Angloamerikanische Rechtssprache –Arbeitsbuch
Anglo-American Legal Language –Study Aids
Heidinger | Hubalek
Angloamerikanische Rechtssprache – Arbeitsbuch
Anglo-American Legal Language – Study Aids
Angloamerikanische Rechtssprache –Arbeitsbuch
Anglo-American Legal Language –Study Aids
von Mag. iur. et Mag. phil. Franz J. Heidinger, LL.M. (Virginia)
Andrea Hubalek
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Bibliografische Information der Deutschen Bibliothek
Die Deutsche Bibliothek verzeichnet diese Publikation in der Deutschen Nationalbibliografie; detaillierte bibliografische Daten sind im Internet über http://dnb.ddb.de abrufbar.
ISBN 978-3-7007-6738-1
LexisNexis Verlag ARD Orac GmbH & Co KG, Wien http://www.lexisnexis.at
Wien 2016
Best.-Nr. 34.052.001
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Es wird darauf verwiesen, dass alle Angaben in diesem Werk trotz sorgfältiger Bearbeitung ohne Gewähr erfolgen und eine Haftung des Verlags, der Herausgeber und der Autoren ausgeschlossen ist.
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Foreword
For more than 25 years we have been developing law and language programs which introduce the Anglo-American Legal System and the specialized language used to describe it (Legal English) to international students and interested lawyers and linguists with a focus on the German speaking market. An applied comparative law approach has been adopted to provide international lawyers and linguists with the necessary basis for an understanding of the English as well as the American legal system, allowing them to communicate at an advanced level not only about English and American law but also about German and Austrian law using Legal English.
The courses offered at university level have been expanded to seven courses covering no less than 19 fields of law, always from a US, an English, a German and an Austrian perspective.
In order to allow students to become acquainted with the relevant field of law each and every one of these introductions is accompanied by a set of law and language exercises, allowing each student to check his/her understanding of substantive law as well as of the specialized language used to describe the said field. These exercises (study aids) have been compiled in this book to give each reader/student ample opportunity to work on the relevant study aid and thus deepen his/her understanding of the relevant law field as well as broaden his/her command of the specialized language used in that context. These study aids can be used for class work or for self-study; all exercises are also followed by a key section with suggested answers. Given the nature of the law as well as of the ESP in this context not all answers are deemed “correct” but instead they may be considered recommended or suggested answers, some are open for discussion, allowing for arguments in class or with instructors.
The Vienna Legal Proficiency Exam is based on the contents of the three books (with electives subject to the preference of the candidate); all study aids provide an excellent source for preparation of the said exam.
We would like to thank Prof. (FH) David Warren MA (cantab) MA (lond) for his valuable support in connection with the compilation of all study aids relating to volumes 2 and 3.
We wish you all an enjoyable time working on these study aids – and don’t cheat (by looking up the answers in the key section) – you would just be cheating yourself …..
Vienna/Berlin, September 2016
Franz J. Heidinger and Andrea Hubalek
Angloamerikanische Rechtssprache 3 | Anglo-American Legal Language 3
Part II – Answers
Part I Questions
Angloamerikanische Rechtssprache 1 | Anglo-American Legal Language 1
I.
Vertragsrecht – Contract Law
1.A. Contract Law in the United States
A. Comprehension
A.i) Answer the following questions:
1. What is the UCC and what is its function?
2. What is the difference between an assignment and a delegation?
3. What is the difference between ‘reliance’ and ‘restitution damages’?
4. What is repudiation?
5. Explain the doctrine of ‘mistake’:
6. What does the doctrine of parol evidence provide for?
7. What constitutes an offer?
8. Who lacks the capacity to contract?
9. Explain the concept of ‘unconscionability’:
10. What rights does an intended beneficiary have?
A.ii) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false:
1. The requirement of a condition cannot be excused if the obligor commits a breach that causes the nonoccurrence of the condition.
2. In determining ‘materiality’ the court will consider inter alia the extent to which the injured party will be deprived of the benefit it reasonably expected.
3. A claim for restitution of benefits will invariably arise due to the non-occurrence of a condition.
4. The concept of the excuse of ‘impracticability of performance’ has its roots in English law.
5. As a general rule, only full performance acts as a discharge and any failure to deliver is regarded as a breach of contract.
6. Most contract principles can be modified by the parties.
7. Under certain circumstances an acceptance can change the terms of an offer.
8. The ‘Statute of Frauds’ requires a signed writing for certain agreements to be enforceable.
9. Once a court orders specific performance, additional damages are not available, even if such remedy does not fully compensate the injured party.
10. A bargain is necessary for a contract to be enforceable.
B. Vocabulary – please translate
1. surety contract
2. on behalf of
3. misrepresentation
4. injunction
5. delegate (to)
6. evidence
7. CPA (certified public accountant)
8. deemed (e.g. effective) (to be)
9. distributor
10. dispute
C. Language
11. Treu und Glauben
12. Wegfall der Geschäftsgrundlage
13. Vertragsverletzung
14. Vorvertrag
15. Willenserklärung
16. Vertragsänderung
17. Antrag
18. Großjährigkeit
19. Zwang
20. Karenz
C.i) Make recognizable business and legal terms by matching the words in the two columns below (you might have to switch the order of some): law mental contract public marital repudiation specific enrichment intended equitable anticipatory beneficiary incompetency contract unjust surety relief agreement policy performance
C.ii) Word clusters – find as many words as possible that contain the following morpheme(s):
1. con-
2. obli-
C.iii) Translate the following passage:
This Contract may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which shall evidence the same agreement, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart.
1.B. Contract Law in the United Kingdom
A. Comprehension
A.i) Answer the following questions:
1. Explain a ‘bargain’:
2. Explain the significance of the ‘Lex Fori’ clauses:
3. What is a ‘fundamental mistake’?
4. What is the significance of Hadley v Baxendale, 1854?
5. What are ‘liquidated damages’?
6. What is Frustration?
7. Give one clear example from the chapter of the uniqueness of English contract law:
8. List some remedies for breach of contract apart from damages:
9. How would you define a contract in English law?
10. What is ‘Misrepresentation’ and what remedies are available?
A.ii) Indicate whether the following statements are true or false:
1. English law is judge made.
2. A contract must consist of both an agreement and a written record of that agreement.
3. Liability for breach of contract does not normally depend on personal fault or other surrounding circumstances.
4. If a weaker party agrees to undertake financial obligations for the benefit of an economically stronger party, the agreement may be set aside.
5. The contract has to put an obligation on the promisee to take reasonable care.
6. The contracting parties’ use of words ‘condition’ or ‘warranty’ will decide their respective legal character.
7. If the offeree expresses acceptance of the offer on different terms to the original, the original offer will remain valid.
8. Contracts depend on proof of an offer.
9. Normally, breach of contract actions should be brought within 120 months.
10. What the parties seemed to want is of utmost importance to the judge.
B. Vocabulary – please translate
1. Act of Parliament (UK)
2. unjust(ified) enrichment
3. alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
4. condition
5. contractual duty
6. guarantee
7. innocent party
8. intend (to)
9. performance
10. satisfaction
11. Ehevertrag
12. Anhang
13. Fomerfordernis
14. Nutzungsrecht
15. Lieferverzug
16. Gläubiger
17. unterfertigen
18. Stimmrechtsvollmacht
19. Sammelklage
20. rechtsverbindlich
C. Language
C.i) Find synonyms and where possible antonyms for the following words:
1. formal 2. clarity
3. remoteness
4. representation 5. innocent
6. resolution
7. fixed
8. to repudiate
9. penalty
10. rescission
C.ii) Choose the correct verb (and, if needed, preposition):
1. Many commercial contracts expressly produce/provide for/deal with/explain arbitration in the event of disputes between the parties.
2. A threat to break/separate/cut back on/throw out a contract, or other such unlawful act, might be regarded as economic duress (as distinct from hard bargaining).
3. Breach of contract actions must be set up/carried/brought up/brought within six years of the breach, or within three years if personal injury is involved.
4. Contracts with foreign buyers or sellers, or taking effect in other countries, usually specify/determine/explain/exemplify which country’s laws apply – the ‘Lex fori’ clauses.
5. The Company represents/assures you/claims and warrants/specifies/provides that there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending, or to the knowledge of the Company threatened, against or affecting the Company …
C.iii) Translate the following passage:
Die wichtigsten in der Wirtschaft relevanten Schuldverhältnisse beruhen auf Gegenseitigkeit (entgeltliche Schuldverhältnisse). Das heißt, die Vertragsparteien sind wechselseitig zu je einer Hauptleistung verpflichtet. Das ist u.a. der Fall beim Kauf-, Werk-, Dienst, Miet-, Lizenzvertrag usw.
Part II Answers
Angloamerikanische Rechtssprache 1 | Anglo-American Legal Language 1
I.
Vertragsrecht – Contract Law
I.A. Contract Law in the United States
A. Comprehension
A.i)
1. It generally regulates the sale of goods by merchants and is updated regularly to ensure the consistency of its interpretation and application across jurisdictions-it has been adopted (with minor modifications) in every US jurisdiction, Introduction
2. Assignment: a transfer of a contract right, which, however, is ineffective if it materially changes the duty of the other party, or increases the burdens or risks under the contract; Delegation: similarly a transfer of a contract right, however, under a delegation, the delegating party always remains liable under the contract until the subsequent performance by the delegate, 8.2/8.3
3. Reliance: seeks to put the party in as good a position as if the contract had not been made and generally includes expenditures incurred in performance of a contractual duty; Restitution (a non contractual or quasi contractual remedy) seeks to restore the benefit the injured party conferred on the breaching party, 9.2
4. Is a manifestation through either words or conduct that the party cannot or will not perform at least some of its obligations under the contract, 6.4
5. A party maintains an erroneous assumption or belief that is not in accord with the facts-adversely affected party must show that the mistake (a) goes to a basic assumption of the contract, (b) has a material effect on the agreed upon exchange (c) is not one of which that party bears the risk, 5.1
6. When the parties reduce their agreement to writing the parol evidence rule creates the presumption that the writing is the final expression of their agreement and any previous or extraneous communications during the negotiations process are not admissible as evidence. 7.1
7. An ‘offer’ is the manifestation of a willingness to enter into a bargain that causes the offeree to reasonably believe that his or her assent to the bargain will create an enforceable contract. 1.2
8. A minor (until s/he has reached the age of 18), someone who is mentally incompetent, (also in some jurisdictions) those who lack the ability to act ‘reasonably’ with respect to such understanding, 3.1
9. This allows a court to invalidate an agreement where one party utilizes an unfair bargaining position, economic or otherwise, to impute unreasonable terms upon the other party. 3.3
10. S/he has a direct claim against the promisor and need not join the promisee to effectuate such action. S/he also retains any right s/he has or originally had against the promisee and can seek judgment against both parties to the contract. 8.1
A.ii)
1. F, 6.2
2. T, 6.3
3. F, 9.3 (only if the non-occurrence would lead to an unjust enrichment and if there are no contractual remedies available)
4. T, 5.1
5. T, 6.
6. T, Introduction
7. F, 1.2
8. T, 4
9. F, 9.1 (Because remedies at law and in equity rules are not mutually exclusive)
10. T, 2 (requirement of consideration)
B. Vocabulary
1. Bürgschaftsvertrag
2. für, namens, auftrags von
3. Fehldarstellung*, unrichtige Angabe über eine Geschäftsgrundlage*
4. gerichtliche Verfügung/Anordnung
5. übertragen
6. Beweis
7. beeideter Buchprüfer, Wirtschaftsprüfer
8. angesehen werden (z.B. als rechtswirksam) (Fiktion)
9. Vertriebshändler, Vertragshändler
10. Streitigkeit
C. Language
C.i)
11. good faith*
12. frustration of contract*
13. breach of contract*
14. preliminary contract*
15. declaration of intent*
16. amendment to, modification of (a contract, an agreement)
17. application, motion
18. age of majority
19. duress
20. leave*
contract law, mental incompetency, surety contract, public policy, marital agreement, anticipatory repudiation, specific performance, unjust enrichment, intended beneficiary, equitable relief
C.ii)
1. contract, contract law, contractual, contractor, contracted, consideration, concurrence, conferment, convict, condominium, concord, convene, conflict, Congress, consensus, conciliate, reconcile, consummate, contraception, contravene, convict, contest etc.
2. obligor, obligation, obligator, obligatory, obligato (a variant spelling of obbligato – a musical line in classical music that is in some way indispensible to the performance) obligee, oblique, obliquely, obliqueness, oblige, obliging, obligingly, obliteration, obliterate, oblivious, obliviously etc.
C.iii)
Dieser Vertrag kann in zwei oder drei Ausfertigungen errichtet werden, von denen jede als Original angesehen wird und allesamt dieselbe Vereinbarung belegen; und es ist nicht notwendig zum Beweis dieser Vereinbarung mehr als eine solche Ausfertigung vorzulegen.
Heidinger/Hubalek, Angloamerikanische Rechtssprache, Q & A, LexisNexis
I.B. Contract Law in the United Kingdom
A. Comprehension
A.i)
1. One party’s offer or promise cannot be accepted and enforced by the other party unless s/he has ‘bought’ it. This essential element, or reciprocity, the quid pro quo is a valuable consideration, 1.4
2. These clauses specify, in the cases of contracts with foreign buyers or sellers, or taking effect in other countries, which country’s laws apply, 1.8
3. At a common law, a fundamental mistake makes the contract void, – of no effect. A mistake is only fundamental if it concerns the actual subject matter of the contract: Did the mistaken party essentially get what s/he wanted? If yes, the contract is still valid. 2.1
4. The rule developed in the case of Hadley v Baxendale relates to determining damages and specifically the ‘remoteness’ of loss or damage. Liability is imposed for losses ‘such as may fairly and reasonably be expected to arise naturally, that is, according to the usual course of things, from such a breach of contract, or such as may be reasonably be supposed to have been in the contemplation of both parties, at the time they made the contract, as the probable result of it’. 5
5. They are those sums of money specified in the contract as payable in the event of breach. If the contract is broken, the specified sum will be awarded, but only if it is a genuine pre-estimate of loss, whatever the actual loss, and without the need to prove any loss at all. But if the sum is held to be a penalty, a punishment, the contract provision is void, and the client must prove his losses. 7
6. This is when circumstances change so much, without the fault of either party, that it becomes impossible or impracticable to perform the contract as originally intended. cf. Case law and the Law Reform Act 1943, 2.3
7. It has no general requirement of good faith in contractual dealings (only in close relationships such as partnerships, insurance contracts and employment), 1.6
8. Injunction, quantum meruit (‘as much as it is worth), rescission and restitution, a right of lien, rectification, 8
9. An agreement intended to have legal consequences and imposing obligations on both parties, Introduction
10. A misrepresentation is a breach of representation. Representation in turn is a statement of fact, which encourages another person to enter into a contract with the representor. It may be fraudulent, negligent or innocent leading to varying remedies, ranging from the rescission of a contract to damages or compensation. (Misrepresentation Act 1967), 2.2
A.ii)
1. F, Introduction
2. F, Introduction, 1.5
3. T, 4
4. T, 2.4
5. F, 6
6. F, 1.6
7. F, 1.3
8. T, 1.3
9. F, 9
10. T, 1.1
B. Vocabulary
1. (vom Parlament beschlossenes) Gesetz
2. ungerechtfertigte Bereicherung
3. alternative Streitbeilegung
4. Bedingung
5. vertragliche Pflicht
6. Garantie*
7. unschuldige Partei
8. beabsichtigen
9. Erfüllung, Leistung
10. Befriedigung, Erfüllung, Zufriedenheit
C. Language
C.i)
Synonym
11. pre-marital/pre-nuptial contract/agreement
12. annex, attachment, exhibit
13. formal requirements
14. right to use
15. delay in delivery
16. creditor
17. to sign, to execute
18. proxy
19. class action
20. legally binding
Antonym
1. formal binding informal
2. clarity plainness/lucidity unintelligibility/ambiguity/obscurity
3. remoteness distance proximity, nearness, closeness
4. representation statement of fact misrepresentation
5. innocent non-breaching, compliant breaching, non-compliant, blamable, guilty
6. resolution settlement disagreement/misunderstanding
7. fixed defined, set undefined, open, flexible
8. to repudiate revoke/break with/breach hono(u)r/fulfill/perform under
9. penalty fine/punishment (reward, bonus)
10. rescission annulment/cancellation fulfillment/performance
C.ii)
1. Many commercial contracts expressly provide for arbitration in the event of disputes between the parties.
2. A threat to break a contract, or other such unlawful act, might be regarded as economic duress (as distinct from hard bargaining).
3. Breach of contract actions must be brought within six years of the breach, or within three years if personal injury is involved.
4. Contracts with foreign buyers or sellers, or taking effect in other countries, usually specify which country’s laws apply – the ‘Lex fori’ clauses.
5. The Company represents and warrants that there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending, or to the knowledge of the Company threatened, against or affecting the Company …
C.iii)
The most important obligations and the ones most relevant for business are based on mutuality/ reciprocity (obligations against pecuniary consideration). This means that the contracting parties have a reciprocal obligation to fulfil a main obligation. This applies for example to purchase agreements, contracts for work and services, for employment, rental and licensing agreements, etc.
Dieses Arbeitsbuch ergänzt die Bände 1–3 der Angloamerikanischen Rechtssprache und unterstützt alle Anwender und Studenten beim Erlernen der in den drei Bänden behandelten 19 Rechtsgebiete in den vier Rechtsordnungen (USA, UK/England, Deutschland und Österreich). In 76 Arbeitseinheiten/Studienbehelfen (Study Aids) werden alle Kapitel der Bücher sowohl aus rechtlicher wie auch aus fachsprachlicher Sicht erarbeitet. Zu jedem Studienbehelf gibt es auch einen Auflösungsteil mit empfohlenen Antworten. Ob als Begleitung zum universitären Unterricht oder zum Selbststudium, dieses Buch vermittelt und vertieft das Fachwissen in den Rechtsgebieten und der zugrunde liegenden angloamerikanischen Rechtssprache.
Die Übungen sind auch hervorragende Grundlage zur Vorbereitung auf die Ablegung des Vienna Legal Language Proficiency Exam zur Erlangung des Vienna Legal Language Proficiency Certificate ( Vienna LLP). Sie können als Teil der universitären Ausbildung, als Grundlage von außeruniversitären Kursprogrammen und auch zum Selbststudium verwendet werden.
Zielgruppe sind Rechtsanwälte, Notare, Wirtschaftsjuristen, Wirtschaftstreuhänder, Übersetzer und Dolmetscher, Mitarbeiter internationaler Organisationen und Unternehmen sowie Studierende aus den Bereichen Recht, Wirtschaft, Linguistik und Translationswissenschaften.
Mag. iur. et Mag. phil. Franz J. Heidinger, LL.M. (Virginia) ist ausgebildeter Jurist und Anglist/Amerikanist und verfügt über mehr als 25 Jahre Erfahrung im internationalen Wirtschaftsrecht. Er ist als Wirtschaftsanwalt und Senior Partner der Alix Frank Rechtsanwälte GmbH in Wien tätig. Darüber hinaus ist er als Lektor für den Bereich angloamerikanische Rechtssprache an der Juridischen Fakultät der Universität Wien verantwortlich. Er ist allgemein beeideter und zertifizierter Gerichtsdolmetscher für Englisch.
Andrea Hubalek ist staatlich geprüfte Übersetzerin (München) und allgemein beeidete und zertifizierte Gerichtsdolmetscherin für Englisch. Sie verfügt über reiche Praxiserfahrung auf dem Gebiet der Fachsprachübersetzung für juristische Texte und ist seit 20 Jahren geschäftsführende Gesellschafterin der von ihr gemeinsam mit Franz J. Heidinger gegründeten Translex Büro für juristische Fachübersetzungen GmbH in Wien.
ISBN 978-3-7007-6738-1
