Course: Legal Technician English

Lesson 10: Contract

TEACHER: MG. KAREN Y. ESCALERA VICENTE
 Characteristics of Legal English
Capital letter: serve identify defined terms.
Synonym: don´t use synonym, use the same word for avoid confusion.

This agreement is personal to the Employee
and the Employee shall not assign any part
of the Employee’s rights or delegate any
part of the Employee’s obligations under
this agreement to any other person, except
that the Employee may assign the
Employee’s rights under this agreement to
the Employee’s personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators,
heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
Este acuerdo es personal para el empleado
y el empleado no asignará ninguna parte
de los derechos del empleado ni delegará
ninguna parte de las obligaciones del
empleado bajo este acuerdo a
cualquier otra persona, excepto que el
empleado puede asignar los derechos del
empleado bajo este acuerdo al personal o
legal del empleado representantes,
ejecutores, administradores, herederos,
distribuidores, ideales y legados
• Latin and French expressions
Ad hoc- para este fin
Affidavit- declaración jurada o firmada
plaintiff- demandante
• Common words with special meaning
• Use of archaism: Old words or phrases
Master and servant- empleador y empleado
Where – cuando
Provided that- sin embargo, siempre y cuando, bien entendido que…
False cognates
Words in two
different
languages
• Doublets and trebels are lexical
repetition.
• doublets
• Able and willing (estar dispuesto a
algo).
• Terms and conditions (cláusulas de
un contrato).
• Agree and acknowledge
(manifestar el conocimiento y la
aceptación de un hecho).
• All and every (todos y cada uno).
• Indemnify and hold harmless
(exonerar de responsabilidad).
• Trebels
• Cancel, annul and set aside
(cancelar).
• Form, manner and method (de
una determinada manera).
• Give, devise and bequeath (dejar
en testamento).
• Hold, possess and enjoy (tener la
posesión y el disfrute de algo).
• Right, title and interest (derechos
de propiedad).
 What Is a Contract?
A contract is an agreement
between two or more parties to
perform a service, provide a
product or commit to an act and is
enforceable by law.
There are several types of
contracts, and each have specific
terms and conditions.
Contract = Agreement +
Enforceability at Law
(Acuerdo + exigibilidad de la
ley)
An agreement between two parties who promise to
give and receive something from each other, known as
consideration, and who intend the agreement to be
legally binding
UN contrato es un acuerdo
entre dos o más partes para
realizar un servicio,
proporcionar un producto o
comprometerse a un acto y es
exigible por la ley.
Hay varios tipos de contratos,
y cada uno tiene términos y
condiciones específicos.
 What´s the contract?

An agreement between two or

more parties in which a promise is
made to do or provide something in
return for a valuable benefit.
Contract is based in common law.
 Agreement vs. Contract
Agreement
• An Agreement is each and every
promise which is made.
• Every Agreement is not a Contract.
• An Agreement is not enforceable
by Law.
• An Agreement is an informal
document.
• An Agreement could be verbal or
written.
Contract
• A Contract is an Agreement which
is legally enforceable.
• Every Contract is an Agreement
• A contract is enforceable by Law.
• A Contract is a formal document.
• A Contract has to be in written.
Examples:
• Bob invites Hilary to dinner and Hilarry
accepts the invitation. It is only a social
agreement and not enforceable in a
court of law. So It is not a contract.

• Bob agrees to sell his house to Hilary for

$50,000. This is a contract.

• Peter and Sue to go together to a picnic

doesn´t not créate any obligation on
either side and is not therefore
enforceable in law. Is a contract or an
agreement?
 Elements of contract
The elements of common-law. All elements are required for a valid contract

• Offer (oferta)
• Acceptance (aceptación)
• Consideration (consideración)
• Mutuality (mutualidad)
• Capacity (capacidad)
• Legally acceptable terms (términos legalmente aceptables)
 Elements of contract
Offer:
• An offer is a promise made by the offeror. A
proposal to another party to enter into an
agreement on certain terms. Money and
another thing of value in exchange for
performance.
• Example: I’m proposing to sell my car to you.
• The offeror or promisor is the person making
the offer or proposal. (I)
• The offeree or promisee is the person who
accepts or receives the offer or proposal. (YOU)
 Elements of contract
Acceptance:
• An expression of definite and unconditional
agreement set out in the offer.
• Occurs when an offeree (buyer) agrees to
be mutually bound to the terms of the
contract by giving
• It can be oral or in written formal.
• Another party must accept the offer.

• Example: the offeree accepts to buy the car.

• The offeree or promise is the person who
accepts or receives the offer or proposal. (YOU)
 Element of contract
• Consideration: The mutual (on both sides)
exchange of something in value(two things must
be exchanged) or the money or something of value
being exchanged between the parties.
• Example: a salesman sells a product for cash.

• Mutuality: The intent of both parties to carry out

their promise.
• Capacity: legal ability to enter into a contract.
Capacity of the parties in terms of age and mental
ability.
• Example: the person must be over 18 years old.

• Legally acceptable terms: Legally enforceable

terms and conditions, also called object of the
contract.
Example:
• Offer:
I will buy my bike for $20
• Acceptance:
Okay
• Mutuality:
Both parties agree to everything
about the contract.
• Consideration:
Something of value is exchanged. (bike
and $20)
Identifies contract elements
• Richard says to Charles, “I’ll sell you my
car for $6000 ". Charles replies, “I
agree”. Then they sing the contract.
• Offer: • Sell car
• Acceptance: • Agree
• Consideration: • $ 6 000
• Mutuality: • Promise
• Capacity: • Legal ability
• Legally acceptable terms • contract
 Identify the elements of the
• When the buyer offers to sell his contract:
car to Charly for $5 000, there is
an obligation on the buyer to sell
and on Charly to buy the car at
the stipulated price. Such an
agreement is therefore,
enforceable by law.

• Mary and Jhon entered into an

agreement that Mary offered to
sell his land for a consideration of
$ 10 000 and Jhon accepted the
offer by paying the consideration
to Mary. This contract is valid.
 Structure of the contract
(Tomada, con alguna modificación, de Fabra y Castillo, 1991).
(Tomada, con adaptación, de Borja,
En la ciudad de …., día, mes y año.
1998).
REUNIDOS:
1. Commencement (Introducción) De una parte, Don ….., mayor de edad, casado, con domicilio en …. y
2. Recitals/Preamble (Relación de provisto de N.I.F. ……, en lo sucesivo vendedor.

hechos) Y de otra, Don …., en lo sucesivo comprador [referenciar las mismas

circunstancias personales que en el apartado anterior referidas al
WHEREAS… otro contratante).
INTERVIENEN:
WHEREAS….
Ambas partes intervienen en su propio nombre y derecho, se
[…] reconocen mutua capacidad de obrar y obligarse y a tal efecto,
EXPONEN:
AND WHEREAS
QUE …
Now therefore, this Agreement QUE…
witnesseth that…/Now it is hereby
[…]
agreed as follows…
QUE…, por lo que ambas partes otorgan el presente
CONTRATO DE COMPRAVENTA con sujeción a las siguientes
 Structure of the contract
3. Operative part (Sección efectiva) ESTIPULACIONES (CLÁUSULAS,
CONDICIONES…):
Article 1. Title: …
• PRIMERA.
Article 2. Title: … • SEGUNDA.
• Definitions (definiciones) • […]
• Conditions precedent (condiciones previas) • ENÉSIMA.
• Other operative provisions (otras cláusulas Y en prueba de conformidad y
operativas) aceptación, firman el presente por
• Boiler plate (miscelánea) duplicado
4. Testimonium clause (Fórmula de conclusión) ejemplar en el lugar y fecha al
In witness whereof, the parties… principio indicados (indicados ut
supra).
5. Signatures (Firma)
6. Schedules/Annexes/ Exhibits (Anexos)
Firmado: …… Firmado: ……
Commencement
• THIS AGREEMENT is dated [●]
2016 and made in London.
• This Contract is made on [xx]
2012
• BETWEEN:
• COMPANY A (as Seller); and
• COMPANY B (as Buyer).
• El presente Contrato, de fecha
[●] de 2012, se celebra en la
ciudad de Londres.
• El presente Contrato se celebra
el [xx] de 2012
• ENTRE:
• La Sociedad A (en calidad de
Vendedor); y
• la Sociedad B (en calidad de
Comprador).
Recitals
• NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the premises and
the mutual agreements and
covenants set forth herein, and
for other good and valuable
consideration, the Parties hereby
agree as follows.
• Now this contract witnesses and
it is agreed and declared as
follows,
• IT IS AGREED as follows:
• Por todo lo antedicho, como
contrapartida a los acuerdos alcanzados
y los compromisos adquiridos en el
presente contrato, y acambio de una
contraprestación adecuada, las partes
pactan lo siguiente.
• En virtud de lo cual, las partes acuerdan
suscribir el presente contrato que habrá
de regirse por las siguientes,
• Las partes convienen lo siguiente:
Operative part: definitions
• In this Contract, titles and Clause • En el presente Contrato, los
headings are included for ease of títulos y los encabezados de las
reference and shall not affect the claúsulas se incluyen
construction of this Contract. exclusivamente a modo de
referencia, y no afectarán a su
interpretación.
Testimonium clause
• IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties
hereby sign this Agreement in the
date and place first above written.
• In witness whereof, the Parties
have duly executed this Agreement
in two originals in the place and on
the date first above written.
• Las partes manifiestan su
conformidad con el presente
Contrato y, a tal efecto, lo firman
en el lugar y la fecha indicados en
el encabezamiento.
• Y, en prueba de cuanto antecede,
las Partes suscriben el presente
Contrato, en dos ejemplares y a un
solo efecto, en el lugar y la fecha
señalados en el encabezamiento.
Form of contract
The contract can be:

• Written
• Oral
• Partly oral and written
Contract Types Two main types:
• Simple contract:
• Contracts include most day-to-day transactions
• Can be written, implied, or verbal
• Most should be in writing (easier to prove)
• Simple contract need not be formal as long as basic requirements are met
• Express contract (may be verbal or written)
• Implied contract (these are agreements made through actions)

• Under seal contract:

• Some contracts must be in writing, dated, signed, witnessed and under seal.
• The seal tells the courts that great deal of serious thought went into the contract.
• It tells that both parties their rights and responsibilities.
• Common contracts under seal include: wills(voluntades), home purchases, and
mortgages (hipotecas).
 TYPES OF CONTRACT
• Express (Express contract is a contract in which the
terms of the contract are stated verbally, either orally
or in writing)

• Implied (An implied contract is one which is inferred

from the act or conduct of the parties or course of
dealings between them.)
• Implied in fact
• Implied in law contract or Quasi contract

• Bilateral (In a bilateral contract both of the parties

involved promise to carry out certain things)
Types of implied contract
• Implied in fact: A contract in which
an agreement is seemingly
intended among the parties
involved, but not particularly
verbally (in writing).
• Implied-In-Law Contract: This is
also known as a Quasi-Contract. It
isn’t actually a contract; this is a
contract that exists by order of a
court, no by agreement of the
parties. It is a legal substitute for a
contract. they bring the parties
without being contract.
• Implicado de un hecho: un
contrato en el cual un acuerdo se
piensa al parecer entre las partes
implicadas, pero no
particularmente verbalmente (por
escrito).
• Contrato implícito en la ley: esto
también se conoce como cuasi-
contrato. En realidad no es un
contrato; este es un contrato que
existe por orden de un tribunal, no
por acuerdo de las partes. Traen las
partes de un contrato sin serlo.
• Unilateral (A Unilateral contract is a contract in
which one of the party (offeror) demands
performance from the other party (offeree),
instead of a promise. Mutual promises are not
necessary to constitute a contract. In which one
party performs an act in exchange for the other
party’s promise.

• Void contract: It is an agreement to do illegal things

or it hasn´t legal elements.

• Voidable Contracts: A contract is voidable if one of

the parties has the option to abort the contract.
this is one that may become unenforceable by one
party but can be enforced by the other.
 Examples of the contracts
Unilateral (Only one party to the contract Bilateral (Both parties to the contract
makes a promise. there is an offer on one side, and make promises to one another)
the other side accepts by taking the action
requested.) • example: I promise to pay the car
• example: Joe promises Matt that he will wash $15 in exchange for the car
pay him $100 if Matt finds his dog. Joe's wash's promise to clean my car.
performance of the contract depends on
what Matt does. If he finds the dog, Joe
must pay him.
 Examples:
Express contract
Implied contract • A wrote a letter to B stating “offer to
sell my car for$ 30 000 to you”, B
• A enters a hotel, takes coffee accepts the offer by letter sent to A.
and pays the bill. Here, offer This is an express contract.
and acceptance are inferred
from the conduct of the
parties. In the same way,
where a person enters a
public bus, or obtains a ticket
from an automatic teller
machines there is an implied
contract.
Examples:
Express contract
• A says to B “will you purchase my
bike for $200?” B says “yes” to A.
Quasi contract
• A finds lost goods of B, A is bound
legally to return good back to B
Implied contract
• Bruce stops a taxi with his hand
and boards it. Bruce will pay the
prescribed fare on reaching his
destination.
 Examples
Voidable contract
• Jhon agrees to sell and deliver 10
bags of rice to Yeny for $ 2500 within
on week. But Jhon doesn´t supply to
wheat within the specified time. The
contract becomes voidable contract.
Valid contract
• X offer to marry Y. Y accepts X´s offer.
This is a valid contract
Void contract
• Zack offers to marry Beth. Beth
accepts Zack´s offer. Later on Beth
dies. This contract was valid at the
time of its creation or formations but
now became void by the death of
Beth.
Don´t forget!!!
• Express contract: stated in words and may
be either oral or written.
• Implied contract: contract that comes
about from the actions of the parties.
• Bilateral contract: contains two promises
one bye each person
• Unilateral contract: contains one promise
only
• Offeror. One who makes an offer.
• Offeree. One to whom an offer is
made.
• Promisor. One who makes a promise.
• Promisee. One to whom a promise is
made.
• Obligor. One who makes and has an
obligation.
• Obligee. One to whom an obligation is
made.
• Transferor. One who makes a transfer.
• Transferee. One to whom a transfer is
made.
Activity in class
• Read it carefully. Then look in
the contract for some of those
terms defined and pay attention
to how they are used.
• Look the contract and search the
false cognates