BOILERPLATES CLAUSES

Entire Agreement (acordo integral) que dispõe ser vedado a qualquer das partes contratantes vindicar qualquer direito baseado em documento ou declaração não expressamente contido no contrato e que o contrato substitui todo e qualquer acordo anterior entre as mesmas partes.

 Normalmente, a ENTIRE AGREEMENT CLAUSE vem ao final do contrato, perto da GOVERNING LAW e ARBITRATION CLAUSE, por ser uma previsão geral. 

Por certo que o cuidado que se tem de ter é de que qualquer acordo anterior esteja disposto no contrato.

As disposições mais usuais são as de que as cláusulas declaradas no contrato representam integralmente todo e qualquer acordo firmado entre as partes, excluído qualquer outro anterior, feito por escrito ou oralmente, expressa ou tacitamente.  Também há, normalmente,  a disposição expressa de  que o contrato substituiu todo e qualquer outro acordo que lhe seja anterior.

EX.:

ENTIRE AGREEMENT BOILERPLATE CLAUSE

“This Agreement and the Attachments hereto constitute the entire agreement between the contracting parties concerning the subject matter hereof. All prior agreements, discussions, representations, warranties and covenants are merged herein. There are no warranties, representations, covenants or agreements, expressed or implied, between the parties except those expressly set forth in this agreement. Any amendments or modifications of this agreement shall be in writing and executed by the contracting parties.

Force majeure (força maior) é a cláusula que prevê a possibilidade de descumprimento do contrato por motivo de força maior, sem que seja imputada responsabilidade a qualquer das partes contratante.  É bom, ao redigir tais cláusulas, que sejam inseridos exemplos específicos dos eventos que  ensejarão a incidência e aplicação de tal cláusula. 

Tais eventos, no mais das vezes, se dividem em três tipos:  eventos/desastres naturais (em inglês “act of God”), tais como terremotos, furacões, inundações e incêndios;  eventos humanos, como guerras, tumultos ou caos social;  eventos fora do controle da parte contratante, tais como problemas atribuídos à companhia telefônica, disputas de trabalho externas às partes contratantes, restrições governamentais (cancelamento de licença etc.), problemas de suprimento (produto indisponível).

Act of God  é definido como “a direct, sudden, and irresistible action of natural forces such as could not reasonably have been foreseen or prevented, as a flood, hurricane, earthquake, or other natural catastrophe.”   (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ACT+OF+GOD?s=t)

EX.:

 FORCE MAJEURE BOILERPLATE CLAUSE

“Neither party to this contract is in default hereunder by reason of its delay in the performance of or failure to perform, in whole or in part, any of its obligations hereunder, if such delay or failure resulted from acts of God or other occurrences beyond its reasonable control and without its fault or negligence. Such acts or occurrences shall include, but not be limited to, earthquakes, floods, fire, power failures, communications failures, epidemics, strikes, lockouts, war, terrorist activity or government regulations which go into effect after the effective date of this Agreement.”

Ou,

“ Neither party shall be liable in damages or have the right to terminate this agreement for any delay or default in performing hereunder if such delay or default is caused by conditions beyond its control including but not limited to acts of God, government restrictions (including the denial or cancellation of any export of other necessary license), wars, insurrections and/or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the party whose performance is affected (including mechanical, electronic, or communications failure).

Interpretation or construction (interpretação) esta cláusula dispõe sobre  como se dará a  interpretação de elementos do contrato.  Note que as regras de interpretação dadas nessa cláusula não são equivalentes às cláusulas law and jurisdiction, governing law, law of agreement ou choice of law, mas apenas regras específicas de interpretação.

Abaixo, exemplo de cláusula contendo regras de interpretação, no que diz a contrato redigido por uma das partes, ou a pedido desta, que não poderá ser interpretado, por este único motivo, contra a parte que praticou a ação na cláusula descrita.

EX.:  INTERPRETATION OR CONSTRUCTION BOILERPLATE CLAUSE

“In the event of a dispute hereunder, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with its fair meaning and shall not be interpreted for or against any Party hereto on the ground that such party drafted or caused to be drafted this Agreement or any part thereof, nor shall any presumption or burden of proof or persuasion be implied by virtue of the fact that this Agreement may have been prepared by or at the request of a particular Party or his or her counsel.”

Law and Jurisdiction (direito e jurisdição) esta cláusula, que pode ser dividida em duas (governing law and venue), diz qual a lei aplicável ao contrato (governing law, applicable law, law of agreement, Choice of Law).

Em alguns casos, além de fazer menção à legislação que se pretende aplicada, as partes contratantes excluem expressamente a aplicação de outra legislação, para que, pela ênfase dada, não paire sombra de dúvidas sobre o que pretendido.

Ex.:

CHOICE OF LAW BOILERPLATE CLAUSE

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of California, as applied to agreements entered into and to be performed entirely within California between California residents. The application of the U.N. Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is hereby expressly excluded.

Notices (notificações) está cláusula prevê qual o meio de comunicação a ser utilizado para dar ciência as partes sobre algum evento específico (intimação, interpelação ou notificação para nosso direito).  Algumas cláusulas de notificação prevêem a quem será endereçada, o cuidado que se tem de ter é com a utilização de meios de comunicação que não comprovem o conteúdo.  Ex.:  o fax, tem de ser confirmado pela empresa que o recebeu, inclusive quanto ao conteúdo, para que possa ter validade. 

Abaixo, cláusula que permitem o envio por email com aviso de recebimento fac-símile outros meios, com indicação de  quem deverá ser o destinatário da  notificação.

Ex.

NOTICE BOILERPLATE CLAUSE

“Notice. Any notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be delivered (a) in person, (b) by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (c) by facsimile, or (d) by a commercial overnight courier that guarantees next day delivery and provides a receipt, and such notices shall be addressed as follows:

or to such other address as either party may from time to time specify in writing to the other party. Any notice shall be effective only upon delivery, which for any notice given by facsimile shall mean notice that has been received by the party to whom it is sent as evidenced by confirmation slip.

Set Off (compensação) esta cláusula diz se  uma das partes poderá, ou não, compensar dinheiro devido pela outra parte, das obrigações contratuais que tiver de pagar.  Se for permitido, diz-se SET-OFF PERMITTED, se for vedado, diz-se SET-OFF  EXCLUDED.

Normalmente é cláusula de “não compensação”.

Esta cláusula é bem comum em negócios onde as partes contratantes tem diferentes projetos em curso, regulados por vários contratos.  O atraso no cumprimento de uma obrigação de determinado contrato, tendo em vista que as partes são as mesmas, poderia ensejar  “crédito” a ser compensado em favor da parte que sofreu a lesão.  Com a cláusula de SET OFF (excluded), não é possível a compensação de créditos referentes a um contrato, com débitos entre as mesmas partes, referente a outro.

Nos contratos de locação (Tenancy Agreement), v.g., há o depósito garantidor do pagamento do cumprimento das obrigações contratuais o qual somente é devolvido ao término da locação, e, normalmente, há cláusula SET-OFF vedando seja utilizado para outro fim, quer pelo locatário (para compensar algum aluguel não pago);  quer pelo locador, quanto a algum débito do locatário, oriundo de  obrigações outras que não as assumidas no contrato de locação.

SET-OFF PERMITTED

(A boilerplate clause permitting parties to a contract to set off liabilities against each other. FONTE: http://www.practicallaw.com/9-107-3802?q=*&qp=&qo=&qe=)

Abaixo, não só uma “clausula set-off permitted”, mas um acordo completo SET-OFF AGREEMENT, com recital, whereas e NOW THEREFORE:

EX.: SET-OFF PERMITTED

SET-OFF AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT

made as of [Date of Agreement (ie. July 1, 2002)] between

[Name of 1stParty]

(“Party 1”) of [Address of Party 1] and

[Name of 2nd Party]

(“Party 2”) of [Address of Party 2].

WHEREAS

:(A)Pursuant to a [Agreement creating Indebtedness owing by Party 1 to Party 2 (ie. Share Purchase Agreement dated April 12, 2002 between Party 1 as Buyer and Party 2 as Seller)] Party 1 became indebted to Party 2 in the original amount of [Original Indebtedness of Party 1 to Party 2] (the “Party 1 Indebtedness”);(B)As of the date hereof, the aggregate amount of the Party 1 Indebtedness is [Aggregate Amount of Party 1 Indebtedness as of the Date of this Agreement (ie. $25,000.00)];(C)Pursuant to a [Agreement creating Indebtedness owing by Party 2 to Party 1 (ie. Promissory Note from Party 2 to Party 1 in the amount of [______________] dated May18, 2002)] Party 2 became indebted to Party 1 in the original amount of [Original Indebtedness of Party 2 to Party 1] (the “Party 2 Indebtedness”);(D)As of the date hereof, the aggregate amount of the Party 2 Indebtedness is [Aggregate Amount of Party 2 Indebtedness as of the Date of this Agreement (ie. $18,000.00)];(E)The parties hereto wish to set-off the full amount of the Party 1 Indebtedness against the Party 2 Indebtedness, to the fullest extent possible;

NOW THEREFORE

in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1.The parties acknowledge and agree that the recitals above are true and correct in all material respects.

2.The parties hereby set-off the full amount of the Party 1 Indebtedness against the Party 2 Indebtedness, to the fullest extent possible. (ESTA É A CLÁUSULA QUE PERMITE A COMPENSAÇÃO)

3.The difference of [Difference between Party 1 Indebtedness and Party 2 Indebtednes (ie.$7,000)] shall be paid by Party 1 to Party 2 by cash or certified check concurrently with the execution of this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF

the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first writtenabove.

Witness

[NAME OF PARTY 1]

Witness

[NAME OF PARTY 2]

SET-OFF EXCLUDED

(A boilerplate clause preventing one or both parties to a contract from setting off liabilities against each other, or deducting or withholding payments. (fonte: http://www.practicallaw.com/7-107-3803?q=*&qp=&qo=&qe=)

SET-OFF EXCLUDED

Tenancy Agreement

“The Deposit shall not be used by the Tenant to set-off any rent payable under this Agreement.

Severability or Severance and Invalidity  (Separação e Invalidade) esta cláusula afirma que se for removida ou desconsiderada qualquer cláusula do contrato, declarada nula ou ilegal, o restante do contrato, desde que não tenha sido afetado em sua essência, será válido e eficaz e terá de ser cumprido pelas partes.

Ex.:

 SEVERABILITY BOILERPLATE CLAUSE

“If any provision of this Agreement is found invalid, void or unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible and the other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect.”

Termination (término) está cláusula dispõe como o contrato será dissolvido (pelo termo ad quem, por culpa das partes, por acordo entre as partes etc.).

Normalmente, a cláusula de dissolução do contrato (termination) prevê os casos em que haverá dissolução sem culpa e sem pagamento de indenização e os quem isso não ocorre.

Ex.:

TERMINATION BOILERPLATE CLAUSE

Either party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement, prior to the expiration of the term (or any renewal term) hereof, upon the occurrence of any of the following cases:

(a) Breach or default by the other of any of the terms, obligations, covenants, representations of warranties under this Agreement which is not waived in writing by the non-defaulting party. In such case, the non-defaulting party shall notify the other of such alleged breach or default and the other party shall have a period of thirty (30) days to cure the same; or

(b) If the other party is declared insolvent or bankrupt, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or a receiver is appointed or any proceeding is demanded by, for or against the other under any provision of the Federal Bankruptcy Act or any amendment thereof.

(c) Giving  a Party, at any time for any reason,  at least thirty (30) days notice in writing to the Other Party about termination. In this case,  termination shall not be deemed a breach of contract.

TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE  e TERMINATION FOR CAUSE

A dissolução unilateral do contrato, resilição no Direito Brasileiro, é chamada de termination for convenience em inglês e é a  dissolução sem culpa e sem responsabilidade financeira pela parte distratante;  já a termination for cause seria o equivalente à rescisão no Direito Brasileiro, ou seja, dissolução por culpa de uma das partes. 

TERMINATION FOR CAUSE

Quando houver motivo para dissolução do contrato por culpa de uma das partes, termination for cause, a outra parte deverá ser intimada para sanar a lesão ao contrato em prazo contratado, sob pena de ser rescindido.  Somente no caso de não atendimento pela parte infratora da notificação feita é que  o contrato será dissolvido.

Termination for cause is a contract provision that permits a party completely or partially terminate performance of the contract for material breach or other stated causes.

When there is a “for cause” event, the contract usually requires that the party give the other party notice that adequately identifies the reasons for the alleged “for cause” event, and provides a period of time for the other party to cure the problem(s). Only if that party fails to rectify the problem(s) within the prescribed cure period does the affected party have the right to terminate the agreement. (http://itlaw.wikia.com/wiki/Termination_for_cause)

EX.:

TERMINATION FOR CAUSE BOILERPLATE CLAUSE

Customer may terminate the whole or any part of this Agreement, by written notice of default to Vendor, in any one of the following circumstances:

(a) if Vendor fails to perform any duties or obligations within the time specified herein or any written extension thereof granted by Customer;

(b) if Vendor so fails to make progress as to endanger performance of this Agreement in accordance with its terms;

(c) if Vendor fails to comply with any of the material terms and conditions of this Agreement. Such termination shall become effective if Vendor does not cure such failure within a period of ten (10) days after written notice of default by Customer;

(d) If the other party is declared insolvent or bankrupt, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or a receiver is appointed or any proceeding is demanded by, for or against the other under any provision of the Federal Bankruptcy Act or any amendment thereof.

Upon termination, Customer may procure, upon such terms as it shall deem appropriate, services similar to those so terminated. Vendor shall continue performance of this Agreement to the extent not terminated.

TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE

“A termination for convenience provisions in a contract allows one party to the contract to terminate the agreement, even in the absence of the other party’s fault or breach, and without suffering the usual financial consequences of a breach of contract.” (http://itlaw.wikia.com/wiki/Termination_for_convenience)

EX.: TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE

BOILERPLATE CLAUSE

[Party] may terminate this contract at any time for any reason by giving at least thirty (30) days notice in writing to the [Other Party]. Such termination shall not be deemed a breach of contract. [Party] agrees to pay the [Other Party] for all unpaid invoices and uncompensated staff time and expenses up to the date of termination.

Venue (foro), esta cláusula dispõe qual será o foro eleito para decidir as questões relativas ao contrato ou que deste surgirem.  Não se trata da cláusula que define a legislação aplicável, mas sim do local onde o litígio será dirimido.  Esta cláusula previne as partes de terem contra si ação em local indesejado.

EX.:

VENUE BOILERPLATE CLAUSE

“The court and authorities of the State of São Paulo shall have jurisdiction over all controversies that may arise with respect to this Agreement, the parties hereby waiving any other venue to which they might be entitled by virtue of domicile or otherwise. Should either party initiate or bring a suit or action before any other courts, it is agreed that upon application any such suit or action shall be dismissed, without prejudice, and may be filed in accordance with this provision. The party bringing the suit or action before a court not agreed to herein shall pay to the other party all the costs of seeking dismissal including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

No waiver, or  Waiver of the breach (não novação, não renúncia à qualquer direito proveniente de lesão do contrato) é a cláusula que diz não haver renúncia de qualquer das partes ao direito oriundo de lesão a qualquer cláusula do contrato, mesmo que, por ação ou omissão anterior, a parte ofendida tenha deixado de exercer o mesmo direito.

Ex.:

WAIVER OF THE BREACH BOILERPLATE CLAUSE

I – “No waiver by either party of any breach of any term or provision of this Agreement will be construed as a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach of the same or any other term or provision.”

Ou

II – “No waiver of any term, provision or condition of this Agreement, the breach or default thereof, by conduct or otherwise, in one or more instances, shall be deemed to be either a continuing waiver or a waiver of a subsequent breach or default of any such term, provision or condition of this Agreement