(语言晦涩，含义不清，表达错误之处敬请指出，非常感谢！）

Chapter 4 Formation of Contracts----Consideration

第四章 合同的成立—对价

Topic 1 The Requirement of Consideration

第一节 对价的要求

71. Requirement of Exchange; Types of Exchange交换要素；交换的种类

(1) To constitute consideration, a performance or return promise must be bargained for.受诺人的履行或诺言要构成对价，必须是磋商交换的对象。

(2) A performance or return promise is bargained for if it is sought by the promisor in exchange for his promise and is given by the promisee in exchange for that promise.受诺人的履行或诺言是磋商交换的对象，指诺言人为了得到它而以自己的诺言作交换，受诺人付出它是为了与诺言人的诺言作交换。

(3) The performance may consist of受诺人的履行包括：

   (a) an act other than a promise, or除作出诺言以外的行为；

   (b) a forbearance, or有权行为而放弃；

   (c) the creation, modification, or destruction of a legal relation.设立、变更或消灭法律关系。

(4) The performance or return promise may be given to the promisor or to some other person. It may be given by the promisee or by some other person. 履行或者回报诺言可以给予诺言人，也可以给予他人；可以由受诺人提供，也可以由他人提供。

72. Exchange of Promise for Performance履行作为交换的对象

Except as stated in 73 and 74, any performance which is bargained for is consideration.除73条和74条的规定外，作为磋商对象的任何履行都是对价。

73. Performance of Legal Duty履行法定义务

Performance of a legal duty owed to a promisor which is neither doubtful nor the subject of honest dispute is not consideration, but a similar performance is consideration if it differs from what was required by the duty in a way which reflects more than a pretense of bargain.向诺言人履行应该履行的法定义务，义务既不存疑又确无争端的，履行不是对价；但如果履行虽与法定义务相似，但与法定义务要求不同，且真实反映当事人的磋商的，则构成对价。

74. Settlement of Claims权利请求的和解

(1) Forbearance to assert or the surrender of a claim or defense which proves to be invalid is not consideration unless不主张或放弃请求或抗辩的，如果请求或抗辩证明无效，则不构成对价，但下列情况除外：

(a) the claim or defense is in fact doubtful because of uncertainty as to the facts or the law, or由于事实或法律的不确定性，请求或抗辩事实上存有疑问的；

(b) the forbearing or surrendering party believes that the claim or defense may be fairly determined to be valid.不主张或者放弃的一方相信，该请求或抗辩很可能会确定为有效的。

(2) The exe-cution of a written instrument surrendering a claim or defense by one who is under no duty to exe-cute it is consideration if the exe-cution of the written instrument is bargained for even though he is not asserting the claim or defense and believes that no valid claim or defense exist-s.如果经诺言人磋商，受诺人虽无义务但却通过有效的书面文书放弃请求或者抗辩的，该放弃构成对价，即使受诺人没有主张该请求或者抗辩，也认为有效的请求或抗辩并不存在。

75. Exchange of Promise for Promise 诺言作为交换的对象

   Except as stated in 76 and 77, a promise which is bargained for is consideration if, but only if, the promised performance would be consideration. 除第76和77条的规定以外，作为磋商对象的诺言，只有其许诺的履行本身能够构成对价时，诺言才能构成对价。

76. Conditional Promise附条件的诺言

(1) A conditional promise is not consideration if the promisor knows at the time of making the promise that the condition cannot occur.做出附条件的诺言时，诺言人知道条件不会出现的，该诺言不是对价。

(2) A promise conditional on a performance by the promisor is a promise of alternative performances within 77 unless occurrence of the condition is also promised.以诺言人的某一履行为条件的诺言，为第77条规定的选择履行，条件的出现也是诺言内容的除外。

77. Illusory and Alternative Promises虚幻及选择性诺言

A promise or apparent promise is not consideration if by its terms the promisor or purported promisor reserves a choice of alternative performances unless除下列情况以外，诺言或者表见诺言的条款表明，诺言人或者己称诺言人有数个履行选择权的，该诺言或者表见诺言不是对价：

(a) each of the alternative performances would have been consideration if it alone has been bargained for, or若每个选择项都独自构成磋商对象，这些选择项都可以单独构成对价的；

(b) one of the alternative performances would have been consideration and there is or appears to the parties to be a substantial possibility that before the promisor exercises his choice events may eliminate the alternatives which would not have been consideration.选择项之一构成对价，且不能构成对价的选择项有极大的可能，或者当事人认为有极大的可能，在诺言人选择之前会消失的。

78. Voidable and Unenforceable Promises可撤销的、不可强制执行的诺言

The fact that a rule of law renders a promise voidable or unenforceable does not prevent it from being consideration.由于法律规则使得诺言可撤销或者无法强制执行的，并不影响该诺言成为对价。

79. Adequacy of Consideration; Mutuality of Obligation对价的公平性；义务的相互性

If the requirement of consideration is met, there is no additional requirement of如果对价的要求已经达到，则不需要再满足如下条件：

(a) a gain, advantage, or benefit to the promisor or a loss, disadvantage, or detriment to the promisee; or诺言人有所得、优势或利益，或者受诺人有所失、劣势或损害；

(b) equivalence in the values exchanged, or交换价值的对等；

(c) “mutuality of obligation”.“义务的相互性”。

80. Multiple Exchanges多项交换

(1) There is consideration for a set of promises if what is bargained for and given in exchange would have been consideration for each promise in the set if exchanged for that promise alone.如果一组诺言的磋商交换对象构成该组每一个诺言的对价，如同受诺人逐一交换诺言一样，则该组诺言具有对价。

(2) The fact that part of what is bargained for would not have been consideration if that part alone had been bargained for does not prevent the whole from being consideration. 只交换交易对象的一部分时，该部分并不构成对价的，并不影响磋商对象整体成为对价。

81. Consideration as Motive or Inducing Cause对价与动机或诱因

(1) The fact that what is bargained for does not of itself induce the making of a promise does not prevent it from being consideration for the promise.磋商交换对象本身并不能诱发诺言人作出诺言的，并不影响磋商对象成为诺言的对价。

(2) The fact that a promise does not of itself induce a performance or return promise does not prevent the performance or return promise from being consideration for the promise.诺言本身不能诱发对方的履行或者诺言的，并不影响对方的履行或者诺言成为对价。

 

Topic 2 Contracts without Consideration

第二节 无对价合同

82. Promise to pay indebtedness; Effect on the Statute of Limitations偿还债务的诺言；对诉讼时效法的影响

(1) A promise to pay all or part of an antecedent contractual or quasi-contractual indebtedness owed by the promisor is binding if the indebtedness is still enforceable or would be except for the effect of a statute of limitations.许诺对自己先前的合同或准合同债务全部或者部分偿还的，如果债务仍然可以强制执行，或者若非诉讼时效法的规定仍可以强制执行的，该诺言具有拘束力。

(2) The following facts operate as such a promise unless other facts indicate a different intention:除非事实表明诺言人另有意图，下列情况即属于第一款规定的诺言

(a) A voluntary acknowledgment to the oblige, admitting the present existence of the antecedent indebtedness; or向债权人主动认可先前的债务，承认其现在仍然存在的；

(b) A voluntary transfer of money, a negotiable instrument, or other thing by the obligor to the obligee, made as interest on or part payment of or collateral security for the antecedent indebtedness; or债务人主动向债权人移交款项、流通票据、或者其他物品，以做先前债务的利息、部分付款、或者附加担保的；

(c) A statement to the obligee that the statute of limitations will not be pleaded as a defense.向债权人声明，不会提出诉讼时效的抗辩的。

83. Promise to pay indebtedness discharged in bankruptcy偿还破产免除的债务的诺言

An express promise to pay all or part of an indebtedness of the promisor, discharged or dischargeable in bankruptcy proceedings which begun before the promise is made, is binding.破产程序开始后，明确许诺全部或部分偿还因破产已被免除或者可以免除的债务的，该诺言有拘束力。

84. Promise to Perform a Duty in Spite of Nonoccurrence of a Condition条件没出现仍许诺履行的诺言

(1) Except as stated in Subsection (2), a promise to perform all or part of a conditional duty under an antecedent contract in spite of the non-occurrence of the condition is binding, whether the promise is made before or after the time for the condition to occur, unless除了第（2）款的规定外，许诺无论条件实现与否，仍将全部或部分履行先前合同中附条件义务的，无论该诺言在条件期待实现的时间到来以前还是以后做出，都具有拘束力；出现下列情况之一的，诺言无拘束力：

(a) occurrence of the condition was a material part of the agreed exchange for the performance of the duty and the promisee was under no duty that it occur; or条件的实现是诺言人交易对象的实质部分，且受诺人对条件的实现不负义务；

(b) uncertainty of the occurrence of the condition was an element of the risk assumed by the promisor.条件实现的不确定性是诺言人承担的风险中的一个因素。

(2) If such a promise is made before the time for the occurrence of the condition has expired and the condition is within the control of the promisee or a beneficiary, the promisor can make his duty again subject to the condition by notifying the promisee or beneficiary of his intention to do so if该诺言做出时条件实现的期限尚未届满，且条件受控于受诺人或受益人的，如果同时满足下列条件，诺言人经通知受诺人或者受益人，其义务可以重新依附于该条件：

    (a) the notification is received while there is still a reasonable time to cause the condition to occur under the antecedent terms or an extension given by the promisor; and通知收到时，按照先前合同的条款，或者在诺言人给予的展期内，条件实现仍然有合理的时间。

    (b) reinstatement of the requirement of the condition is not unjust because of a material change of position by the promisee or beneficiary; and不会因为受诺人或者受益人地位的实质性改变使得条件的恢复导致不公；

    (c) the promise is not binding apart from the rule stated in Subsection (1).除第（1）款规定的情况以外，该诺言无拘束力。

85. Promise to Perform a Voidable Duty履行可撤销义务的诺言

Except as stated in 93, a promise to perform all or part of an antecedent contract of the promisor, previously voidable by him, but not avoided prior to the making of the promise, is binding.除93条的规定外，许诺全部或部分履行先前合同的，若诺言人有撤销权但许诺前尚未撤销的，诺言有拘束力。

86. Promise for Benefit Received因收到利益而许诺

(1) A promise made in recognition of a benefit previously received by the promisor from the promisee is binding to the extent necessary to prevent injustice.诺言人因先前收到受诺人的利益而做出诺言的，在避免不公的限度内有拘束力。

(2) A promise is not binding under Subsection (1)满足下列条件之一的，第（1）款规定的诺言无拘束力：

    (a) if the promisee conferred the benefit as a gift or for other reasons the promisor has not been unjustly enriched; or受诺人将利益赠与的，或者由于其他原因诺言人没有不当得利的；

    (b) to the extent that its value is disproportionate to the benefit.诺言价值和利益价值不相称的。

87. Option Contract选择权合同

(1) An offer is binding as an option contract if it要约满足下列条件之一的，构成有拘束力的选择权合同：

    (a) is in writing and signed by the offeror, recites a purported consideration for the making of the offer, and proposes an exchange on fair terms within a reasonable time; or要约书面做成并经要约人签署，载明了要约的宣称对价，提议按照公平条款在合理时间内交换的；

    (b) is made irrevocable by statute.制定法规定不可撤销的。

(2) An offer which the offeror should reasonably expect to induce action or forbearance of a substantial character on the part of the offeree before acceptance and which does induce such action or forbearance is binding as an option contract to the extent necessary to avoid injustice.要约人能够合理预见到，要约会诱使受要约人在承诺前采取实质性的行为或者放弃行为，且确实已导致了该行为或行为的放弃的，要约在避免不公的必要范围内有拘束力，构成选择权合同。

88. Guaranty保证

A promise to be surety for the performance of a contractual obligation, made to the obligee, is binding if向债权人许诺为合同义务的履行提供保证的诺言，满足下列条件之一的，具有拘束力：

(a) the promise is in writing and signed by the promisor and recites a purported consideration; or诺言书面做成，经诺言人签署并列述宣称对价的；

(b) the promise is made binding by statute; or制定法规定该诺言具有拘束力的；

(c) the promisor should reasonably expect the promise to induce action or forbearance of a substantial character on the part of the promisee or a third person, and the promise does induce such action or forbearance.诺言人能够合理预见，其诺言会诱使受诺人或第三人采取实质性的行为或者行为的放弃，且确实导致了此行为或行为的放弃的。

89. Modification of exe-cutory Contract待履行合同的变更

A promise modifying a duty under a contract not fully performed on either side is binding任何一方都未完全履行的合同，许诺变更合同义务的，如果满足下列条件之一，诺言具有拘束力：

(a) if the modification is fair and equitable in view of circumstances not anticipated by the parties when the contract was made; or鉴于合同订立时双方无法预见的情况，变更是公平合理的；

(b) to the extent provided by statute; or在制定法规定限度内的；

(c) to the extent that justice requires enforcement in view of material change of position in reliance on the promise.由于依赖诺言而实质性改变了地位，在公平正义要求强制执行的限度内的。

90. Promise Reasonably Inducing Action or Forbearance合理诱使行为或行为放弃的诺言

(1) A promise which the promisor should reasonably expect to induce action or forbearance on the part of the promisee or a third person and which does induce such action or forbearance is binding if injustice can be avoided only by enforcement of the promise. The remedy granted for breach may be limited as justice requires.诺言人能够合理预见，其诺言会诱使受诺人或第三人行为或放弃行为，且确实导致了该行为或行为的放弃的，如果只有执行该诺言才能避免不公平结果，则诺言具有拘束力。违约救济限于公平正义所要求的限度之内。

(2) A charitable subscription or a marriage settlement is binding under Subsection (1) without proof that the promise induced action or forbearance.属于慈善性捐赠或夫妻财产协议的，无需证明诺言诱使了行为或行为的放弃，即可具有第（1）款规定的约束力。

91. Effect of Promises Enumerated in §§82-90 When Conditional 如果82-90条中的诺言附条件

If a promise within the terms of §§82-90 is in terms conditional or performable at a future time the promisor is bound thereby, but performance becomes due only upon the occurrence of the condition or upon the arrival of the specified time.82-90条规定的诺言，如果其条款附有条件或者规定在将来某一时间履行的，诺言人仍然受其拘束，但只有在条件出现时或者规定时间到来时，才有履行的义务。

92. To Whom Promises Enumerated in §§82-85 must be Made82-85条中的诺言应向谁做出

The new promise referred to in §§82-85 is not binding unless it is made to a person who is then an obligee of the antecedent duty.82-85条规定的新诺言，只有向仍为先前义务债权人的人做出时，才有拘束力。

93. Promises Enumerated in §§ 82-85 Made in Ignorance of Facts如果82-85条中的诺言人对事实不了解而做出诺言

A promise within the terms of §§82-85 is not binding unless the promisor knew or had reason to know the essential facts of the previous transaction to which the promise relates, but his knowledge of the legal effect of the facts is immaterial.82-85条规定的诺言，只有诺言人知道或者应该知道与诺言有关的先前交易基本事实的，才有拘束力，但对该类事实法律后果的知晓无关紧要。

94. Stipulations诉讼协议

A promise or agreement with reference to a pending judicial proceeding, made by a party to the proceeding or his attorney, is binding without consideration. By statute or rule of court such an agreement is generally binding only针对尚未审结的司法程序，程序的一方或其律师做出诺言或协议的，不需对价即具有拘束力。根据制定法或者法庭裁定，该类协议一般只在下述情况有拘束力：

(a) if it is in writing and signed by the party or attorney, or书面做出并经当事人或者律师签字的；

(b) if it is made or admitted in the presence of the court, or当庭制作或经当庭承认的；

(c) to the extent that justice requires enforcement in view of material change of position in reliance on the promise or agreement.依赖诺言或协议而产生了地位的实质性改变，公平原则要求强制执行的。

 

TOPIC 3. CONTRACTS UNDER SEAL; WRITING

AS A STATUTORY SUBSTITUTE

FOR THE SEAL

第三节 盖印合同；书面形式作为盖印的法定替代

95. Requirements for Sealed Contract or Written Contract or
Instrument盖印合同、书面合同或文书的要求

(1) In the absence of statute a promise is binding without consideration if如果没有制定法规定，满足下列三个条件的诺言不需对价即有拘束力：

    (a) it is in writing and sealed; and书面做出并经盖印；

    (b) the document containing the promise is delivered; and载有诺言的文件已经交付；

    (c) the promisor and promisee are named in the document or so described as to be capable of identification when it is delivered.文件中列明了诺言人和受诺人，或者对二者做出描述并在交付时能够确认。

(2) When a statute provides in effect that a written contract or instrument is binding without consideration or lack of consideration is an affirmative defense to an action on a written contract or instrument, in order to be subject to the statute a promise must either如果制定法规定，书面合同或文书不需对价即有拘束力，或者在关于书面合同或文书的诉讼中缺乏对价属于肯定性答辩，要想使诺言适用于该法律，必须满足下列条件之一：

    (a) be expressed in a document signed or otherwise assented to by the promisor and delivered; or诺言书面做出并经诺言人签字，或者通过其他形式表示同意，并且已交付；

(b) be expressed in a writing or writings to which both promisor and promisee manifest assent.诺言通过一份或数份书面文件表达，且诺言人和受诺人双方都表示认可。

96．What Constitutes a Seal盖印的构成

(1) A seal is a manifestation in tangible and conventional form of an intention that a document be sealed.所谓盖印，就是通过可以触及的传统方式表达文书应该加盖印记的意图。

(2) A seal may take the form of a piece of wax, a wafer or other substance affixed to the document or of an impression made on the document.盖印的形式可以是封腊、封缄纸或者加付于文件上的物质，或者是在文件上加盖的印迹。

(3) By statute or decision in most States in which the seal retains significance a seal may take the form of a written or printed seal, word, scrawl or other sign.在盖印仍然有重要意义的大部分州，制定法或裁判可能规定，盖印可以是书面或者印刷的印章、词语、涂写等符号。

97. When a Promise is Sealed盖印的诺言

A written promise is sealed if the promisor affixes or impresses a seal on the document or adopts a seal already thereon.如果诺言人在书面诺言上加付或者加盖盖印，或者采用文件上已经存在的盖印时，该诺言就是盖印诺言。

98. Adoption of a Seal by Delivery通过交付采用盖印

Unless extrinsic circumstances manifest a contrary intention, the delivery of a written promise by the promisor amounts to the adoption of any seal then on the document which has apparent reference to his signature or to the signature of any party to the document.除非外在情况表明了相反的意图，诺言人交付书面诺言的，即表示采用了当时文件上与诺言人签字、或者文件的任何一方当事人的签字有表见指称的任何盖印。

99. Adoption of the Same Seal by Several Parties数方当事人采用相同盖印

Any number of parties to the same instrument may adopt one seal.同一文书的所有当事人都可以采用同一个盖印。

100. Recital of Sealing or Delivery盖印或交付的列述

A recital of the sealing or of the delivery of a written promise is not essential to its validity as a contract under seal and is not conclusive of the fact of sealing or delivery unless a statute makes a recital of sealing the equivalent of a seal.书面诺言中对盖印或交付的列述，对其作为盖印合同的效力并非必须，也不是已盖印或已交付的最终证明，除非制定法规定盖印列述等同于盖印。

101. Delivery交付

A written promise, sealed or unsealed, may be delivered by the promisor in escrow, conditionally to the promisee, or unconditionally.书面诺言，无论是否盖印，都可以由诺言人以第三方保管的方式有条件或者无条件地交付受诺人。

102. Unconditional Delivery无条件交付

A written promise is delivered unconditionally when the promisor puts it out of his possession and manifests an intention that it is to take effect at once according to its terms.诺言人使书面诺言脱离自己控制，并表明诺言条款马上生效的意图的，为无条件交付。

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