分（契約確認文言・両当事者の署名）

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英文契約書でよく用いられる表現集
※1 Witnessth 英文契約書に特有の古風な用語表現で、「証明する」を意味する。Witness（動詞）の三人称単数（es）の古い語法でThe Agreement witnesses.というように動詞として働く。
※2 Whereas （as）と同じで理由をあらわす。両者が契約にいたった背景・経緯を説明する条項の頭に置かれる。Whereasを使う代わりに斬新な契約書のスタイルではrecitalという用語を使う場合がある。リサイタルとは「契約の背景の紹介」をいう。
※3 Party 契約の当事者をいう
※4 in consideration of 〜を約因※として
consideration
「※約因＝売主による財・サービスの引渡しと買主による対価の支払いの約束」したがって双方が相手方にどのような義務を負担するのかを簡単に記載する。
※5 hereof hereto herein 「この契約書の」の意味＝of this agreement・to this agreement・in this agreement
※6 hereunder 「この契約書において」の意味＝under this agreement
※7 hereinafter 『here＋in+after』で「以後、本契約中で」という意味。
※8 thereof 「その文書の」の意味。契約書の中で別の文書を引用するような場合、その文書を省略してthereを用いる。→of that document
※9 hereby thereby 強調するために使用されるのであって、特に意味は変わらない。
※10 without prejudice to 「権利を失うことなしに」という意味。主に使われる場面としては損害賠償請求権やその他の権利を持ったまま解除権をも有することを明示する。
※11 may 契約上の権利として「〜することができる」という意味。実務では「can」は用いない。
※12 shall 契約上の義務として「〜しなければならない」という意味
※13 will shallと同じように義務を規定する表現だが、契約上、立場の強い側が自分の義務を規定する場合に用いることが多いのでshallと比較してややあいまいな感覚がある。
※14 must 「要件」を表す。＝to be required toの意。
※15 to the extent of 「〜の範囲内で」の意。正確性を期すため対象を特定の範囲に限定するために使用する。
※16 Force majeure　Act of God どちらも「不可抗力」という意味だが、後者は自然災害に限定されることが多いが、前者は戦争等を含むため広義。
※17 Otherwise 副詞で、「別途」「別の方法で」の意。
※18 Notwithstanding 慣用的表現で「上記の規定にもかかわらず」の意味。
※19 In good faith 「善意の詐欺性のない」の意。ただ、日本語の「法的に善意の」よりも広義。
※20 Vice versa 「逆も真なり」の意。
※21 Subject to 「〜に服す。」「〜を条件とする」「〜による」という意。
※22 Set forth 「記載する」「定める」の意。＝mention・provide for・describe
※23 Indemnify and hold harmless Indemnifyは「過去と将来の損害の補償を現時点で約束する」の意味。Hold harmlessは「第三者からのクレームについて、契約における一方の当事者がその賠償責任を負い、他方当事者の責任を免除する」ことで、相手に一切迷惑をかけないという意味。
※24 Forthwith 「直ちに」の意。
※25 Provided,however,that 「但し」の意。
※26 As of 「〜（日時）付で」の意。
※27 CIF FOB CF Incoterms（International Commercial Terms）そしてそのIncotermsが定める貿易条件が、CIF FOB CF
CIF（Cost,Insurance&Freight）

売主が商品の価格、保険料、運賃を負担するというもの。売主は自らの費用で船を手配し、船積みされるまでの危険を負担し、保険料、運賃も負担する。すなわち、費用負担は相手方に届くまでだが、危険負担は船積みまでということで、費用負担と危険負担の時期が一致しない条件。

FOB（Free on Board）

売主は商品を買主が手配した船に船積みすれば売主の義務は終了するというもの。すなわち、売主はFOBの条件の時には商品を船に積むまでの費用と危険を負担するということで費用負担と危険負担の移転時期がいずれも船積み時ということで一致している。

CF（Cost&Freight）売主は、商品の価格と相手方までの運賃を負担し、買主が保険をかけその保険料を負担するという条件。

※取引交渉時には商品の価格が交渉の主要事項となる。買主にすれば価格はCIF価格のほうが、FOB価格よりも高くなることは分かっていても、船の手配や保険の半ざる差を売り手が済ましてくれれば、それはトレードオフの関係となる。よって、買主にとってCIFにするのかFOBにするのかという違いは結局は仕入れ値がどうなるかという問題となる。

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Sales Agreement〈表題・前文〉

This agreement made and entered into this day of February 13, 2007 by and between : Language Village Co.LTD, a company incorporated and existing under the law of the state of Massachusetts ,having its principal place of business at 0000 Range rd ,Boston, Massachusetts, USA（hereinafter※7 referred to as LV）

And

Karin Co.LTD., a company incorporated and existing under the law of Japan,having irs principal place of business at 20-28 sengenkamicho fuji city shizuoka Japan(hereinafter referred to as KN)

Witnesseth※1

Whereas※2 ,LV is desirous of purchasing requirements of certain products from KN hereinafter more particularly specified (hereinafter referred to as the Products) and reselling them to Lourdes hereinafter referred to: and whereas,KN is willing to sell Products to LV throughout the period hereinafter more particularly specified;

Now,therefore,in consideration of※4 covenants and agreements herein※5 contained ,the parties hereto※5 hereby※9 agree as follows:

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Article1：Definition（定義）

In this agreement,the following terms have the following meanings,except where the context otherwise※17 requires:

  • Daiho means Daiho CO.LTD.a company organized and existing under the law of Japan,having its principal place of business at 2887-2 Obuchi Fuji city Shizuoka Japan;and Daiho is the manufacturer of the Products and the parent company of KN;
  • Lourdes means Lourdes CO.LTD. a company organized and existing under the law of the states of Massachusetts ,having its principal place of business at 1111Range rd Boston Massachusetts USA;and Lourdes is planning to manufacture certain foodstuff using the Products and to sell the foodstuff in the US;
  • Products means the products to be manufactured by Daiho and supplied by KN in accordance with the Specifications;
  • Specifications means the specifications of the Products attached to this Agreement;the Specifications also include the inspection method of the Products and packaging standards;and the Specifications shall constitute an integral part of this Agreement;
  • Trademarks means the trademarks to be used on the Products and specified in the Schedule attached hereto.

In this Agreement,unless the context requires otherwise,　the singular includes the plural and vice versa.※20

（以下主要条件〉

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Article2：sale and purchase（販売・購入条項）

KN shall※12 sell LV and LV shall purchase from KN all requirements of the Products in accordance with and subject to※21 the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.※22 LV shall not sell the Products which LV purchases from KN to any persons and firms other than Lourdes.

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Article3：minimum requirement（購入量条項）

During the term of this agreement,　LV shall guarantee the minimum annual purchase of the Products from KN to be negotiated and agreed upon separately. Thereafter ,however, the minimum requirement in case of the renewal thereof※8 shall be determined by the parties hereto each year not later than 60 days prior to the expiration date of the renewal term of this agreement. If LV fails to attain the minimum requirement as determined hereunder※6 ,KN may※11 terminate this agreement by giving 3 months written notice to LV at anytime during the term or renewal term of this agreement.

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Article4：inspection（検査と瑕疵担保責任）

Upon arrival of the shipments of the Products at the place designated by Lourdes under article 2 of this agreement, LV shall immediately have Lourdes inspect the quality and quantity of the shipments at Lourdes`s burden of cost. When LV receives a notice with a certificate by an independent surveyor from Lourdes in which Lourdes finds that the shipments of the Products fails to conform to the Specifications, or that the quantity is less than the one in the firm order or the shipments sheet attached to the shipments after delivery, notify to KN the details of such non-conformity, and in case of a latent defect within 6 months. In such case, KN shall in its sole discretion either replace new Products or refund the portion of the sales price applicable thereto.

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Article5：price（価格）

The price of the Products(hereinafter referred to as the `Price`) shall be US$ per CIF※27 Boston. The price may be changed in every December by agreement of the parties hereto. The price or a revised Price provided for herein shall be subject to adjustment to the extent of※15:

  • any increase in export or import duties, export or import surcharges or other governmental charges,　or insurance premiums or freight rates, which becomes effective after the determination of the Price or a revised Price and is payable by either party hereto;
  • any increase in the cost of manufacture of the Products substantially caused by an extraordinary increase in a price of petroleum products,　fuel or energy sources,　or other raw materials which could not have been foreseen at the time of the determination of the Price or a revised Price.

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Article6：payment（支払い）

LV shall pay the Price to KN within 30 days after the delivery to Lourdes of the shipments of the Products by way of telegraphic transfer to the bank account designated by KN. All payments hereunder including,but not limited to, payment for the Products shall be made in the currency of the United States of America.

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Article7：direct delivery（引渡し）

KN shall directly deliver all shipments of the Products to Lourdes at the place separately designated by Lourdes under LV`s instruction after customs clearance shall be taken by LV at its burden of cost.

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Article8：firm order and shipment（確定注文と出荷）

LV shall place a firm order of the Products to KN on the end of every month based on the requirements of the Products made by Lourdes. KN shall ship the Products to the place designated by Lourdes through LV form Shimizu, Japan on the basis of CIF Boston within 15 days after receipt of the firm order.

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Article9：marine insurance（保険）

KN shall effect all risk（Institute Cargo Clauses）marine insurance with underwriters or insurance companies of good repute in an amount of 110 percent of CIF value of the shipments of the Products. Any additional premium for insurance coverage in excess of the value mentioned above, if so required by LV, shall be borne by LV.

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Article10：title and risk（所有権と危険負担の移転）

The title to and the risk of the shipments of the Products shall pass from KN to Lourdes through LV at the time when the shipments have been effectively delivered at the place designated by Lourdes.

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Article11：information（情報提供）

LV shall furnish KN with information as much as possible about an estimate of purchasing of the Products for 1year, requirements of the Products by Lourdes and competitive products in the US markets of foodstuff.

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Article12：warranty（品質保証）

KN shall ship the Products which shall conform to the Specifications, and warrant that the quality of the shipments shall not change in transit and in Lourdes`s custody less than 6 months, except for the cases that such quality changes have expressly occurred under non-negligence of KN and/or Daiho.

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Article13：product liability（製造物責任）

KN shall be liable for, indemnify and hold LV and/or Lourdes , including their officers, directors, employees , or agents, harmless from※23 all damages, claims, losses, expenses and/or reasonable attorney` s fees including ,but not limited to, suits or claims for damages for death, human bodily injury or other property resulting from any defects of the shipments of the Products delivered from KN to Lourdes through LV, even if the quality of the shipments conforms to the Specifications and has passed the inspection by Lourdes. If any claims are made against LV and/or Lourdes, LV shall as soon as reasonably practicable inform KN thereof and all the parties shall discuss how to settle the claims.

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Article14：Trademarks（商標権）
  • Lourdes shall use the trademarks on the Products.
  • LV and Lourdes acknowledge that KN is the sole and exclusive owner of the trademarks.
  • KN hereby grants Lourdes subject to the terms and conditions herein stipulated, the right to use the trademarks in the US for and in connection with the advertisement, promotions, sale and distribution of the Products. Such use shall be limited to the letterhead and advertisement of the Products in the US, and Lourdes shall by no means use any of the trademarks on the label of any other products, or as part of any trade or corporate name.
  • Lourdes shall not seek to obtain in its name any registration for any of the trademarks or for any other word and device appearing on any of the Products.
  • Upon termination of this agreement, Lourdes shall forthwith※24 cease all further use of the trademarks and shall not use any trademarks, or trade or corporate names similar thereto; provided, however, that※25 even after the termination of this agreement, Lourdes may use the trademarks solely in connection with the sale of the Products held in stock by Lourdes at the termination.
  • In case that the necessity for KN to register the trademarks in the US arises, Lourdes agrees to assist KN in taking necessary steps.

〈以下一般条項〉

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Article15：events of default（契約不履行）

In any one of the following events occurs on any party※3 hereto;

  • failure to perform any provision of this agreement including, but not limited to, failure to pay any amount when due hereunder, or of any other agreement between the parties hereto, if any , and such failure not being cured within 30 days after the date of notice thereof being dispatched by either party to the other party hereto requesting the other party to remedy such failure.
  • Insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution:
  • Petition for any proceedings under the provisions of law or any law for relief of debtors;
  • Appointment of a trustee, receiver, administrator or liquidator over the assets or property; or
  • Insurance of an order for attachment or the provisional one of the assets or property ; or
  • General assignment by such party hereto for benefit of its creditors, the requesting party may without prejudice to※10 the other rights and remedies which it may have,
  1. forthwith terminate this agreement in whole or in part by notice in writing to the party concerned;
  2. delay or suspend the shipments or delivery of the Products;
  3. stop the shipments of the Products in transit; and/or
  4. forthwith demand immediate payment of all sums payable by the party concerned under this agreement or any other agreement between both parties, whereupon the same shall become immediately due and payable.

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Article16：force majeure（不可抗力）

Neither party hereto shall be liable to the other party for failure to perform its obligations hereunder due to the occurrence of any event beyond the reasonable control of such party and affecting its performance including, without limitation, governmental, acts of God※16, war, warlike conditions, hostilities,civil commotion, riots,epidemics, fires, strikes, lockouts or any other similar cause(hereinafter referred to as `Force Majeure※16`).

Notwithstanding※18 the foregoing, no occurrence of an event of Force Majeure shall relieve LV of its obligation to make payment for the Products already delivered hereunder.

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Article17：settlement of disputes（紛争解決）

Any dispute, controversy or difference which may arise between the parties hereto in relation to this agreement, or the breach thereof, which may not be settled by mutual accord without undue delay, shall be settled by arbitration in Shizuoka, Japan in accordance with the rules of procedures of Japan Commercial Arbitration Association. The award thereof shall not bind both partieshereto.

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Article18：assignment（譲渡）

Neither party shall assign, transfer or otherwise※17 dispose of this agreement, or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

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Article19：notice（通知）

All notice to be given under this agreement shall be given in writing including facsimile, and shall be addressed to the nominated address shown below. Such notices as may be given either by personal delivery, by facsimile or registered airmail, shall be effective upon receipt where made by personal delivery, 1 working day by facsimile, or 7 days by airmail.

LV：Language Village CO.LTD.
0000 Range rd Boston Massachusetts USA
For attention of Masahiro Akiyama, President
Facsimile No.
KN：Karin CO.LTD.
20-28 Sengenkamicho Fuji city Shizuoka Japan
For attention of Yoshinori Akiyama, General Manager, Sales Division
Facsimile No.
Lourdes：Lourdes CO.LTD
1111Range rd Boston Massachusetts USA
For attention of Haruyo Karakawa
Facsimile No.

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Article20：entire agreement（完全なる合意）

This agreement constitutes the entire and only agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof※5, and supersedes, cancels and annuls all prior or contemporaneous negotiations or communications.

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Article21：amendments（修正・変更）

This agreement may only be amended by a written agreement signed by the representatives of the parties hereto.

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Article22：waiver（放棄）

The failure to exercise or enforce any right conferred upon any of the parties hereto hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any such right, or shall not operate to bar the exercise or enforcement thereof on any other occasion.

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Article23：severability（分離）

If any provision of this agreement is subsequently held invalid or unenforceable by court or authority agent, such invalidity or unenforceability shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions thereof.

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Article24：Governing law（準拠法）

This agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted under the law of Japan.

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Article25：Jurisdiction（裁判管轄）

The parties hereto agree that all the lawsuits hereunder shall be exclusively brought in the Shizuoka District Court of japan

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Article26：term of agreement（契約期間）

This agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and, unless terminated as provided for in article 15 hereof, shall continue in force for a period of 5 years. The renewal of the term of this agreement after the initial term of 5years shall be determined through mutual agreement 3 months prior to the expiration of the initial term of this agreement.

〈以下後文・署名〉

In witness whereof, the parties hereto have caused this agreement to be signed by their duly authorized representatives in duplicate as of※26 the day and year first above written, each party retaining 1 copy thereof, respectively.

Language Village CO.LTD.
By：
Name：Masahiro Akiyama
Title：President
Karin CO.LTD.
By：
Name：Yoshinori Akiyama
Title：General Manager, Sales Division

Lourdes referred to this agreement acknowledges the terms and conditions hereof, and agrees to be bound thereby※9　to the extent that such terms including article 4,6,7,8,10to 15 and 17 to 25, but not limited to such articles, are applicable to Lourdes.

〈当事者以外の者の署名〉

Lourdes CO.LTD.
By：
Name：Haruyo Karakawa