商法精品教学（广东外语外贸）Lecture 4 Breach of the Contract and Remedy.pptVIP

Lecture 4 Remedies for Breach of the Contract I. Breach of the Contract When a person’s performance is due, any failure to perform that is not excused is a breach of contract. 1. Non-performance 2. Late performance 3. Partial performance 4. Defective performance 5. Anticipatory Breach and Actual Breach 6. Fundamental breach Anticipatory breach of contract occurs when the promisor indicates before the time for his performance that he is unwilling or unable to carry out the contract. 案例： 恒通商场与瑞达电器集团于某年11月份订立了一份空调买卖合同，约定由瑞达电器集团于第二年的5月底交付空调500台给恒通商场，每台价4000元，恒通商场向瑞达电器集团交付30万元定金。第二年3月，气象部门纷纷预测今年将持续高温，瑞达电器集团的空调被订购一空，且订价达4500元每台。3月底，瑞达电器集团给恒通商场发了份函，声称无法履约，要求取消合同。商场为了防止瑞达电器集团向他人交付货物，于4月2日将瑞达电器集团诉至法院，要求其实际履行合同，如不实际履行，则应双倍返还定金，赔偿其利润损失，以及支付违约金。瑞达电器集团辩称，合同未到履行期，拒绝承担违约责任。 II. Excuses for Nonperformance Although nonperformance of a contract will ordinarily constitute a breach of contract, there are some situations in which nonperformance is excused. The legal excuse: Force Majeure The contractual excuse: Force Majeure Clause The Legal Excuse: Force Majeure It usually applies to situations such as natural disasters (e.g. Act of God, flood, earthquake), war, embargoes etc that prevent one or both parties from performing the contract. Because neither party is really at fault, the breaching party is excused from paying damages. Under Contract Law of China: 第一百一十七条　因不可抗力不能履行合同的，根据不可抗力的影响，部分或者全部免除责任，但法律另有规定的除外。当事人迟延履行后发生不可抗力的，不能免除责任。本法所称不可抗力，是指不能预见、不能避免并不能克服的客观情况。第一百一十八条　当事人一方因不可抗力不能履行合同的，应当及时通知对方，以减轻可能给对方造成的损失，并应当在合理期限内提供证明。 Four legal requirements for using the nonperformance excuse of force majeure: The event is unavoidable The event is unforeseenable The event is insurmountable (can not be overcome) Notice was given to the other party For the most part, strikes, shortages, inflation, and even dramatic fluctuations in market prices are to be anticipated by parties to a contract. Under CISG (Article 79): A party is not liable for a fa