中华人民共和国合同法 附最高人民法院关于适用《中华人民共和国合同法》司法解释中华人民共和国合同法 (1999年3月15日自1999年10月1日起施行） 总 则 第一章 一 般 规 定 第一条 为了保护合同当事人的合法权益，维护社会经济秩序，促进社会主义现代化建设，制定本法。 第二条 本法所称合同是平等主体的自然人、法人、其他组织之间设立、变更、终止民事权利义务关系的协议。 婚姻、收养、监护等有关身份关系的协议，适用其他法律的规定。 第三条 合同当事人的法律地位平等，一方不得将自己的意志强加给另一方。 第四条 当事人依法享有自愿订立合同的权利，任何单位和个人不得非法干预。 第五条 当事人应当遵循公平原则确定各方的权利和义务。 第六条 当事人行使权利、履行义务应当遵循诚实信用原则。CONTRACT LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINACONTRACT LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA General ProvisionsChapter 1 General RulesArticle 1 The aim of this Law is to protect the legal rights and interests of contracting parties, maintain social and economic order, and promote socialist modernization. Article 2 In this Law, a contract is an agreement creating, altering or terminating a relationship of civil rights and obligations between natural persons, legal persons or other organizations as parties of equal standing. Agreements concerning personal relationships such as marriage, adoption and guardianship are governed by other laws. Article 3 The parties to a contract have equal legal standing and must not impose their will on the other. Article 4 The parties have a legal right to make a contract in accordance with their free will and no other person or organization may unlawfully interfere. Article 5 The parties must abide by the principle of fairness in defining their rights and obligations. Article 6 The parties must abide by the principle of good faith in exercising their rights and performing their obligations. 第七条 当事人订立、履行合同，应当遵守法律、行政法规，尊重社会公德，不得扰乱社会经济秩序，损害社会公共利益。 第八条 依法成立的合同，对当事人具有法律约束力。当事人应当按照约定履行自己的义务，不得擅自变更或者解除合同。 依法成立的合同，受法律保护。 第二章 合同的订立 第九条 当事人订立合同，应当具有相应的民事权利能力和民事行为能力。 当事人依法可以委托代理人订立合同。 第十条 当事人订立合同，有书面形式、口头形式和其他形式。 法律、行政法规规定采用书面形式的，应当采用书面形式。当事人约定采用书面形式的，应当采用书面形式。 第十一条 书面形式是指合同书、信件和数据电文（包括电报、电传、传真、电子数据交换和电子邮件）等可以有形地表现所载内容的形式。 第十二条 合同的内容由当事人约定，一般包括以下条款: （一） 当事人的名称或者姓名和住所； （二） 标的； （三） 数量；Article 7 In making and performing their contract, the parties must follow laws and regulationsSee Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 1, Article 10. and observe public morality, and must not disturb the social and economic order or harm the public interest. Article 8 A contract made in accordance with the law is legally binding on the parties. A contract must be performed as agreed. Neither party may unilaterally alter or terminate it. A contract made in accordance with the law is protected by the law. Chapter 2 FormationArticle 9 To make a contract the parties must have the necessary civil capacity. A party may make a contract through an agent appointed in accordance with the law. Article 10 The parties may make a contract in written, oral or another form.See Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 2, Article 2; Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 3, Article 1 A contract must be in written form if laws or regulations require it or the parties so agree. Article 11 ‘Written form’ means any readable record, contract document, letter or electronic text, including telegram, telex, facsimile, electronic data exchange, e-mail etc. Article 12 The content of a contract is agreed between the parties. In general it includes terms on-  names and addresses of the parties  subject matter  quantity （四） 质量； （五） 价款或者报酬； （六） 履行期限、地点和方式； （七） 违约责任； （八） 解决争议的方法。 当事人可以参照各类合同的示范文本订立合同。 第十三条 当事人订立合同，采取要约、承诺方式。 第十四条 要约是希望和他人订立合同的意思表示，该意思表示应当符合下列规定: （一） 内容具体确定； （二） 表明经受要约人承诺，要约人即受该意思表示约束。 第十五条 要约邀请是希望他人向自己发出要约的意思表示。寄送的价目表、拍卖公告、招标公告、招股说明书、商业广告等为要约邀请。 商业广告的内容符合要约规定的，视为要约。 第十六条 要约到达受要约人时生效。 采用数据电文形式订立合同，收件人指定特定系统接收数据电文的，该数据电文进入该特定系统的时间，视为到达时间；未指定特定系统的，该数据电文进入收件人的任何系统的首次时间，视为到达时间。 第十七条 要约可以撤回。撤回要约的通知应当在要约到达受要约人之前或者与要约同时到达受要约人。 第十八条 要约可以撤销。撤销要约的通知应当在受要约人发出承诺通知之前到达受要约人。  quality  price or payment  duration, place and manner of performance  liability for breach of contract  dispute resolution. The parties may incorporate the content of model contracts. Article 13 A contract is made by offer and acceptance. Article 14 An offer is a manifestation that the offeror is willing to make a contract with another. An offer must- 1. clearly define the content of the contractSee Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 2, Article 1.. 2. indicate that the offeror intends to be bound on acceptance by the offeree. Article 15 An invitation to offer is a manifestation of desire for an offer from the other party. Mailed or delivered price catalogs, auction announcements, invitations to bid, prospectuses, commercial advertisements etc are invitations to offer. However, commercial advertisements are treated as offers if they meet the requirements of an offer. Article 16 An offer becomes effective when it reaches the offeree. An offer in electronic form reaches the offeree when it enters the particular system designated by the offeree for receiving offers. If no system was designated it reaches the offeree when it enters any of the offeree's systems. Article 17 An offer may be withdrawn. Notice of withdrawal must reach the offeree before or when the offer reaches the offeree. Article 18 An offer may be revoked. Notice of revocation must reach the offeree before the offeree dispatches a notice of acceptance. 第十九条 有下列情形之一的，要约不得撤销: （一） 要约人确定了承诺期限或者以其他形式明示要约不可撤销； （二） 受要约人有理由认为要约是不可撤销的，并已经为履行合同作了准备工作。 第二十条 有下列情形之一的，要约失效: （一） 拒绝要约的通知到达要约人； （二） 要约人依法撤销要约； （三） 承诺期限届满，受要约人未作出承诺； （四） 受要约人对要约的内容作出实质性变更。 第二十一条 承诺是受要约人同意要约的意思表示。 第二十二条 承诺应当以通知的方式作出，但根据交易习惯或者要约表明可以通过行为作出承诺的除外。 第二十三条 承诺应当在要约确定的期限内到达要约人。 要约没有确定承诺期限的，承诺应当依照下列规定到达: （一） 要约以对话方式作出的，应当即时作出承诺，但当事人另有约定的除外； （二） 要约以非对话方式作出的，承诺应当在合理期限内到达。 第二十四条 要约以信件或者电报作出的，承诺期限自信件载明的日期或者电报交发之日开始计算。信件未载明日期的，自投寄该信件的邮戳日期开始计算。要约以电话、传真等快速通讯方式作出的，承诺期限自要约到达受要约人时开始计算。Article 19 An offer cannot be revoked in either of the following circumstances: 1. The offeror stated a time for acceptance or in any way clearly indicated that the offer was irrevocable. 2. The offeree reasonably believed that the offer was irrevocable and made preparations for performing the contract. Article 20 An offer ceases to be effective in any of the following circumstances: 1. Notice of rejection reaches the offeror. 2. The offeror lawfully revokes the offer. 3. The time stated for acceptance expires before the offeree accepts. 4. The offeree accepts on terms that are materially different from the offer. Article 21See Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 2, Article 3. An acceptance is a manifestation of the offeree's assent to the offer. Article 22 An acceptance requires notice to the offeror, unless transactional practiceSee Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 2, Article 7. or the terms of the offer indicate that it may be accepted by performing an act.See Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 2, Article 3. Article 23 An acceptance must reach the offeror within the time stated by the offer. If no time is stated, the acceptance must reach the offeror- 1. if the offer is made orally, immediately unless otherwise agreed. 2. if the offer is not made orally, within a reasonable time. Article 24 If an offer is made by letter, the time for acceptance runs from the date shown on the letter, or from the date of the postmark if no date is shown. If an offer is made by telegram, the time for acceptance runs from the date on which the message was handed in for dispatch. 第二十五条 承诺生效时合同成立。 第二十六条 承诺通知到达要约人时生效。承诺不需要通知的，根据交易习惯或者要约的要求作出承诺的行为时生效。 采用数据电文形式订立合同的，承诺到达的时间适用本法第十六条第二款的规定。 第二十七条 承诺可以撤回。撤回承诺的通知应当在承诺通知到达要约人之前或者与承诺通知同时到达要约人。 第二十八条 受要约人超过承诺期限发出承诺的，除要约人及时通知受要约人该承诺有效的以外，为新要约。 第二十九条 受要约人在承诺期限内发出承诺，按照通常情形能够及时到达要约人，但因其他原因承诺到达要约人时超过承诺期限的，除要约人及时通知受要约人因承诺超过期限不接受该承诺的以外，该承诺有效。 第三十条 承诺的内容应当与要约的内容一致。受要约人对要约的内容作出实质性变更的，为新要约。有关合同标的、数量、质量、价款或者报酬、履行期限、履行地点和方式、违约责任和解决争议方法等的变更，是对要约内容的实质性变更。 第三十一条 承诺对要约的内容作出非实质性变更的，除要约人及时表示反对或者要约表明承诺不得对要约的内容作出任何变更的以外，该承诺有效，合同的内容以承诺的内容为准。 If an offer is made by an instantaneous communication, such as telephone or facsimile, the time for acceptance runs from the moment the offer reaches the offeree. Article 25 A contract is made when the acceptance becomes effective. Article 26 A notice of acceptance becomes effective when it reaches the offeror. If notice is not required, an acceptance becomes effective when an act of acceptance is performed in accordance with the terms of the offer or transactional practice.See Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 2, Article 7. Article 16 2 applies to an acceptance in electronic form. Article 27 An acceptance may be withdrawn. Notice of withdrawal must reach the offeror before or when the acceptance reaches the offeror. Article 28 An acceptance after the time stated for acceptance is a new offer, unless the offeror promptly notifies the offeree that the acceptance is effective. Article 29 An acceptance that reaches the offeror after the stated time for reasons beyond the control of the offeree is effective if it would normally have reached the offeror within that time, unless the offeror promptly notifies the offeree that it is out of time. Article 30 The terms of an acceptance must not differ from the terms of the offer. If the acceptance is on terms that are materially different from the offer, it is a new offer. Alterations to subject matter, quality, quantity, price or remuneration, time, place or manner of performance, liability for breach or dispute resolution are material differences. Article 31 An acceptance that is not materially different from the terms of the offer is effective. The terms of the acceptance are the terms of the contract, unless the offeror 第三十二条 当事人采用合同书形式订立合同的，自双方当事人签字或者盖章时合同成立。 第三十三条 当事人采用信件、数据电文等形式订立合同的，可以在合同成立之前要求签订确认书。签订确认书时合同成立。 第三十四条 承诺生效的地点为合同成立的地点。 采用数据电文形式订立合同的，收件人的主营业地为合同成立的地点；没有主营业地的，其经常居住地为合同成立的地点。当事人另有约定的，按照其约定。 第三十五条 当事人采用合同书形式订立合同的，双方当事人签字或者盖章的地点为合同成立的地点。 第三十六条 法律、行政法规规定或者当事人约定采用书面形式订立合同，当事人未采用书面形式但一方已经履行主要义务，对方接受的，该合同成立。 第三十七条 采用合同书形式订立合同，在签字或者盖章之前，当事人一方已经履行主要义务，对方接受的，该合同成立。 第三十八条 国家根据需要下达指令性任务或者国家订货任务的，有关法人、其他组织之间应当依照有关法律、行政法规规定的权利和义务订立合同。 promptly objects or the offer states that no alterations are permitted. Article 32 If the parties make a contract in the form of a document, the contract is made when both parties sign or seal the document. Article 33 If parties using letters, electronic messages or similar means require the other to sign a confirmation before the contract is made, the contract is made when the confirmation is signed. Article 34See Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 2, Article 4. A contract is made at the place where the acceptance becomes effective. A contract made by an acceptance in electronic form is made at the recipient's main place of business. If the recipient has no main place of business, the contract is made at the recipient's habitual residence. If the parties agree otherwise, their agreement governs. Article 35See Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 2, Articles 4, 5. If the parties make a contract in the form of a document, the contract is made where both parties sign or seal it. Article 36 If the parties do not make a contract in written form when this is required by law or regulations or by their agreement, a contract is nevertheless made when one party performs a main obligation and the other party accepts the performance. Article 37 If the parties make a contract in the form of a document that is not signed or sealed, a contract is nevertheless made when one party performs a main obligation and the other party accepts the performance. Article 38 If the state issues mandatory directions or purchase orders to meet its needs, the legal persons or other organizations involved must make contracts between them in accordance with the rights and obligations prescribed by relevant laws and regulations. 第三十九条 采用格式条款订立合同的，提供格式条款的一方应当遵循公平原则确定当事人之间的权利和义务，并采取合理的方式提请对方注意免除或者限制其责任的条款，按照对方的要求，对该条款予以说明。 格式条款是当事人为了重复使用而预先拟定，并在订立合同时未与对方协商的条款。 第四十条 格式条款具有本法第五十二条和第五十三条规定情形的，或者提供格式条款一方免除其责任、加重对方责任、排除对方主要权利的，该条款无效。 第四十一条 对格式条款的理解发生争议的，应当按照通常理解予以解释。对格式条款有两种以上解释的，应当作出不利于提供格式条款一方的解释。格式条款和非格式条款不一致的，应当采用非格式条款。 第四十二条 当事人在订立合同过程中有下列情形之一，给对方造成损失的，应当承担损害赔偿责任: （一） 假借订立合同，恶意进行磋商； （二） 故意隐瞒与订立合同有关的重要事实或者提供虚假情况； （三） 有其他违背诚实信用原则的行为。 第四十三条 当事人在订立合同过程中知悉的商业秘密，无论合同是否成立，不得泄露或者不正当地使用。泄露或者不正当地使用该商业秘密给对方造成损失的，应当承担损害赔偿责任。 Article 39See Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 2, Articles 6, 9, 10. If a contract is made on standard terms, the party supplying the terms must abide by the principle of fairness in defining the rights and obligations of the parties, take reasonable steps to bring to the other party's attention terms that exclude or limit liability, and explain them on request. ‘Standard terms’ are terms that are formulated by a party in advance for repeated use and not negotiated in making the contract. Article 40See Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 2, Article 10. Standard terms are ineffective if-  Article 52 or 53 applies  they exclude all liability of the party supplying them, or  they increase the liability of the other party or deprive that party of an important right. Article 41 If the meaning of a standard term is disputed, it must be interpreted in accordance with its common understanding. If a standard term bears more than one meaning, it must be interpreted unfavorably to the party supplying it. If a standard clause is inconsistent with a non-standard clause, the non-standard clause governs. Article 42 A party making a contract is liable to the other party for any loss caused by any of the following- 1. negotiating in bad faith by pretending to make a contract. 2. intentionally concealing material facts or providing false information. 3. acting in any other way contrary to the principle of good faith.See Supreme People's Court Interpretation of Contract Law 2, Article 8. Article 43 A party must not disclose or improperly exploit business secrets obtained in the course of making a contract, whether a contract was made or not. A party who discloses or improperly uses such secrets is liable to the other party for any loss caused.