CONTRACT LAW
OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (2)
Article 201 Remedies in Case of Failure
to Make Loan Amount Available Or Failure to Draw Down
Where the lender failed to make the loan amount available
on the prescribed date and in the prescribed amount,
thereby causing loss to the borrower, it shall pay damages.
Where the borrower failed to draw down on the prescribed
date and in the prescribed amount, it shall nevertheless
pay the interest on the prescribed date and in the prescribed
amount.
Article 202 Lender Entitled to Monitor
Use of Proceeds The lender may examine and monitor the
application of the proceeds in accordance with the contract.
The borrower shall periodically provide the lender with
materials such as related financial and accounting reports,
etc. in accordance with the contract.
Article 203 Lender's Remedies in Case
of Borrower's Misuse of Proceeds Where the borrower
fails to use the proceeds for the prescribed purpose,
the lender may withhold funding, call the loan, or terminate
the contract.
Article 204 Minimum and Maximum Interest
Rates The interest rate on the loan provided by a financial
institution engaged in lending operation shall be prescribed
between the minimum and maximum rates mandated by the
People's Bank of China.
Article 205 Time of Interest Payment
The borrower shall pay the interest at the prescribed
time. Where the time of interest payment was not prescribed
or clearly prescribed, and cannot be determined in accordance
with Article 61 hereof, if the loan term is less than
one year, the interest shall be paid together with the
principal at the time of repayment; if the loan term
is one year or longer, the interest shall be paid at
the end of each annual period, and where the remaining
period is less than one year, the interest shall be
paid together with the principal at the time of repayment.
Article 206 Time of Principal Repayment
The borrower shall repay the principal at the prescribed
time. Where the time of repayment was not prescribed
or clearly prescribed, and cannot be determined in accordance
with Article 61 hereof, the borrower may repay at any
time; and the lender may demand repayment from the borrower
within a reasonable time.
Article 207 Delayed Repayment Interest
Where the borrower failed to repay the loan at the prescribed
time, it shall pay delayed repayment interest in accordance
with the contract or the relevant stipulations of the
state.
Article 208 Calculation of Interest
in Case of Prepayment Where the borrower prepays the
loan, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the interest
shall be calculated based on the actual period of loan.
Article 209 Extension of Loan Term The
borrower may apply to the lender for extension of the
loan term before its maturity. Upon consent by the lender,
the loan term may be extended.
Article 210 Time of Effectiveness of
Loan Contract between Natural Persons A contract for
loan of money between natural persons becomes effective
at the time the lender makes the loan amount available.
Article 211 Interest under Loan Contract
between Natural Persons Under a contract for loan of
money between natural persons, if payment of interest
was not prescribed or clearly prescribed, the loan is
deemed interest free. Under a contract for loan of money
between natural persons, the interest rate on the loan
may not contravene the relevant stipulations of the
state regarding limit on loan interest rate.
Chapter Thirteen Leasing Contracts
Article 212 Definition of Leasing Contract
A leasing contract is a contract whereby the lessor
delivers to the lessee the lease item for it to use
or accrue benefit from, and the lessee pays the rent.
Article 213 Terms of Leasing Contract
A leasing contract includes terms such as the name,
quantity and purpose of the lease item, lease term,
amount of rent, time and method of rent payment, as
well as maintenance and repair of the lease item, etc.
Article 214 Limit on Lease Term; Renewal
The lease term may not exceed twenty years. If the lease
term exceeds twenty years, the portion of the lease
term beyond the initial twenty year period is invalid.
At the end of the lease term, the parties may renew
the lease, provided that the renewed term may not exceed
twenty years commencing on the date of renewal.
Article 215 Writing Requirement in Case
Lease Term Is Six Months or Longer Where the lease term
is six months or longer, the lease shall be in writing.
If the parties fail to adopt a writing, the lease is
deemed a non-term lease.
Article 216 Lessor's Obligation to Deliver
Lease Item The lessor shall deliver the lease item to
the lessee in accordance with the contract and shall,
during the lease term, keep the lease item fit for the
prescribed purpose.
Article 217 Manner of Using Lease Item
The lessee shall use the lease item in the prescribed
manner. Where the manner of use of the lease item was
not prescribed or clearly prescribed, and cannot be
determined in accordance with Article 61 hereof, the
lease item shall be used in a manner consistent with
its nature.
Article 218 Lessee Not Liable for Wear
and Tear Where the lessee used the lease item in the
prescribed manner or in a manner consistent with its
nature, thereby causing wear and tear to the lease item,
it is not liable for damages.
Article 219 Lessor Entitled to Terminate
in Case of Unauthorized Use Where the lessee failed
to use the lease item in the prescribed manner or in
a manner consistent with its nature, thereby causing
damage to it, the lessor may terminate the contract
and claim damages.
Article 220 Lessor's Maintenance Obligations
The lessor shall perform the obligations of maintenance
and repair of the lease item, except otherwise agreed
by the parties.
Article 221 Lessee's Remedies in Case
of Lessor's Failure to Maintain Lease Item Where the
lease item needs maintenance or repair, the lessee may
require the lessor to perform maintenance or repair
within a reasonable time. If the lessor fails to fulfill
its obligations of maintenance or repair, the lessee
may maintain or repair the lease item on its own at
the lessor's expense. Where the lessee's use of the
lease item is impaired due to maintenance or repair
thereof, the rent shall be reduced or the lease term
shall be extended accordingly.
Article 222 Lessee's Obligation of Due
Care The lessee shall keep the lease item with due care
and shall be liable for damages if the lease item was
damaged or lost due to improper care.
Article 223 Improvement or Addition
Subject to consent by the lessor, the lessee may make
improvement on or addition to the lease item. If the
lessee made improvement on or addition to the lease
item without consent by the lessor, the lessor may require
the lessee to restore the lease item to its original
condition or claim damages.
Article 224 Sublease Subject to consent
by the lessor, the lessee may sublease the lease item
to a third person. Where the lessee subleases the lease
item, the leasing contract between the lessee and the
lessor remains valid, and if the third person causes
damage to the lease item, the lessee shall pay damages.
Where the lessee subleases the lease item without the
consent of the lessor, the lessor may terminate the
contract.
Article 225 Benefit Accrued from Lease
Item During Lease Term During the lease term, any benefit
accrued from the possession or use of the lease item
belongs to the lessee, except otherwise agreed by the
parties.
Article 226 Time for Rent Payment The
lessee shall pay the rent at the prescribed time. Where
the time of payment was not prescribed or clearly prescribed,
and cannot be determined in accordance with Article
61 hereof, the rent shall be paid at the end of the
lease term if it is less than one year; if the lease
term is one year or longer, the rent shall be paid at
the end of each annual period, and where the remaining
period is less than one year, the rent shall be paid
at the end of the lease term.
Article 227 Lessor's Remedies in Case
of Non-Payment of Rent Where the lessee failed to pay
or delayed in paying the rent without cause, the lessor
may require the lessee to pay the rent within a reasonable
period. If the lessee fails to pay the rent at the end
of such period, the lessor may terminate the contract.
Article 228 Lessee's Remedies in Case
of Third Party Claim; Duty to Notify If due to any claim
by a third person, the lessee is unable to use or accrue
benefit from the lease item, the lessee may require
reduction in rent or refuse to pay rent. In case of
any claim by a third person, the lessee shall timely
notify the lessor.
Article 229 Leasing Contract Not Affected
by Change of Ownership Any change of ownership to the
lease item does not affect the validity of the leasing
contract.
Article 230 Sale of Dwelling Unit under
Lease Where the lessor is to sell a dwelling unit under
a lease, it shall give the lessee a reasonable advance
notice before the sale, and the lessee has the right
of first refusal under the same conditions.
Article 231 Lessee's Remedies in Case
of Damage Not Attributable to Itself Where the lease
item was damaged or lost in part or in whole due to
any reason not attributable to the lessee, the lessee
may require reduction in rent or refuse to pay rent;
where the purpose of the contract is frustrated due
to damage to or loss of the lease item in part or in
whole, the lessee may terminate the contract.
Article 232 Non-Term Lease Where the
term of a lease was not prescribed or clearly prescribed,
and cannot be determined in accordance with Article
61 hereof, such lease is deemed a non-term lease. Either
party may terminate the contract at any time, provided
that the lessor shall give the lessee a reasonable advance
notice before it terminates the contract.
Article 233 Lessee Entitled to Terminate
in Case of Danger to Safety or Health Where the lease
item poses a danger to the safety or health of the lessee,
the lessee may terminate the contract at any time even
if the lessee was aware of the quality non-compliance
of the lease item at the time of conclusion of the contract.
Article 234 Lease of Dwelling Unit Assumable
Where the lessee is deceased during the term of a dwelling
unit lease, the person jointly living in the unit with
the lessee while the lessee was alive may continue leasing
it on the terms of the original leasing contract.
Article 235 Condition of Lease Item
at End of Lease Term The lessee shall return the lease
item at the end of the lease term. The returned lease
item shall be in a condition resulting from its use
in the prescribed manner or in a manner consistent with
its nature.
Article 236 Effect of Continued Use
Beyond Lease Term Upon expiration of the lease term,
if the lessee continues to use the lease item without
objection by the lessor, the original leasing contract
remains effective, provided that it becomes a non-term
lease.
Chapter Fourteen Financial Leasing Contracts
Article 237 Definition of Financial
Leasing Contract A financial leasing contract is a contract
whereby the lessor, upon purchase of the lessee-selected
lease item from a lessee-selected seller, provides the
lease item to the lessee for its use, and the lessee
pays the rent.
Article 238 Terms of Financial Leasing
Contract; Writing Requirement A financial leasing contract
includes terms such as the name, quantity, specifications,
technical performance, and method of inspection of the
lease item, the lease term, the rental components and
the time, method and currency of payment, as well as
the ownership of the lease item at the end of the lease
term, etc. A financial leasing contract shall be in
writing.
Article 239 Lessee's Assumption of Buyer's
Rights Under the sales contract concluded by the lessor
according to the lessee's selection of the seller and
the lease item, the seller shall deliver the subject
matter to the lessee in accordance with the contract,
and the lessee enjoys the rights of the buyer in respect
of taking delivery of the subject matter.
Article 240 Lessee's Assumption of Buyer's
Remedies in Case of Seller's Non-performance The lessor,
the seller and the lessee may agree that any claim arising
from the seller's non-performance of its obligations
under the sales contract will be made by the lessee.
Where the lessee makes such a claim, the lessor shall
provide assistance.
Article 241 Certain Amendment of Sales
Contract Subject to Consent by Lessee Absent consent
by the lessee, the lessor may not amend any lessee-related
term in the sales contract concluded by it according
to the lessee's selection of the seller and the lease
item.
Article 242 Exclusion of Lease Item
from Bankruptcy Assets of Lessee Title to the lease
item vests in the lessor. In case the lessee enters
into bankruptcy, the lease item is not part of its bankruptcy
assets.
Article 243 Determination of Rental
Components Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the
rent under a financial leasing contract shall be determined
based on the major portion of or full costs of purchasing
the lease item and the lessor's reasonable profit.
Article 244 Lessor Not Liable for Non-fitness
of Lease Item; Exceptions Where the lease item does
not comply with the contract or is not fit for the intended
purpose, the lessor is not liable, except where the
lessee relied on the skills of the lessor in selecting
the lease item or the lessor interfered in the selection
thereof.
Article 245 Warranty by Lessor The lessor
shall give warranty in respect of the lessee's possession
and use of the lease item.
Article 246 Lessor Not Liable for Damage
or Injury If while in the possession of the lessee,
the lease item caused personal injury or property damage
to any third person, the lessor is not liable.
Article 247 Lessee's Obligation of Due
Care; Maintenance Obligations The lessee shall keep
and use the lease item with due care. While in possession
of the lease item, the lessee shall perform the obligations
of maintenance and repair thereof.
Article 248 Lessor' s Remedies in Case
of Non-payment by Lessee The lessee shall pay the rent
in accordance with the contract. Where the lessee fails
to pay the rent within a reasonable period after receiving
demand for payment from the lessor, the lessor may require
payment of the full rent; or it may terminate the contract
and repossess the lease item.
Article 249 Partial Refund in Case of
Termination by Lessor Where the parties agreed that
title to the lease item will vest in the lessee at the
end of the lease term, and after paying a major portion
of the rent, the lessee is unable to pay the remaining
balance, resulting in the lessor's termination of the
contract and repossession of the lease item, if the
value of the repossessed lease item exceeds the rent
owed by the lessee and other expenses, the lessee may
require partial refund.
Article 250 Ownership of Lease Item
at End of Lease Term The lessor and the lessee may agree
on the ownership of the lease item at the end of the
lease term. Where ownership of the lease item was not
prescribed or clearly prescribed, and cannot be determined
in accordance with Article 61 hereof, title to the lease
item shall vest in the lessor.
Chapter Fifteen Contracts of Hired Works
Article 251 Definition of Contract of
Hired Work A contract of hired work is a contract whereby
the hiree completes certain work as required by the
hirer and delivers the work product, and the hirer pays
the remuneration. Hired works include works such as
processing, custom-made work, repair, reproduction,
testing, and inspection, etc.
Article 252 Terms of Contract of Hired
Work A contract of hired work includes terms such as
the subject matter of hire, quantity, quality, remuneration,
method of hire, supply of materials, time of performance,
standard applicable to and method of acceptance inspection,
etc.
Article 253 Use of Hiree's Own Resources;
Delegation of Main Task Subject to Consent The hiree
shall use its own equipment, skills and labor to complete
the main tasks, except otherwise agreed by the parties.
Where the hiree has delegated a main task of the hired
work to a third person for completion, it shall be responsible
to the hirer for the work product completed thereby;
if the delegation was not approved by the hirer, the
hirer may also terminate the contract.
Article 254 Delegation of Ancillary
Task by Hiree The hiree may delegate any ancillary task
of the hired work to a third person for completion.
Where the hiree delegated any ancillary task of the
hired work to a third person for completion, it shall
be responsible to the hirer for the work product completed
thereby.
Article 255 Materials Supplied by Hiree
Subject to Inspection Where the hiree is to supply the
materials, it shall select the materials in accordance
with the contract and shall make such materials available
for inspection by the hirer.
Article 256 Hiree's Timely Inspection
of Materials Supplied by Hirer Where the hirer is to
supply the materials, it shall supply the materials
in accordance with the contract. The hiree shall timely
inspect the materials supplied by the hirer, and where
non-compliance is discovered, it shall timely instruct
the hirer to replace or supplement the materials or
otherwise cure the non-compliance. The hiree may not
replace the materials supplied by the hirer without
authorization, and may not replace any component which
does not require repair.
Article 257 Hiree's Remedies in Case
of Hirer's Delay in Responding Where the hiree discovers
that the drawings or technical requirements provided
by the hirer are unreasonable, it shall timely notify
the hirer. Where the hiree sustains any loss due to
reasons such as the hirer's delay in responding, etc.,
the hirer shall pay damages.
Article 258 Hirer Responsible for Its
Change of Requirements Where the hirer changed its requirements
for the hired work while the work was under way, thereby
causing loss to the hiree, the hirer shall indemnify
the hiree.
Article 259 Hirer's Obligation to Assist
in Performance Where performance of the hired work requires
assistance by the hirer, it is obligated to provide
assistance. Where the hired work is not capable of being
completed due to failure by the hirer to fulfill its
obligation to assist, the hiree may demand performance
from the hirer within a reasonable period and extend
the time of its own performance; where the hirer fails
to perform at the end of such period, the hiree may
terminate the contract.
Article 260 Hirer's Right to Monitor
In the course of performing the hired work, the hiree
shall consent to any necessary monitoring and inspection
by the hirer. Any monitoring or inspection conducted
by the hirer may not impair the normal work of the hiree.
Article 261 Delivery of Work Product
by Hiree Upon completion of the hired work, the hiree
shall deliver the work product to the hirer and shall
submit thereto the required technical materials and
related quality certificate. The hirer shall conduct
acceptance inspection of the work product.
Article 262 Hirer's Remedies in Case
of Quality Non-compliance Where the work product delivered
by the hiree fails to meet the quality requirements,
the hirer may require the hiree to assume liabilities
for breach of contract by way of repair, remaking, reduction
in remuneration, or payment of damages.
Article 263 Time of Payment of Remuneration
The hirer shall pay the remuneration at the prescribed
time. Where the time of payment was not prescribed or
clearly prescribed, and cannot be determined in accordance
with Article 61 hereof, the hirer shall make payment
at the time of the hiree's delivery of the work product;
where the work product is partially delivered, the hirer
shall make payment accordingly.
Article 264 Hiree's Possessory Lien
in Case of Non-Payment Where the hirer fails to pay
the remuneration or cost of materials, etc. to the hiree,
the hiree is entitled to a possessory lien on the work
product completed, except otherwise agreed by the parties.
Article 265 Hiree's Obligation of Due
Care for Materials and Work Product The hiree shall
keep the materials supplied by the hirer and the completed
work product with due care, and shall be liable for
damages in case of any damage or loss due to improper
care.
Article 266 Hiree's Confidentiality
Obligations The hiree shall keep the relevant information
confidential as required by the hirer, and may not retain
any replica or technical material without permission
by the hirer.
Article 267 Liability of Joint Hirees
Joint hirees are jointly and severally liable to the
hirer, except otherwise agreed by the parties.
Article 268 Hirer's Termination Right
Subject to Indemnification The hirer may terminate the
contract of hired work at any time, provided that it
shall indemnify the hiree for its loss as a result,
if any.
Chapter Sixteen Contracts for Construction
Projects
Article 269 Definition of Contract for
Construction Project A contract for construction project
is a contract whereby the contractor performs project
construction, and the developer pays the price. Contracts
for construction projects include contracts for survey,
design, and construction.
Article 270 Writing Requirement A contract
for construction project shall be in writing.
Article 271 Tendering Process in Construction
Project Tendering for a construction project shall be
conducted in an open, fair and impartial manner in accordance
with the relevant laws.
Article 272 Contracting and Subcontracting
in Construction Projects The developer may enter into
a contract for construction project with a prime contractor,
or enter into contracts for survey, design, and construction
with the surveyor, designer, and constructor respectively.
The developer may not divide a construction project
which should be completed by one contractor into several
parts and contract them out to several contractors.
Subject to consent by the developer, the prime contractor
or the contractor for survey, design, or construction
may delegate part of the contracted work to a third
person. The third person and the prime contractor or
the contractor for survey, design, or construction shall
be jointly and severally liable to the developer in
respect of the work product completed by such third
person. The contractor may not assign in whole to any
third person the contracted construction project, or
divide the whole contracted construction project into
several parts and separately assign each part to a third
person under the guise of sub-contracting. The contractor
is prohibited from sub-contracting any part of the project
to an entity not appropriately qualified. A sub-contractor
is prohibited from further sub-contracting its contracted
work. The main structure of the construction project
must be constructed by the contractor itself.
Article 273 Major State Construction
Projects A contract for a major state construction project
shall be concluded in accordance with the procedure
prescribed by the state and in compliance with the state-approved
documents such as the investment plan and feasibility
studies report, etc.
Article 274 Terms of Contract for Survey
or Design A contract for survey or design includes terms
such as the time limit for submission of the relevant
basic information and documents (including budget estimate),
the quality requirements, fees, and other conditions
of cooperation, etc.
Article 275 Terms of Construction Contract
A construction contract includes terms such as the scope
of the project, the construction period, the time for
commencement and completion of any work to be commissioned
in the interim, the quality of the project, the cost
of the project, the time for delivery of technical materials,
the responsibilities for the supply of materials and
equipment, the appropriation of funds and settlement
of account, inspection upon completion of the project,
the scope and period of quality warranty, and cooperation
between the parties, etc.
Article 276 Supervision of Construction
Project Where the construction project is subject to
supervision, the developer shall enter into an agency
appointment contract for project supervision with a
project supervisor in writing. The rights, obligations
and associated legal liabilities of the developer and
supervisor shall be prescribed in accordance with the
provisions hereof concerning agency appointment contracts
and the provisions of other relevant laws and administrative
regulations.
Article 277 Developer's Right to Inspect
Provided that the developer does not interfere with
the normal operation of the contractor, it may inspect
the progress and quality of the work at any time.
Article 278 Concealed Work In the case
of concealed work, the contractor shall give the developer
notice for inspection prior to concealment. Where the
developer fails to timely conduct inspection, the contractor
may extend the relevant project milestones, and is entitled
to claim damages for work stoppage or work slowdown,
etc.
Article 279 Inspection of Completed
Project; No Use Prior to Inspection Upon completion
of the construction project, the developer shall conduct
acceptance inspection according to the construction
drawings and specifications, and in accordance with
the rules of construction inspection and quality inspection
standard prescribed by the state. Once the construction
project has passed the acceptance inspection, the developer
shall pay the prescribed price and accept the construction
project. The completed construction project may be put
into use only after it has passed the acceptance inspection;
if the construction project has not been inspected or
has failed the inspection, it may not be put into use.
Article 280 Developer's Remedies in
Case of Non-compliant Survey or Design Where the developer
sustains any loss from construction delay due to non-compliance
of the survey or design or due to delayed delivery of
the survey or design documents, the surveyor or the
designer shall continue to improve the survey or design,
reduce or forgo the survey fee or design fee, and pay
damages.
Article 281 Developer's Remedies in
Case of Non-conforming Construction Where the construction
project fails to meet the prescribed quality requirements
due to any reason attributable to the constructor, the
developer is entitled to require the constructor to
repair, re-construct or make alteration free of charge
within a reasonable time. Where delivery of the project
is delayed due to such repair, re-construction or alteration,
the constructor shall be liable for breach of contract.
Article 282 Contractor Liable for Personal
and Property Damage Where the construction project caused
personal injury and property damage during its reasonable
usage period due to any reason attributable to the contractor,
the contractor shall be liable for damages.
Article 283 Contractor's Remedies in
Case of Developer's Failure to Provide Necessary Conditions
Where the developer fails to provide raw materials,
equipment, site, funds, or technical information at
the prescribed time and in accordance with the contractual
requirements, the contractor may extend the relevant
project milestones, and is entitled to claim damages
for work stoppage or slowdown, etc.
Article 284 Contractor's Remedies in
Case of Project Interruption Due to Reasons Attributable
to Developer If an ongoing project is stopped or delayed
due to any reason attributable to the developer, the
developer shall take the appropriate measures to make
up or mitigate the loss, and shall indemnify the contractor
for its loss and out-of-pocket expenses arising from
resulting work stoppage, slowdown, reshipment, re-dispatch
of mechanical equipment, and excess inventory of materials
and assemblies, etc.
Article 285 Surveyor's Remedies in Case
of Developer's Failure to Cooperate Where in the course
of survey or design, any repeating work, work stoppage
or change of design occurs due to the developer's change
of plan, the incorrect information provided by it, or
its failure to provide the working conditions necessary
for the survey or design at the prescribed time, the
developer shall increase the fees in light of the actual
amount of work done by the surveyor or designer.
Article 286 Contractor's Remedies in
Case of Developer's Failure to Pay Price If the developer
failed to pay the price in accordance with the contract,
the contractor may demand payment from the developer
within a reasonable period. Where the developer fails
to pay the price at the end of such period, the contractor
may enter into an agreement with the developer to liquidate
the project, and may also petition the People's Court
to auction the project in accordance with the law, unless
such project is not fit for liquidation or auction in
light of its nature. The construction project price
shall be paid in priority out of proceeds from the liquidation
or auction of the project.
Article 287 Provisions Governing Contracts
of Hired Works Applicable A matter not provided for
in this Chapter shall be governed by the relevant provision
governing contracts of hired works.
Chapter Seventeen Carriage Contracts
Section One General Provisions
Article 288 Definition of Carriage Contract
A carriage contract is a contract whereby the carrier
carries the passenger or cargo from the place of departure
to the prescribed destination, and the passenger, consignor
or consignee pays the fare or freightage.
Article 289 Common Carrier May Not Deny
Reasonable Carriage Requirement A common carrier may
not deny any normal and reasonable carriage requirement
by a passenger or consignor.
Article 290 Obligation of Carrier to
Carry in Safe and Timely Manner The carrier shall safely
carry the passenger or cargo to the prescribed destination
within the prescribed time or within a reasonable time.
Article 291 Obligation of Carrier to
Travel by Prescribed Route The carrier shall carry the
passenger or cargo to the prescribed destination by
the prescribed route or the normal route.
Article 292 Passenger's Remedies in
Case of Carrier's Failure to Travel by Prescribed Route
The passenger, consignor or consignee shall pay the
fare or freightage. Where the carrier failed to carry
the passenger or the cargo by the prescribed or normal
route, thereby increasing the fare or freightage, the
passenger, consignor or consignee may refuse to pay
any increased portion thereof.
Section Two Passenger Carriage Contracts
Article 293 Formation of Passenger Carriage
Contract A passenger carriage contract is formed upon
the carrier's delivery of the passenger ticket to the
passenger, except otherwise agreed by the parties or
provided by the relevant usage.
Article 294 Carrier's Remedies in Case
of Passenger's Failure to Pay Fare The passenger shall
board the mode of transportation with a valid passenger
ticket. If the passenger boards without a ticket, travels
beyond the prescribed destination, boards a class higher
than the prescribed class, or boards with an expired
ticket, he shall pay the fare retroactively, and the
carrier may charge additional fare in accordance with
the relevant stipulations. Where the passenger fails
to pay the fare, the carrier may refuse to carry.
Article 295 Passenger's Failure to Board
on Time Where the passenger is unable to board the mode
of transportation at the time prescribed on the passenger
ticket due to any reason attributable to himself, he
shall carry out the formality for ticket refund or reschedule
within the prescribed period. Where the passenger delays
in carrying out the relevant formality, the carrier
may refuse to refund the fare, and is no longer obligated
to carry such passenger.
Article 296 Carry-on Luggage In the
course of carriage, the passenger's carry-on luggage
shall be within the prescribed limit. Where his luggage
exceeds the prescribed limit on carry-on luggage, the
additional luggage shall be checked in.
Article 297 Boarding with Prohibited
Item The passenger may not carry in person, or place
in his luggage, any hazardous material which is flammable,
explosive, toxic, corrosive, or radioactive, etc., or
possibly endangers people or property on board, or an
otherwise prohibited item. Where the passenger violates
the previous paragraph, the carrier may unload, destroy
or turn over to the relevant authority the prohibited
item. Where the passenger insists on carrying in person
or placing in his luggage the prohibited item, the carrier
shall refuse to carry.
Article 298 Carrier's Obligation to
Inform The carrier shall timely inform the passenger
of any major cause preventing it from normal carriage,
as well as precautions relating to transportation safety.
Article 299 Passenger's Remedies in
Case of Delay The carrier shall carry the passenger
according to the time and carrier number prescribed
on the passenger ticket. Where the carrier delays in
carriage, it shall, upon request by the passenger, either
reschedule or refund the fare.
Article 300 Passenger's Remedies in
Case of Unilateral Change of Mode of Transportation
by Carrier Where the carrier unilaterally changed the
mode of transportation, thereby lowering the standard
of service, it shall, upon request by the passenger,
refund or reduce the fare; where the service standard
is enhanced as a result, no additional fare shall be
charged.
Article 301 Carrier's Obligation to
Assist Passenger In the course of carriage, the carrier
shall use its best effort to assist any passenger who
has a medical emergency, is in labor or encounters a
dangerous situation.
Article 302 Carrier Liable for Injury
of Passenger; Exceptions The carrier shall be liable
for damages in case of injury or death of the passenger
in the course of carriage, except where such injury
or death was attributable to the passenger's own health,
or the carrier has established that such injury or death
was caused by the passenger's intentional misconduct
or gross negligence. The provisions in the previous
paragraph apply to a passenger who is exempted from
buying a ticket or holds a discount ticket pursuant
to the relevant stipulations, or who is permitted by
the carrier to board without a ticket.
Article 303 Provisions Governing Loss
of Passenger's Luggage Where the passenger's carry-on
luggage was damaged or lost in the course of carriage,
the carrier shall be liable for damages if it was at
fault. Where the passenger's check-in luggage was damaged
or lost, the relevant provisions governing cargo carriage
apply.
Section Three Cargo Carriage Contracts
Article 304 Consignor's Obligation to
Inform; Liability for Misrepresentation In consigning
its cargo, the consignor shall correctly provide the
carrier with the name of the consignee or the consignee
to whose order the cargo is deliverable, as well as
any necessary information relating to carriage of the
cargo, such as the name, nature, weight, and quantity
of the cargo and the place for taking delivery thereof.
Where the carrier sustains any loss due to the consignor's
provision of false information or omission of any material
information, the consignor shall be liable for damages.
Article 305 Certain Cargo Carriage Subject
to Approval Where carriage of the cargo is subject to
any procedure such as approval or inspection, etc.,
the consignor shall submit to the carrier the relevant
documents evidencing completion of such procedure.
Article 306 Packing of Cargo in Prescribed
Manner The consignor shall pack the cargo in the prescribed
manner. Where a packing method was not prescribed or
clearly prescribed, Article 156 hereof applies. Where
the consignor violates the previous paragraph, the carrier
may refuse to carry.
Article 307 Carriage of Hazardous Materials
In consigning any hazardous material which is inflammable,
explosive, toxic, corrosive, or radioactive, etc., the
consignor shall, in accordance with the stipulations
of the state governing the carriage of hazardous materials,
properly pack the hazardous material and affix thereon
applicable signs and labels for hazardous materials,
and shall submit its name and nature as well as related
precautionary measures to the carrier in writing. If
the consignor violates the previous paragraph, the carrier
may refuse to carry, and may also take the appropriate
measures to prevent loss at the consignor's expense.
Article 308 Consignor's Right of Disposal
Prior to Delivery Prior to carrier's delivery of the
cargo to the consignee, the consignor may require the
carrier to suspend the carriage, return the cargo, change
the destination or deliver the cargo to another consignee,
provided that it shall indemnify the carrier for any
loss it sustains as a result.
Article 309 Taking Delivery of Cargo
by Consignee Upon arrival of the cargo, if the carrier
knows of the consignee, it shall timely notify the consignee,
who shall timely take delivery. Where the consignee
delays in taking delivery, it shall pay expenses such
as safekeeping fee, etc. to the carrier.
Article 310 Inspection by Consignee;
Effect of Failure to Inspect Upon taking delivery of
the cargo, the consignee shall inspect the cargo at
the prescribed time. Where the time for inspection was
not prescribed or clearly prescribed, and cannot be
determined in accordance with Article 61 hereof, the
consignee shall inspect the cargo within a reasonable
time. The consignee's failure to raise any objection
concerning the quantity of, or any damage to, the cargo
within the prescribed time or within a reasonable time
is deemed prima facie evidence of delivery by the carrier
in compliance with the description in the transportation
documents.
Article 311 Carrier Liable for Damage
or Loss during Carriage; Exceptions The carrier is liable
for damages in case of damage to or loss of the cargo
in the course of carriage, provided that it is not liable
for damages if it has established that such damage to
or loss of the cargo was caused by force majeure, the
intrinsic characteristics of the cargo, reasonable depletion,
or the fault of the consignor or consignee.
Article 312 Amount of Damages in Case
of Loss of Cargo Where the parties agreed on the amount
of damages in case of damage to or loss of the cargo,
the damages payable is the prescribed amount; if the
amount of damages was not prescribed or clearly prescribed,
and cannot be determined in accordance with Article
61 hereof, it shall be calculated based on the prevailing
market price at the destination when the cargo was or
should have been delivered. Where a law or administrative
regulation provides otherwise in respect of the method
for calculation of damages and any limitation on damages,
such provisions apply.
Article 313 Liabilities of Joint Carriers
Using the Same Method of Transportation Where two or
more carriers jointly carry the cargo using the same
method of transportation, the carrier contracting with
the consignor shall be responsible for the whole course
of carriage. Where the loss occurred at a particular
segment, the carrier contracting with the consignor
and the carrier for such segment are jointly and severally
liable.
Article 314 Freightage in Case of Force
Majeure Where the cargo was lost in the course of carriage
due to force majeure, if the freightage has not been
collected, the carrier may not require payment thereof;
if the freightage has been collected, the consignor
may claim refund.
Article 315 Carrier's Possessory Lien
in Case of Non-payment Where the consignor or consignee
fails to pay the freightage, safekeeping fee and other
expenses in connection with the carriage of the cargo,
the carrier is entitled to a possessory lien on the
corresponding portion of the cargo, except otherwise
agreed by the parties.
Article 316 Placing Cargo in Escrow
Where the consignee is not known or refuses to take
delivery of the cargo without cause, the carrier may
place the cargo in escrow under Article 101 hereof.
Section Four Multi-modal Carriage Contract
Article 317 Rights and Obligations of
Multi-modal Carriage Operator A multi-modal carriage
operator is responsible for performing, or arranging
for performance of, the multi-modal carriage contract,
and it enjoys the rights and assumes the obligations
of a carrier throughout the course of carriage.
Article 318 Agreement between Multi-modal
Carriage Operator and Segment Carriers The multi-modal
carriage operator and the segment carriers may prescribe
their respective duties concerning each segment, provided
that the obligations of the multi-modal carriage operator
with respect to the entire course of carriage are not
affected by any such agreement.
Article 319 Multi-modal Carriage Document
Upon receipt of the cargo delivered by the consignor,
the multi-modal carriage operator shall issue thereto
a multi-modal carriage document. The multi-modal carriage
document may either be assignable or non-assignable
as required by the consignor.
Article 320 Consignor's Liability Notwithstanding
Assignment of Document Where the multi-modal carriage
operator sustains any loss due to the fault of the consignor
in the course of consigning the cargo, the consignor
shall be liable for damages notwithstanding its subsequent
assignment of the multi-modal carriage document.
Article 321 Applicable Law Governing
Loss of Cargo in Multi-modal Carriage Where damage to
or loss of the cargo occurred within a particular segment
of the course of a multi-modal carriage, the multi-modal
carriage operator's liability for damages and any limitation
thereon are governed by the applicable transportation
law of the jurisdiction which such segment is under.
Where the segment in which the cargo was damaged or
lost cannot be determined, the liability for damages
shall be borne in accordance with this Chapter.
Chapter Eighteen Technology Contracts
Section One General Provisions
Article 322 Definition of Technology
Contract A technology contract is a contract whereby
the parties prescribe their rights and obligations in
respect of the development or transfer of technology,
or in respect of technical consulting or service.
Article 323 General Requirements Concerning
Technology Contract Conclusion of a technology contract
shall be conducive to the advancement of science and
technology, and expedite the conversion, application
and dissemination of scientific and technological achievements.
Article 324 Terms of Technology Contract;
Patents Terms of a technology contract shall be prescribed
by the parties, and generally include the following:
(i) project name;
(ii) contents, scope and requirement of the subject
matter;
(iii) the plan, schedule, period, place, territory and
method of performance;
(iv) confidentiality of technical information and materials;
(v) allocation of responsibilities for risks;
(vi) ownership of the technology and allocation of benefits
accrued therefrom;
(vii) standard applicable to and method of acceptance
test;
(viii)price, remuneration or licensing fee and the method
of payment;
(ix) liquidated damages or method for calculation of
damages;
(x) method of dispute resolution;
(xi) definition of terms and phrases.
The parties may agree to include the following materials
relating to the performance of the contract as an integral
part thereof: technical background information, feasibility
studies and technical evaluation report, project task
matrix and project plan, technical standard, technical
specifications, original design and technique documents,
as well as other technical documentation. Where the
technology contract involves any patent, it shall set
forth the name of the invention/innovation, the patent
applicant and the patentee, the date of application,
the application number, patent number and the term of
the patent.
Article 325 Payment Method; Royalty
The method for payment of the price, remuneration or
licensing fee under a technology contract shall be prescribed
by the parties, who may prescribe lump-sum payment based
on one-time calculation or installment payment based
on one-time calculation, and may also prescribe royalty
payment or royalty payment plus advance payment of initial
fee. Where a royalty payment method is prescribed, the
royalty may be calculated as a percentage of the product
price, any increase in product value resulting from
exploitation of the patent or use of the technical secret,
profit, or product sales, and may also be calculated
by any other method prescribed by the parties. The royalty
rate may be fixed or subject to annual increase or decrease.
Where a royalty payment is prescribed, the parties shall
prescribe in the contract a method for inspection of
the relevant accounting books.
Article 326 Employee-developed Technology;
Definition Where the right to use and the right to transfer
employee-developed technology belong to a legal person
or an organization of any other nature, the legal person
or organization may enter into a technology contract
in respect of such employee-developed technology. The
legal person or organization shall reward or remunerate
the individual(s) who developed the technology with
a percentage of the benefits accrued from the use and
transfer of the employee-developed technology. Where
the legal person or organization is to enter into a
technology contract for the transfer of the employee-developed
technology, the employee-developer has the right of
first refusal under the same conditions. An employee-developed
technology is a technology developed in the course of
completing a task assigned by a legal person or an organization
of any other nature, or developed by primarily utilizing
the material and technical resources thereof.
Article 327 Non-employee-developed Technology
The right to use and the right to transfer non-employee-developed
technology belong to the individual developer, who may
enter into a technology contract in respect thereof.
Article 328 Individual's Rights with
Respect to Technology Developed Thereby The individual
who developed the technology is entitled to identify
himself as the developer in the documentation related
thereto, and to receive honor certificate and reward.
Article 329 Invalidity of Technology-monopolizing
and Infringing Contract A technology contract which
illegally monopolizes technology, impairs technological
advancement or infringes on the technology of a third
person is invalid.
Section Two Technology Development Contract
Article 330 Definition of Technology
Development Contract A technology development contract
is a contract concluded in respect of the development
of a new technology, product, technique or material
and the associated system. Technology development contracts
include commissioned development contracts and cooperative
development contracts. A technology development contract
shall be in writing. A contract on the conversion of
a scientific achievement with potential for industrial
application is governed by reference to the provisions
applicable to technology development contracts.
Article 331 Obligations of Commissioning
Party The commissioning party under a commissioned development
contract shall, in accordance with the contract, provide
development funds and pay remuneration; supply technical
materials and original data; complete its tasks of cooperation;
and accept the developed technology.
Article 332 Obligations of Developer
in Commissioned Development The developer under a commissioned
development contract shall, in accordance with the contract,
prepare and implement the development plan; use development
funds in a reasonable manner; timely complete the development
and deliver the developed technology, as well as provide
the relevant technical materials and necessary technical
guidance so as to help the commissioning party master
the developed technology.
Article 333 Commissioning Party's Breach
Where the commissioning party breached the contract,
thereby causing stoppage, delay or failure of the development,
it shall be liable for breach of contract.
Article 334 Developer's Breach Where
the developer breached the contract, thereby causing
stoppage, delay or failure of the development, it shall
be liable for breach of contract.
Article 335 Obligations of Parties in
Cooperative Development Parties to a cooperative development
contract shall, in accordance with the contract, make
investment, including investment in the form of technology;
participate in the development by performing their respective
tasks; and cooperate with each other in the development.
Article 336 Breach of Cooperative Contract
Where a party to a cooperative development contract
breached the contract, thereby causing stoppage, delay
or failure of the development, it shall be liable for
breach of contract.
Article 337 Termination of Contract
in Case Technology Becomes Public Where the technology
which is the subject matter of a technology development
contract was made public by a third person, thereby
rendering performance of the technology development
contract no longer meaningful, the parties may terminate
the contract.
Article 338 Allocation of Responsibility
for Risk of Failure; Duty to Inform upon Discovery of
Circumstance Which May Lead to Failure If in the course
of implementing a technology development contract, the
development failed in whole or in part due to any insurmountable
technical difficulty, allocation of the responsibility
for such risk shall be prescribed by the parties. Where
the allocation of responsibility for such risk was not
prescribed or clearly prescribed, and cannot be determined
in accordance with Article 61 hereof, it shall be shared
by the parties in a reasonable manner. Where a party
discovers any circumstance which may lead to the failure
of the development in whole or in part as described
in the previous paragraph, it shall timely notify the
other party and take the appropriate measures to mitigate
loss; where the party failed to timely notify the other
party and take the appropriate measures, thereby causing
further loss, it shall be liable for such further loss.
Article 339 Right to Patent Application
in Commissioned Development Unless otherwise agreed
by the parties, the right to apply for patent on the
invention/innovation resulting from a commissioned development
belongs to the developer. Where the developer is granted
a patent, the commissioning party may exploit such patent
free of charge. Where the developer is to assign the
right to apply for patent on the invention/innovation
resulting from the commissioned development, the commissioning
party has the right of first refusal under the same
conditions.
Article 340 Right to Patent Application
in Cooperative Development Unless otherwise agreed by
the parties, the right to apply for patent on the invention/innovation
resulting from a cooperative development belongs to
the parties therein jointly. Where a party is to assign
its joint patent application right, the other parties
have the right of first refusal under the same conditions.
Where a party in the cooperative development declares
a waiver of its joint patent application right, the
other party may apply by itself, or the other parties
may jointly apply, as the case may be. Where a patent
is granted on the invention/innovation, the party waiving
its patent application right may exploit such patent
free of charge. If a party in the cooperative development
does not consent to the application for patent, the
other party or parties may not apply for patent.
Article 341 Right to Use or Transfer
Technical Secret The right to use and transfer the technical
secret resulting from a commissioned or cooperative
development, and the method for allocation of benefits
accrued therefrom shall be prescribed by the parties.
Where such matters were not prescribed or clearly prescribed,
and cannot be determined in accordance with Article
61 hereof, all of the parties are entitled to use and
transfer the technology, provided that the developer
in a commissioned development may not transfer the technology
to a third person before it delivers the technology
to the commissioning party.
Section Three Technology Transfer Contracts
Article 342 Types of Technology Transfer
Contract Technology transfer contracts include contracts
for the assignment of patent, assignment of patent application
right, transfer of technical secrets, and patent licensing.
A technology transfer contract shall be in writing.
Article 343 Limit on Scope of Implementation
May Not Restrict Competition A technology transfer contract
may set forth the scope of exploitation of the patent
or the use of the technical secret by the transferor
and the transferee, provided that it may not restrict
technological competition and technological development.
Article 344 Term of Patent Licensing
Contract May Not Exceed Patent Term A patent licensing
contract is only valid during the term of the patent.
Where the term of the patent expires or the patent is
invalidated, the patentee may not enter into a patent
licensing contract with any other person in respect
thereof.
Article 345 Obligations of Patent Licensor
The transferor under a patent licensing contract shall,
in accordance with the contract, license the patent
to the transferee, deliver the technical materials related
to the exploitation of the patent, and provide the necessary
technical guidance.
Article 346 Obligations of Patent Licensee
The transferee under a patent licensing contract shall
exploit the patent in accordance with the contract and
may not license the patent to any third person except
as provided in the contract; and shall pay the licensing
fee in accordance with the contract.
Article 347 Obligations of Transferor
of Technical Secret The transferor under a contract
for transfer of technical secret shall, in accordance
with the contract, supply the technical materials, provide
technical guidance, and warrant the practical applicability
and reliability of the technology, and shall abide by
its confidentiality obligations.
Article 348 Obligations of Transferee
of Technical Secret The transferee under a contract
for transfer of technical secret shall, in accordance
with the contract, use the technology, pay the licensing
fee and abide by its confidentiality obligations.
Article 349 Warranty of Title, Completeness,
Correctness and Effectiveness The transferor under a
technology transfer contract shall warrant that it is
the lawful owner of the technology provided, and shall
warrant that the technology provided is complete, free
from error, effective, and capable of achieving the
prescribed goals.
Article 350 Transferee's Confidentiality
Obligations The transferee under a technology transfer
contract shall, to the prescribed extent and within
the prescribed period, abide by its confidentiality
obligations in respect of the non-public and secret
portion of the technology provided by the transferor.
Article 351 Transferor's Liabilities
for Breach Where the transferor failed to transfer technology
in accordance with the contract, it shall refund the
licensing fee in part or in whole, and shall be liable
for breach of contract; where the transferor exploited
the patent or used the technical secret beyond the prescribed
scope, or unilaterally allowed the patent to be exploited
or the technical secret to be used by a third person
in breach of the contract, it shall cease the breach
and be liable for breach of contract; where the transferor
breached any prescribed confidentiality obligation,
it shall be liable for breach of contract.
Article 352 Transferee's Liabilities
for Breach Where the transferee failed to pay the prescribed
licensing fee, it shall pay the overdue licensing fee
and pay liquidated damages in accordance with the contract;
where it failed to pay the overdue licensing fee and
liquidated damages, it shall cease exploitation of the
patent or use of the technical secret, return the technical
materials, and be liable for breach of contract; where
the transferee exploited the patent or used the technical
secret beyond the prescribed scope, or allowed the patent
to be exploited or the technical secret to be used by
a third person without consent by the transferor in
breach of the contract, it shall cease the breach and
be liable for breach of contract; where the transferee
breached any prescribed confidentiality obligation,
it shall be liable for breach of contract.
Article 353 Transferor Liable in Case
of Infringement; Exception Where the exploitation of
the patent or the use of the technical secret by the
transferee in accordance with the contract infringes
on the lawful interests of any other person, the liability
shall be borne by the transferor, except otherwise agreed
by the parties. Article 354 Sharing of Improvement The
parties may, on the basis of mutual benefit, provide
in the technology transfer contract for the method of
sharing any subsequent improvement resulting from the
exploitation of the patent or use of the technical secret.
If such method was not prescribed or clearly prescribed,
and cannot be determined in accordance with Article
61 hereof, neither party is entitled to share any subsequent
improvement made by the other party.
Article 355 Applicability of Other Laws
or Administrative Regulations Where the relevant laws
or administrative regulations provide otherwise in respect
of technology import/export contracts or in respect
of patent contracts or contracts for patent application,
such provisions prevail.
Section Four Technical Consulting Contracts
and Technical Service Contracts
Article 356 Definitions of Technical
Consulting and Technical Service Contracts Technical
consulting contracts include contracts for provision
of feasibility studies, technical forecast, specialized
technical investigation, and analysis and evaluation
report, etc. in respect of a particular technical project.
A technical service contract means a contract whereby
one party solves a particular technical problem for
the other party by utilizing its technical knowledge,
excluding a contract for construction project or a contract
of hired work.
Article 357 Obligations of Client under
Technical Consulting Contract The client under a technical
consulting contract shall, in accordance with the contract,
describe the problem on which consultancy is sought,
provide the technical background information as well
as related technical materials and data; and accept
the work product from, and pay the remuneration to,
the consultant.
Article 358 Obligations of Consultant
under Technical Consulting Contract The consultant under
a technical consulting contract shall complete the consulting
report or answer the question within the prescribed
period; the consulting report submitted shall comply
with the requirements set forth in the contract.
Article 359 Remedies for Breach; Consultant
Not Liable for Loss Where the client under a technical
consulting contract failed to provide the necessary
materials and data in accordance with the contract,
thereby impairing the progress and quality of the work,
or failed to accept or delayed in accepting the work
product, it may not claim refund of the remuneration
paid, and shall pay any unpaid remuneration. Where the
consultant under the technical consulting contract failed
to provide the consulting report within the prescribed
period or the consulting report submitted does not comply
with the contract, it shall be liable for breach of
contract by way of reducing or foregoing the remuneration,
etc. The client under a technical consulting contract
shall bear the loss resulting from any decision made
by it based on the complying consulting report and opinion
provided by the consultant, except otherwise agreed
by the parties.
Article 360 Obligations of Client under
Technical Service Contract The client under a technical
service contract shall, in accordance with the contract,
provide the working conditions and complete its tasks
of cooperation; accept the work product and pay the
remuneration.
Article 361 Obligations of Service Provider
under Technical Service Contract The service provider
under a technical service contract shall, in accordance
with the contract, complete the services, solve the
technical problem, warrant the quality of its work,
and communicate the knowledge for solving the technical
problem.
Article 362 Remedies for Breach Where
the client under a technical service contract failed
to perform its contractual obligations, or rendered
non-conforming performance, thereby impairing the progress
and quality of the work, or failed to accept or delayed
in accepting the work product, it may not claim refund
of the remuneration paid, and shall pay any unpaid remuneration.
Where the service provider under a technical service
contract failed to complete services in accordance with
the contract, it shall be liable for breach of contract
by way of forgoing the remuneration, etc.
Article 363 Ownership of New Technology
in Connection with Technical Consulting/Service Contract
In the course of performing a technical consulting contract
or a technical service contract, any new technology
developed by the consultant or service provider utilizing
the technical materials and working conditions provided
by the client belongs to the consultant or service provider.
Any new technology developed by the client utilizing
the work product provided by the consultant or service
provider belongs to the client. However, if the parties
agree otherwise in the contract, such provision prevails.
Article 364 Technology Intermediary
Service or Technical Training Where a relevant law or
administrative regulation provides otherwise in respect
of technology intermediary service contracts or technical
training contracts, such provisions prevail.
Chapter Nineteen Safekeeping Contracts
Article 365 Definition of Safekeeping
Contract A safekeeping contract is a contract whereby
the depository keeps the deposit delivered by the depositor,
and eventually returns it thereto.
Article 366 Safekeeping Fee The depositor
shall pay the safekeeping fee to the depository in accordance
with the contract. Where the safekeeping fee was not
prescribed or clearly prescribed, and cannot be determined
in accordance with Article 61 hereof, the safekeeping
is gratuitous.
Article 367 Formation of Safekeeping
Contract A safekeeping contract is formed upon delivery
of the deposit, except otherwise agreed by the parties.
Article 368 Deposit Voucher Upon the
depositor's delivery of the deposit to the depository,
the depository shall issue a deposit voucher thereto,
except otherwise provided by the relevant usage.
Article 369 Place and Manner of Safekeeping
The depository shall keep the deposit with due care.
The parties may prescribe the place and manner of safekeeping.
The place and manner of safekeeping may not be changed
without authorization, except in an emergency situation
or for the purpose of safeguarding the depositor's interests.
Article 370 Depositor's Obligation to
Inform Where the deposit delivered by the depositor
has defects or requires special safekeeping measures
in light of its nature, the depositor shall inform the
depository of the relevant situation. Where the depositor
failed to inform, thereby causing damage to the deposit,
the depository is not liable for damages; where the
depository sustains any loss as a result, the depositor
shall be liable for damages, except where the depository
was, or should have been, aware of the situation and
failed to take remedial measures.
Article 371 Delegation of Safekeeping
Prohibited Except with Prior Agreement The depository
may not delegate safekeeping of the deposit to a third
person, except otherwise agreed by the parties. Where
the depository delegated safekeeping of the deposit
to a third person in violation of the previous paragraph,
thereby causing damage to the deposit, the depository
shall be liable for damages.
Article 372 Use of Deposit Prohibited
Except with Prior Agreement The depository may not use,
or allow to be used, the deposit, except otherwise agreed
by the parties.
Article 373 Depository's Obligations
in Case of Third Party Claim Where a third person makes
a claim on the deposit, the depository shall perform
its obligation of returning the deposit to the depositor,
except where an order of preservation or enforcement
is carried out in respect of the deposit in accordance
with the law. Where a third person has initiated a suit
against the depository or has applied for attachment
of the deposit, the depository shall timely notify the
depositor.
Article 374 Depository Liable in Case
of Damage or Loss; Exception If the deposit was damaged
or lost due to improper safekeeping by the depository
during the deposit period, the depository shall be liable
for damages, provided that if the safekeeping is gratuitous,
and the depository has established that it was without
gross negligence, it is not liable for damages.
Article 375 Depositor's Obligation to
Declare Valuable Deposit Where the depositor is to deposit
money, securities, or any other valuable item for safekeeping,
it shall make a declaration to the depository on such
item, which shall be inspected or sealed by the depository.
Where the depositor failed to make such declaration,
upon damage to or loss of the deposit, the depository
may indemnify the depositor to the extent of the value
of a regular item.
Article 376 Retrieval of Deposit The
depositor may retrieve the deposit at any time. Where
a deposit period was not prescribed or clearly prescribed,
the depository may require the depositor to retrieve
the deposit at any time; where a deposit period was
prescribed, absent special cause, the depository may
not require the depositor to retrieve the deposit before
the end of the deposit period.
Article 377 Depository's Obligation
to Return Deposit and Fruit At the end of the deposit
period, or if the depositor retrieves the deposit before
the end of the deposit period, the depository shall
return the original item together with any fruit thereof
to the depositor.
Article 378 Safekeeping of Fungible
Items Where the depository keeps money deposit, it may
return money of the same type and quantity. Where the
depository keeps any other fungible item, it may return
any item of the same type, quality and quantity in accordance
with the contract.
Article 379 Time of Payment of Safekeeping
Fee Under a safekeeping contract for value, the depositor
shall pay to the depository the safekeeping fee at the
prescribed time. Where the time of payment of the safekeeping
fee was not prescribed or clearly prescribed, and cannot
be determined in accordance with Article 61 hereof,
the safekeeping fee shall be paid at the same time the
deposit is retrieved.
Article 380 Depository's Lien in Case
of Non-payment Where the depositor fails to pay the
safekeeping fee and other expenses, the depository is
entitled to a possessory lien on the deposit, unless
otherwise agreed by the parties.
Chapter twenty Warehousing Contracts
Article 381 Definition of Warehousing
Contract A warehousing contract is a contract whereby
the warehouser stores the goods delivered by the depositor,
and the depositor pays the warehousing fee.
Article 382 Effectiveness of Warehousing
Contract A warehousing contract becomes effective upon
its formation.
Article 383 Storage of Hazardous Material
Where the depositor intends to store any hazardous material
which is inflammable, explosive, toxic, corrosive, or
radioactive, etc., or any material susceptible to deterioration,
it shall describe the nature of the goods and provide
the relevant information. Where the depositor violates
the previous paragraph, the warehouser may reject the
goods and may also take the appropriate measures to
prevent loss at the depositor's expense. Where the warehouser
is to store any hazardous material which is inflammable,
explosive, toxic, corrosive, or radioactive, etc., it
shall be equipped with the appropriate safekeeping conditions.
Article 384 Inspection by Warehouser;
Passing of Responsibility The warehouser shall, in accordance
with the contract, conduct warehouse-in inspection of
the goods. Where in the course of such inspection, the
warehouser discovers any non-compliance of the goods,
it shall timely notify the depositor. After inspection
and acceptance by the warehouser, if any non-compliance
in respect of the type, quantity or quality of the goods
occurs, the warehouser shall be liable for damages.
Article 385 Warehouse Receipt Upon the
depositor's delivery of the goods, the warehouser shall
issue thereto a warehouse receipt.
Article 386 Contents of Warehouse Receipt
The warehouser shall sign or seal the warehouse receipt.
The warehouse receipt shall set forth the following:
(i) name and domicile of the depositor;
(ii) the type, quantity, quality, and packing method
of the goods, and the number of packages thereof and
the marks thereon;
(iii) the depletion standard for the goods;
(iv) the warehousing facility;
(v) the warehousing period;
(vi) the warehousing fee;
(vii) if the goods are insured, the insured amount,
term of insurance and the name of the insurer;
(viii)the preparing and issuing person and place and
date of preparation and issuance.
Article 387 Nature and Assignability
of Warehouse Receipt The warehouse receipt is the voucher
for retrieving the goods. Where the depositor or holder
of the warehouse receipt has endorsed the warehouse
receipt and the warehouser has signed or sealed thereon,
the right to retrieve the goods may be assigned.
Article 388 Warehouse Receipt Holder's
Right to Inspect Upon request by the holder of the warehouse
receipt, the warehouser shall allow him to inspect the
goods or take samples therefrom.
Article 389 Obligation of Warehouser
to Notify in Case of Damage Where the warehouser discovers
that the warehoused goods are deteriorating or are otherwise
damaged, it shall timely notify the depositor or holder
of the warehouse receipt.
Article 390 Warehouser's Obligations
and Rights in Respect of Deteriorating Goods Where the
warehouser discovers that the warehoused goods are deteriorating
or are otherwise damaged, thereby endangering other
goods and normal safekeeping, it shall demand disposal
of the goods by the depositor or the holder of the warehouse
receipt as necessary. In an emergency situation, the
warehouser may dispose of the goods as necessary, provided
that thereafter it shall timely notify the depositor
or holder of the warehouse receipt of the situation.
Article 391 Warehousing Period Where
the warehousing period was not prescribed or clearly
prescribed, the depositor or holder of the warehouse
receipt may retrieve the goods at any time, and the
warehouser may require the depositor or holder of the
warehouse receipt to retrieve the goods at any time,
provided that the other party shall be given the time
required for preparation.
Article 392 Retrieval of Goods At the
end of the warehousing period, the depositor or holder
of the warehouse receipt shall retrieve the goods by
presenting the warehouse receipt to the warehouser.
Where the depositor or holder of the warehouse receipt
delays in retrieving the goods, additional warehousing
fee shall be charged; where the goods are retrieved
before the end of the warehousing period, the warehousing
fee shall not be reduced.
Article 393 Placing Goods in Escrow
in Case of Failure to Retrieve At the end of the warehousing
period, if the depositor or holder of the warehouse
receipt failed to retrieve the goods, the warehouser
may demand retrieval within a reasonable period, and
if the goods are not retrieved at the end of such period,
the warehouser may place the goods in escrow.
Article 394 Warehouser's Liabilities
in Case of Damage to Goods Where the goods were damaged
or lost during the warehousing period due to improper
safekeeping by the warehouser, it shall be liable for
damages. If the goods deteriorated or were damaged due
to their nature, non-conforming packing method, or storage
beyond their shelf-life, the warehouser is not liable
for damages.
Article 395 Provisions Governing Safekeeping
Contracts Applicable A matter not provided for in this
Chapter shall be governed by the relevant provision
applicable to safekeeping contracts.
Chapter Twenty One Agency Appointment
Contracts
Article 396 Definition of Agency Appointment
Contract An agency appointment contract is a contract
whereby the principal and the agent agree that the agent
will handle the principal's affairs.
Article 397 Scope of Appointment The
principal may specifically appoint the agent to handle
one or more of its affairs, or generally appoint the
agent to handle all of its affairs.
Article 398 Principal's Obligation to
Prepay Expenses The principal shall prepay the expenses
for handling the entrusted affair. Any expense necessary
for handling the entrusted affair advanced by the agent
shall be repaid with interest by the principal.
Article 399 Agent's Obligation to Follow
Instruction; Deviation from Instruction The agent shall
handle the entrusted affair in accordance with the instruction
of the principal. Any required deviation from the principal's
instruction is subject to consent by the principal;
in an emergency where the agent has difficulty contacting
the principal, the agent shall properly handle the entrusted
affair, provided that thereafter the agent shall timely
notify the principal of the situation.
Article 400 Delegation of Agency Subject
to Consent; Exceptions The agent shall personally handle
the entrusted affair. Subject to consent by the principal,
the agent may delegate the agency to a third person.
If the delegation is approved, the principal may issue
instructions concerning the entrusted affair directly
to the delegate, and the agent is only responsible for
its selection of the delegate or its own instruction
thereto. Where the agency is delegated without consent,
the agent shall be liable for any act of the delegate,
except in an emergency where the agent needs to delegate
the agency in order to safeguard the interests of the
principal.
Article 401 Agent's Obligation to Inform
Upon request by the principal, the agent shall report
on the progress of the entrusted affair. Upon discharge
of the agency contract, the agent shall render an account
of the entrusted affair.
Article 402 Agent's Act Binding on Principal;
Exceptions Where the agent, acting within the scope
of authority granted by the principal, entered into
a contract in its own name with a third person who was
aware of the agency relationship between the principal
and agent, the contract is directly binding upon the
principal and such third person, except where there
is conclusive evidence establishing that the contract
is only binding upon the agent and such third person.
Article 403 Agent's Non-performance
toward Principal Due to Act of Third Person; Non-performance
toward Third Person Due to Act of Principal Where the
agent entered into a contract in its own name with a
third person who was not aware of the agency relationship
between the agent and the principal, if the agent failed
to perform its obligation toward the principal due to
any reason attributable to such third person, the agent
shall disclose the third person to the principal, allowing
it to exercise the agent's rights against such third
person, except where the third person would not have
entered into the contract with the agent had it known
the identity of the principal. Where the agent failed
to perform its obligation toward the third person due
to any reason attributable to the principal, the agent
shall disclose the principal to the third person, allowing
the third person to select in alternative either the
principal or the agent as the other contract party against
whom to make a claim, provided that the third person
may not subsequently change its selection of the contract
party. Where the principal exercises the rights of the
agent against the third person, the third person may
avail itself of any defense it has against the agent.
Where the third person selects the principal as the
other party to the contract, the principal may avail
itself of any defense it has against the agent as well
as any defense the agent has against the third person.
Article 404 Property Acquired by Agent
Any property acquired by the agent in the course of
handling the entrusted affair shall be turned over to
the principal.
Article 405 Remuneration to Agent Upon