公司法务如何审查涉外销售合同(一):主体、鉴于、定义与争议解决条款

周全 · 法律实务 · 首发于

公众号原文(新标签页)

引言

实话实说,在英语能力的官方认证层面,我能拿出来的只有大学英语六级。我没有出国留学经历,也没有海外外派经历。但从我的实践经验来看,作为公司法务支撑一部分涉外法律需求,并非想象中那么难。

至少需要满足三个条件:第一,自己胆子要大,敢接任务;第二,公司胆子也要大,敢把活儿派给你;第三,自己要肯学。很多实务能力都是边干边学,涉外法务也是一个道理。

当然,从专业层面分析,涉外法务的门槛仍然很高。不同法域的法律规定存在差异,合同背后的交易结构、争议解决机制和商业习惯也有个熟悉的过程。

不过,听起来和涉外法律强相关的国际法、国际私法专业的学生,以及到海外攻读LL.M.的学生,在校期间同样很难完全对口地学到以后从事法务或者律师工作所需要的大部分知识。

就我的经验,以及我与部分涉外法务同事交流的情况来看,这些是正宗有海外留学经验的人,但他们在应届毕业生求职阶段,为了应对笔试和面试,也会先在网上查找经验帖,大致了解考察范围,然后临时抱佛脚。

从语言层面来看,缺乏语言环境在听力和口语方面确实是一个较大的障碍。不过现在有AI工具辅助,处理点书面工作问题不大。如果你所在的涉外法律岗对口语有较高要求,也不是坏事,正好倒逼口语学习了。

因此,我从一个“本土”涉外法务的视角,整理自己在涉外销售合同审查中的一些经验。作为系列第一篇,本文先讨论合同主体、签约授权和文本结构。主体名称或者签字授权有误,可能影响合同及担保文件的效力;鉴于条款对交易背景和责任作出不准确描述,可能影响后续解释;定义、文件效力顺序和适用法律约定不清,则可能扩大义务范围或者增加争议处理成本。

一、合同主体(Contracting Party)与签约授权(Authority)的审核

(一)主体名称、注册信息和简称不一致

涉外交易中,集团名称、品牌名称和实际签约主体经常并不相同。合同首页使用品牌简称,签字页却加盖另一家公司印章,或者保函、发票和收款账户对应不同主体,都可能导致合同责任、付款路径和担保效力出现争议。多方协议如果反复使用“集团”“供应商”或者“关联方”等简称,还可能将未签约主体一并纳入义务范围。

审查及修改建议:合同应使用与注册证书一致的完整名称,并列明注册地、注册号和注册地址。每一签约主体只设置一个明确、唯一的简称;签字页、订单、保函及收款文件中的主体名称应与合同正文保持一致。关联公司参与履行的,应当写明其具体身份和职责,不能仅以集团名称替代签约主体。

示范条款(英文):

[SELLER’S FULL LEGAL NAME], a company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of [Jurisdiction], with registration number [●] and registered office at [●] (the “Seller”); and [BUYER’S FULL LEGAL NAME], a company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of [Jurisdiction], with registration number [●] and registered office at [●] (the “Buyer”). Seller and Buyer are each a “Party” and together the “Parties”. No Affiliate of either Party shall be deemed a Party to this Agreement unless it executes this Agreement in its own name.

示范条款(中文):

【卖方完整法定名称】,一家根据【法域】法律正式设立并有效存续的公司,注册号为【●】,注册地址为【●】(以下简称“卖方”);以及【买方完整法定名称】,一家根据【法域】法律正式设立并有效存续的公司,注册号为【●】,注册地址为【●】(以下简称“买方”)。卖方和买方单称“一方”,合称“双方”。除非任何一方的关联公司以自身名义签署本合同,否则该关联公司不因其关联关系而成为本合同一方。

(二)签字人权限和公司内部授权不完整

签字人能够代表公司参加商务谈判,不等于当然有权签署合同。签字人为普通员工、代理人或者项目人员时,应当核对授权书的签发主体、授权事项、金额权限和有效期限。仅在合同中写明“经正式授权”,但不核对公司章程、董事决议或者授权文件,仍可能留下代表权争议。

审查及修改建议:双方应就合法存续、签约能力、内部批准和签字授权作出相互的声明与保证。签字人并非法定代表人、董事或者依公司组织文件当然有权签约的人员时,应在签署前提供有效书面授权;授权主体、被授权人姓名和合同签字页应当一致。

示范条款(英文):

Each Party represents and warrants as of the date of this Agreement that: (i) it is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation; (ii) it has full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement; (iii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action; (iv) the person signing this Agreement on its behalf is duly authorized to do so; (v) this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms; (vi) all governmental or third-party approvals required for the execution and performance of this Agreement have been obtained or will be obtained before they are required; and (vii) the execution and performance of this Agreement do not conflict with its constitutional documents, Applicable Laws or any agreement binding upon it. Upon request, each Party shall provide reasonable documentary evidence of such authority and approvals.

示范条款(中文):

各方于本合同签署日分别声明并保证:(1)其已根据注册地法律正式设立并有效存续;(2)其具有签署、交付和履行本合同所需的完整权力和权限;(3)本合同的签署、交付和履行已经取得一切必要的公司内部批准;(4)代表其签署本合同的人员已获得有效授权;(5)本合同构成对其合法、有效并具有约束力的义务,可以按照本合同约定执行;(6)签署和履行本合同所需的政府或者第三方批准均已取得,或者将在依法需要前取得;(7)本合同的签署和履行不与其组织文件、适用法律或者对其具有约束力的其他协议相冲突。经另一方要求,各方应提供能够合理证明前述授权及批准的文件。

二、鉴于条款(Recitals)应当准确说明交易背景

(一)背景陈述提前确认了责任或者下游损失

鉴于条款通常用于说明双方身份和交易目的,但其内容仍可能影响后续解释。如果其中写明卖方已经充分了解最终项目、承诺满足业主全部要求,或者明确知悉买方转售失败将产生何种损失,买方可能据此主张相关损失具有可预见性。历史合作次数、项目规模和产品用途写错,也可能在争议中被作为双方确认的事实。

审查及修改建议:鉴于条款只保留已经核实的主体背景、交易标的和签约目的,不使用“完全了解”“保证实现”“承担全部责任”等定性表述。买方的转售、EPC建设、融资或者下游合同责任,不应在未经协商时写成卖方已知并接受的履约基础;具体权利义务应以合同正文为准。

示范条款(英文):

WHEREAS, Seller is engaged in the manufacture and sale of the products described in this Agreement; WHEREAS, Buyer wishes to purchase such products from Seller on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement; NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows. These Recitals describe the background and purpose of the transaction only and shall not create any obligation, representation or liability in addition to those expressly set out in the operative provisions of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency, the operative provisions shall prevail.

示范条款(中文):

鉴于,卖方从事本合同所述产品的生产和销售;鉴于,买方希望按照本合同约定的条款和条件向卖方购买该等产品;据此,双方达成如下约定。本鉴于条款仅用于说明本次交易的背景和目的,不创设本合同正文未明确约定的任何义务、声明或者责任。鉴于条款与本合同正文不一致的,以正文为准。

三、定义(Definitions)、解释规则与文件效力顺序

(一)定义外延超出本合同和本次供货

定义的外延会直接影响卖方的义务范围。将“供应”定义为包括实现项目目的所需的一切工作,可能使卖方承担合同和技术附件未列明的服务;将“分包商”扩展至所有上游供应商,可能把卖方对直接分包商的管理责任延伸至整个供应链;将“适用法律”扩展到与供货无关的国家和地区,也会增加无法识别的合规义务。

审查及修改建议:定义应限定在本合同、签约主体和本项目范围内。产品、供应、服务、缺陷、分包商及适用法律等核心概念,应当与正文和技术附件逐一核对。首字母大写的专用术语必须能够找到对应定义,定义中不能通过“包括但不限于实现项目目的所需的一切事项”等兜底表述增加未报价义务。

示范条款(英文):

“Supply” means only the sale and delivery of the Products and the performance of those services expressly identified in this Agreement and its Exhibits. “Subcontractor” means a third party directly engaged by Seller to perform a material part of the Supply, but does not include a supplier of ordinary materials or components solely by reason of such supply. “Defect” means a failure of a Product to conform to the Specifications expressly incorporated into this Agreement.

示范条款(中文):

“供应”仅指产品的销售、交付以及本合同及其附件明确列明的服务。“分包商”是指由卖方直接聘用、负责实施供应范围内重要工作的第三方,但普通材料或者零部件供应商不因其供货行为当然构成分包商。“缺陷”是指产品不符合已经明确纳入本合同的技术规范。

(二)工作日(Business Day)的定义只考虑项目所在国

付款、通知和补救期限通常以工作日计算。如果“工作日”只按照项目所在国判断,而付款银行、收款账户或者实际履行行为位于其他国家,双方对期限届满时间可能产生不同理解。

审查及修改建议:工作日应当结合相关义务的实际履行地点判断。涉及跨境付款的,应同时排除付款地和收款地银行停止营业的日期,避免一方在客观上无法办理付款或者收款时仍被认定为逾期。

示范条款(英文):

“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday on which commercial banks are open for general business at the place where the relevant obligation is to be performed. For a cross-border payment, a Business Day must also be a day on which commercial banks are open for general business at both the place of remittance and the place of receipt.

示范条款(中文):

“工作日”是指除星期六、星期日或者法定节假日以外,相关义务履行地的商业银行正常营业的日期。涉及跨境付款的,工作日还应同时为汇款地和收款地商业银行正常营业的日期。

(三)解释规则(Rules of Interpretation)削弱了定义条款的确定性

合同常以“除非上下文另有要求”统领全部定义和解释规则。这类概括性例外会降低定义的确定性,并可能允许一方脱离已经约定的定义,仅凭具体语境主张另一种含义。解释条款还应处理修订文件、承继主体、标题作用和共同起草等问题,避免因文本由一方提供而当然作不利解释。

审查及修改建议:能够直接确定的解释规则应当逐项写明,不宜用宽泛的语境例外统领所有定义。合同名称应包括经双方有效签署的后续修订;对主体的引用可以包括其承继主体和获准受让人;标题仅为阅读便利;合同应确认由双方共同协商,不因一方首先提供文本而作不利于该方的解释。

示范条款(英文):

In this Agreement: (i) a reference to this Agreement includes any amendment or supplement duly executed by both Parties; (ii) a reference to a Person includes its successors and permitted assigns; (iii) “including” means “including without limitation”; (iv) headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation; and (v) this Agreement has been negotiated and prepared jointly by the Parties, and no provision shall be construed against a Party solely because that Party or its counsel first proposed or drafted it.

示范条款(中文):

在本合同中:(1)对“本合同”的引用包括双方有效签署的任何后续修订或者补充;(2)对任何主体的引用包括其承继主体和获准受让人;(3)“包括”是指“包括但不限于”;(4)条款标题仅为阅读便利,不影响合同解释;(5)本合同由双方共同协商和拟定,不得仅因某一条款最初由一方或者其顾问提出或者起草,而作不利于该方的解释。

(四)文件效力顺序(Order of Precedence)没有覆盖正文、附件和订单

涉外销售合同往往同时包含主合同、技术规范、报价单、订单、交付计划和后续补充文件。不同文件对产品规格、违约金基数或者交付条件作出不一致约定时,如果没有效力顺序,任何一方都可能选择对自己有利的文件。采购订单由买方单方签发时,更不能仅因日期在后就当然修改主合同。

审查及修改建议:合同应列明文件效力顺序。后续文件只有经双方正式签署并明确修改本合同,才能优先于原合同;订单和单方文件不得自动变更正文。技术附件与正文发生冲突时,除纯技术指标外,价格、责任、付款和争议解决等法律商务事项仍应以正文为准。

示范条款(英文):

In the event of any inconsistency, the following order of precedence shall apply: (i) amendments expressly modifying this Agreement and duly executed by both Parties, with a later amendment prevailing over an earlier one; (ii) the main body of this Agreement; (iii) the Technical Specifications, solely with respect to technical requirements; (iv) Purchase Orders accepted in writing by Seller; and (v) the remaining Exhibits. No Purchase Order or other document issued unilaterally by either Party shall amend this Agreement unless it expressly identifies the provision to be amended and is signed by both Parties.

示范条款(中文):

各合同文件不一致时,按照以下顺序适用:(1)经双方正式签署并明确修改本合同的补充协议或者修订文件,且后签署的文件优先于先签署的文件;(2)本合同正文;(3)技术规范,但仅就技术要求而言;(4)经卖方书面接受的采购订单;(5)其他附件。任何一方单方签发的采购订单或者其他文件,除非明确指出拟修改的合同条款并经双方签署,不得变更本合同。

四、适用法律(Governing Law)与争议解决(Dispute Resolution)的审核

(一)履约标准包含与供货无关的适用法律(Applicable Laws)和当地要求

要求卖方遵守“所有适用法律、行业惯例、项目要求和当地标准”,但不限定地域、事项和文件版本,可能将项目业主、当地电网或者买方下游合同中的要求一并转嫁给卖方。UCP、URDG、ISP、Incoterms及技术标准存在不同版本时,只写“最新版本”也会导致签约后的规则变化自动进入合同。

审查及修改建议:卖方的履约义务应限于合同明确约定的标准,以及与产品生产、销售、出口和交付直接相关的适用法律。贸易规则、信用证规则、保函规则和技术标准应写明名称和版本;买方或者项目所在地的特殊要求,只有在签约前明确提供并纳入合同后才对卖方有约束力。

示范条款(英文):

Seller shall perform the Supply in accordance with this Agreement and the Applicable Laws directly governing the manufacture, sale, export and delivery of the Products. No industry practice, project-owner requirement, grid requirement or local standard shall apply unless it is expressly identified in this Agreement or its Exhibits. Any trade rule, banking rule or technical standard incorporated into this Agreement shall apply only in the version expressly stated herein.

示范条款(中文):

卖方应按照本合同以及与产品生产、销售、出口和交付直接相关的适用法律履行供应义务。任何行业惯例、项目业主要求、电网要求或者当地标准,除非已经在本合同或者附件中明确列明,否则不适用于卖方。纳入本合同的任何贸易规则、银行规则或者技术标准,仅适用本合同明确写明的版本。

(二)准据法约定没有排除冲突规范和《联合国国际货物销售合同公约》

“适用某地法律”没有说明是否包括其法律冲突规则,可能引发反致或者转致争议。涉外货物销售还应明确是否适用《联合国国际货物销售合同公约》(CISG)。如果双方本意是完全按照选定法域的国内实体法处理,却没有排除CISG,合同解释和救济规则可能偏离预期。

审查及修改建议:准据法应当明确为选定法域的实体法,并排除将合同指向其他法域的法律选择规则。本文示范条款采用明确排除CISG的口径,避免双方对其是否适用产生争议。

示范条款(英文):

This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the Parties shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the People’s Republic of China, without giving effect to any choice-of-law rules that may direct the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods shall not apply to this Agreement or its subject matter.

示范条款(中文):

本合同以及双方在本合同项下的权利和义务,受中华人民共和国法律管辖并依其解释,但不适用可能导致其他法域法律适用的法律选择规则。《联合国国际货物销售合同公约》不适用于本合同及其标的事项。

(三)仲裁条款只写仲裁机构,没有写明完整程序要素

仲裁机构名称不完整,或者没有约定仲裁地、语言、仲裁员人数和裁决效力,都会增加程序争议。仲裁地决定仲裁程序法和司法协助法院,不能与开庭地点混为一谈。争议金额较小仍一律采用三名仲裁员,也会显著增加维权成本。

审查及修改建议:仲裁条款应写明仲裁机构的完整名称、适用规则、仲裁地、仲裁语言、仲裁庭人数及裁决的终局性。争议金额不超过100万美元的,由一名仲裁员审理;超过100万美元的,由三名仲裁员审理。仲裁费、专家费和合理律师费由败诉方承担;双方各有胜负的,按照裁决结果分担。

示范条款(英文):

Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, including any question regarding its existence, validity, interpretation, performance, breach or termination, shall be submitted to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) for arbitration in Beijing in accordance with the CIETAC Arbitration Rules. The language of the arbitration shall be English. Where the amount in dispute does not exceed US$1,000,000, the tribunal shall consist of one arbitrator; otherwise, it shall consist of three arbitrators, with each Party nominating one arbitrator and the two nominated arbitrators nominating the presiding arbitrator. The arbitral award shall be final and binding on both Parties. The arbitration costs, experts’ fees and reasonable attorneys’ fees shall be borne by the unsuccessful Party or, where each Party prevails in part, apportioned by the tribunal in proportion to the outcome.

示范条款(中文):

因本合同引起或者与本合同有关的任何争议,包括有关本合同存在、效力、解释、履行、违约或者终止的任何争议,均应提交中国国际经济贸易仲裁委员会(CIETAC),按照其仲裁规则在北京进行仲裁。仲裁语言为英语。争议金额不超过1,000,000美元的,仲裁庭由一名仲裁员组成;超过该金额的,仲裁庭由三名仲裁员组成,双方各指定一名仲裁员,两名已指定的仲裁员共同指定首席仲裁员。仲裁裁决为终局裁决,对双方均有约束力。仲裁费用、专家费用和合理律师费由败诉方承担;双方各有胜负的,由仲裁庭根据裁决结果按比例分担。

(四)技术报告被约定为终局结论,临时救济又被仲裁条款排除

质量和质保争议中,买方可能要求将其委托机构出具的调查报告约定为终局证据,或者要求卖方必须在极短期限内提出仲裁,否则丧失异议权。另一方面,如果仲裁条款被写成排除法院的一切管辖,产品扣押、证据保全或者禁令等紧急措施可能无法及时取得。

审查及修改建议:技术或者质保报告只能作为证据,不应当然约束双方或者限制提起仲裁的期限。任何一方在仲裁前或者仲裁期间向有管辖权的法院申请临时措施,不构成放弃仲裁协议;仲裁庭同样可以在其权限范围内作出临时措施。

示范条款(英文):

Any technical, inspection or warranty report shall constitute evidence only and may be challenged by either Party in the arbitration. No such report shall be final or binding, or shorten the period within which a Party may commence arbitration. Before the constitution of the tribunal or during the arbitration, either Party may seek interim or conservatory relief from any court of competent jurisdiction, and such application shall not constitute a waiver of this arbitration agreement. The tribunal may also grant interim measures within its authority.

示范条款(中文):

任何技术、检验或者质保报告仅作为证据使用,任何一方均有权在仲裁中提出异议。该等报告不具有终局约束力,也不得缩短任何一方提起仲裁的期限。在仲裁庭组成前或者仲裁期间,任何一方均可向有管辖权的法院申请临时或者保全措施,该等申请不构成对仲裁协议的放弃。仲裁庭亦可在其权限范围内采取临时措施。

五、通知、生效及其他通用条款的审核

(一)通知(Notices)方式和送达时间不能实际执行

通知条款如果只允许传真或者国际挂号信,可能已经不符合双方日常履约方式;如果要求对方实际阅读后才生效,发件人又很难证明送达。联系人离职或者地址变更后未及时通知,也会使付款催告、违约通知和终止通知失效。

审查及修改建议:合同应至少列明双方联系人、地址和电子邮箱,并明确专人递送、快递和电子邮件的送达标准。联系方式变更应由变更方书面通知,在通知到达前,发送至原联系方式的文件仍应有效。

示范条款(英文):

All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the address or email address specified below. A notice shall be deemed received: (i) if delivered by hand or courier, when delivery is recorded at the recipient’s address; and (ii) if sent by email, at the time of transmission, provided that the sender does not receive an automated notice of failed delivery, or, if sent outside the recipient’s normal business hours, at 9:00 a.m. on the next Business Day. A Party may change its notice details by written notice to the other Party. Until such change is received, a notice sent to the previously designated details shall remain valid.

示范条款(中文):

本合同项下的所有通知均应采用书面形式,并发送至下方列明的地址或者电子邮箱。通知按照以下时间视为送达:(1)专人递送或者快递送达的,以收件地址记录的交付时间为准;(2)电子邮件发送的,以邮件发出且发件人未收到系统退信通知的时间为准,但在收件人正常工作时间以外发送的,视为于收件人下一个工作日上午9时送达。任何一方可以书面通知另一方变更通知信息;在另一方收到变更通知前,发送至原指定联系方式的通知仍为有效通知。

(二)没有完整协议(Entire Agreement)和书面变更(Amendments)条款

涉外交易往往经历报价、邮件、会议纪要和多轮合同文本。正式合同没有约定其取代此前沟通,可能使已经放弃的报价条件或者谈判表述重新进入争议。合同同时约定“变更须书面签署”,但订单、会议纪要或者邮件又可以单方调整义务,也会削弱正式变更程序。

审查及修改建议:合同应明确其与附件构成双方关于本次交易的完整协议,并取代此前所有相关协商和文件。任何变更、补充或者修改均须采用书面形式并由双方正式授权人员签署,避免业务沟通被解释为已经变更合同。

示范条款(英文):

This Agreement and its Exhibits constitute the entire agreement between the Parties concerning its subject matter and supersede all prior or contemporaneous proposals, negotiations, representations, communications and agreements concerning that subject matter. No amendment, supplement or modification shall be valid or binding unless made in writing, expressly identified as an amendment to this Agreement and duly executed by authorized representatives of both Parties.

示范条款(中文):

本合同及其附件构成双方就本合同标的事项达成的完整协议,并取代此前或者同期与该事项有关的所有建议、谈判、陈述、沟通和协议。任何变更、补充或者修改,除非采用书面形式、明确说明系对本合同的修改,并由双方授权代表正式签署,否则不发生效力或者约束力。

(三)一次未追责被解释为永久弃权(Waiver)

一方基于合作关系暂未追究迟延付款或者交付责任,不代表其放弃合同权利。合同如果没有不弃权条款,对方可能将一次宽限、迟延主张或者未立即采取救济解释为永久放弃相关权利。

审查及修改建议:不弃权(Non-Waiver)条款应明确,未行使或者迟延行使权利不构成弃权,单次弃权也不适用于后续违约。任何弃权均应由作出弃权的一方书面确认,并仅对确认的具体事项有效。

示范条款(英文):

No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right or remedy shall operate as a waiver of that right or remedy, and a waiver of any breach shall not constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach. No waiver shall be effective unless made in writing by the waiving Party, and any such waiver shall apply only to the specific matter expressly identified therein.

示范条款(中文):

任何一方未行使或者迟延行使任何权利或者救济,不构成对该项权利或者救济的放弃;一方对某次违约作出的弃权,不构成对后续违约的弃权。任何弃权均须由作出弃权的一方书面确认方为有效,且仅适用于书面文件明确列明的具体事项。

(四)个别条款无效影响整个合同的继续履行

合同中的个别约定可能因强制性法律、监管要求或者其他原因被认定为无效或者不可执行。如果合同没有可分割性安排,一方可能据此主张整个合同失效;但继续保留其余条款,也不能改变双方订立合同的实质目的。

审查及修改建议:可分割性(Severability)条款应保留合同其余部分的效力,并以合同主要目的仍能实现为前提。双方还应以最接近原商业目的的有效约定替代无效或者不可执行的条款。

示范条款(英文):

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force to the extent that the material purpose of this Agreement can still be achieved. The Parties shall replace the affected provision with a valid and enforceable provision that most closely reflects its original commercial purpose.

示范条款(中文):

本合同任何条款被认定为无效或者不可执行的,在本合同主要目的仍可实现的范围内,其余条款继续完全有效。双方应以最接近原商业目的且合法、可执行的条款替代受影响条款。

(五)协作关系被扩大为合伙、合资或者代理

买卖双方在项目中相互配合,并不当然构成合伙、合资或者代理关系。如果合同没有明确双方的独立地位,一方的项目沟通、现场配合或者人员安排可能被解释为有权代表另一方作出承诺。

审查及修改建议:合同应明确双方为独立合同主体(Independent Contractors),双方之间不构成合伙、合资、代理、信义或者劳动关系,任何一方无权未经书面授权代表另一方作出承诺。

示范条款(英文):

The Parties are independent contracting parties. Nothing in this Agreement creates any partnership, joint venture, agency, fiduciary or employment relationship between them, and neither Party has authority to make any representation, incur any obligation or otherwise bind the other Party without its prior written authorization.

示范条款(中文):

双方均为独立合同主体。本合同不在双方之间创设任何合伙、合资、代理、信义或者劳动关系;未经另一方事先书面授权,任何一方均无权代表另一方作出任何陈述、承担任何义务或者以其他方式约束另一方。

(六)合同对非签约主体创设权利或者义务

合同不应因为产品最终用于下游项目,就直接对项目业主、融资方或者其他非签约主体创设注意义务和赔偿责任。反过来,除非合同明确约定第三方受益权,非合同当事人也不应直接依据本合同向任何一方主张权利。

审查及修改建议:第三方权利(Third-Party Rights)条款应明确,除合同明示的权利人外,非合同当事人不因本合同取得权利,双方也不因本合同对其承担独立义务、注意标准或者责任。

示范条款(英文):

Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, nothing herein creates any duty, standard of care, right or liability in favor of or toward any person who is not a Party to this Agreement, and no such person shall be entitled to enforce any provision of this Agreement.

示范条款(中文):

除本合同另有明确约定外,本合同不为任何非合同当事人创设义务、注意标准、权利或者责任,任何该等主体均无权执行本合同的任何条款。

(七)电子签署后仍要求寄送纸质原件才能生效

跨境合同通常通过邮件交换签字页。如果合同一方面允许电子签署,另一方面又要求纸质原件寄达后才生效,双方可能对合同生效时间产生争议。生效条款还应避免附加未经确认的董事会批准、融资交割或者第三方同意等条件。

审查及修改建议:合同可以分份签署(Counterparts),各份共同构成同一文件;签字页以PDF等电子形式交付即具有与纸质原件相同的效力。合同应在双方授权代表完成签署之日生效,不再以寄送纸质原件或者未在合同中明确列明的第三方批准为条件。

示范条款(英文):

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together constitute one instrument. A signed counterpart or signature page delivered by email in PDF or other agreed electronic format shall have the same effect as delivery of a manually signed original. This Agreement shall become effective on the date on which it has been signed by the authorized representatives of both Parties, without any requirement to exchange paper originals.

示范条款(中文):

本合同可以签署一份或者多份副本,每份均视为原件,所有副本共同构成同一份文件。通过电子邮件以PDF或者双方同意的其他电子格式交付的已签署副本或者签字页,与交付亲笔签署的纸质原件具有同等效力。本合同自双方授权代表均完成签署之日起生效,无须另行交换纸质原件。

下期预告

下一篇《公司法务如何审查涉外销售合同(二):交付、付款、检验、质保与转让条款》将讨论合同履行阶段的主要风险及修改方法。