clause impulsive et déterminante

09:19 Apr 7, 2017
French to English translations [PRO]
Law/Patents - Law: Contract(s)
French term or phrase: clause impulsive et déterminante
I'm translating some terms of sale for a French client who is expecting some international sales (particularly in the US), and have come across a term that I haven't seen before, though it does seem fairly common in French. I've looked through some English-language contracts, but they don't seem to include anything along these lines:

"La nullité d’une clause contractuelle n’entraîne pas la nullité des Conditions Générales, sauf s’il s’agit d’une *clause impulsive et déterminante* ayant amené l’une des Parties à conclure le Contrat de vente."

Similar kudoz entries mention driving, motivating, inducive (or inductive), but not sure which fits best and how to phrase it. "motivating and determining/determinant clause?" Something else entirely?

Would appreciate any suggestions from those of you fluent in legalese.

Thanks!
Diana Huet de Guerville
France
Local time: 23:17


Summary of answers provided
3essential and fundamental term/clause
AllegroTrans
3 -1compelling and decisive clause
B D Finch
Summary of reference entries provided
Start off by defining this
AllegroTrans
clause ou cause?
writeaway

Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): -1
compelling and decisive clause


Explanation:
I understand "impulsive" here as meaning pushing the party to act, i.e. being impelled, not the other meaning: acting on impulse and without adequate consideration.

Though I haven't found an English original of the exact phrase proposed above, I have found it as an apparent translation into English of the French source term. I do think "compelling and decisive" translates the meaning of "impulsive et déterminante".

www.lecoursdecole.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Terms-and-...
applicable to the provision by Le Cours d'Ecole of services to Students. ... Conditions, except nullity of a compelling and decisive clause having led one of the.

www.dipublico.org › CasesAccording to this provision, whenever one of the parties does not appear before ..... only if the grammatical arguments were compelling and decisive would the ...

B D Finch
France
Local time: 23:17
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 369

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  writeaway: compelling and decisive clause shows up once on Google. Not 100% sure that compelling is the right translation of impulsif
10 mins
  -> I did mention the lack of ghits and only rated it as 3/5 confidence. Possibly, should have been 2/5.

disagree  AllegroTrans: Sorry BD, but this is not English contract language
1 hr
  -> I understand this phrase as being used in an argument, not as an official name for a particular clause. The clause would be judged "impulsive et déterminante" if it had led one of the Parties "à conclure le Contrat de vente".
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1 day 12 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
essential and fundamental term/clause


Explanation:
Terms and Conditions - Countryside
https://www.countryside-properties.com/.../purchasing-terms-...
27.1 It is an essential and fundamental term of each order that You make delivery of Goods ('Delivery') by the time stated in the order for the Goods (the 'Goods.
[DOC]Framework Agreement for the Purchase of ... - DB Schenker Logistics UK
https://www.dbschenker.co.uk/file/log-uk-en/.../Agreementfor...
1.1 It is an essential and fundamental term of this Agreement that the Supplier makes delivery of Goods to the premises specified in the Order (“Delivery”) by the ...

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essential = going to the "essence" of the contract

fundamental: A fundamental breach of a contract, sometimes known as a repudiatory breach, is a breach so fundamental that it permits the distressed party to terminate performance of the contract, in addition to entitling that party to sue for damages.

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Judgment No. 1514 (Extracts) - ILO
www.ilo.org/dyn/triblex/triblexmain.detail?p_lang=en&p...
10 Nov 2014 - ... officials may allege breach of an acquired right when there is impairment of an essential and fundamental term of conditions of employment; ...
Keywords - ILO Administrative Tribunal
www.ilo.org/dyn/triblex/triblexmain.showList?p_lang=en&p......
only when an amendment to earlier provisions has altered some essential and fundamental term of appointment will there be breach of an acquired right." ...
Cumulative decisions (8 references) - ILO Administrative Tribunal
www.ilo.org/dyn/triblex/triblexmain.showList?p_lang=en&p_ke...
... "the case law is that international officials may allege breach of an acquired right when there is impairment of an essential and fundamental term of conditions ...

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essential term (of a contract) - Legal English Dictionary - TransLegal
https://www.translegal.com/legal-english-dictionary/essentia...
a provision required for a contract to exist. The client must give informed consent in writing to both the essential terms of the transaction and the lawyer's role in it.

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Essential | Define Essential at Dictionary.com
www.dictionary.com/browse/essential
Meaning "pertaining to essence" is from late 14c., that of "constituting the essence of something" is from 1540s; that of "necessary" is from 1520s. ... Constituting or being part of the essence of something; inherent. Basic or indispensable; necessary.
‎Essential element · ‎Essential amino acid · ‎Essential fatty acid · ‎Essential fructosuria

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https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/1-107-6625?__lrTS...

Fundamental term
There was at one time support for the view that, in addition to conditions, innominate terms and warranties, a fourth category of contract term existed, namely, a "fundamental term". A fundamental term was one which was deemed to form the "core" of the contract. It was also asserted that performance of a fundamental term could not, unlike other contract terms, be avoided by means of an exemption clause. However, the House of Lords have indicated that they consider "fundamental term" to be a synonym for "condition". The general view now is that there is no legal basis for a separate category of "fundamental terms".

AllegroTrans
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:17
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 527
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, this seem logical...

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Reference comments


1 hr peer agreement (net): +1
Reference: Start off by defining this

Reference information:
Here is an explanation of an "obligation essentielle" in a contract:

PREMIERE PARTIE
LA DETERMINATION DE L'OBLIGATION ESSENTIELLE

Déterminer l'obligation essentielle conduit tout d'abord définir la notion de façon concise et précise. Cela peut se révéler une tâche très difficile car aucune définition n'a été vraiment donnée à la notion, du moins en droit des contrats. Ni la doctrine, ni la jurisprudence ne se sont employées à donner une définition précise à cette notion qui apparaît de plus en plus incontournable en droit des contrats.

Toutefois, à travers les fondements juridiques que la Cour de cassation a développé au sujet de la notion à l'occasion d'arrêts qui y sont relatifs plus ou moins, on peut déduire une certaine définition. C'est ce raisonnement qu'a suivi le Professeur DELEBECQUE pour proposer la tentative de définition suivante : «L'obligation fondamentale ne peut être définie dans l'absolu, il convient de dégager des critères permettant de déterminer très efficacement la notion. Les parties font ce qu'elles peuvent dans un contrat, mais seulement jusqu'à un certain point ; le point à partir duquel l'engagement est vidé de toute substance, tel étant le cas lorsque le créancier ne peut en obtenir l'exécution. » Cette analyse, bien que rendant compte de la notion, n'en donne pas pour autant une définition claire. Elle souligne par conséquent de tout le problème de définition de la notion. En dépit de cette difficulté, nous pouvons retenir que l'obligation essentielle est l'obligation déterminante du contrat. Celle sans laquelle celui-ci manquerait inéluctablement, soit de cause, soit d'objet, soit serait tout simplement entaché de potestavité.

Donc au titre de cette première partie, tous nos efforts seront consacrés à définir le mieux possible la notion d'obligation essentielle. Pour ce faire, nous nous appliquerons à dégager des critères permettant de déterminer très efficacement la notion (chapitre I).

En second lieu nous nous attarderons sur les fondements que les tribunaux arrogent à l'obligation essentielle(chapitre II).
CHAPITRE PREMIER
LES CRITERES DE LA DETERMINATION

Dans son étude sur l'obligation fondamentale intitulée «L'obligation et la sanction : à la recherche d'une définition de l'obligation fondamentale », M. JESTAZ fait la distinction entre l'obligation fondamentale par nature et l'obligation fondamentale par la volonté des parties. Cela implique l'existence de deux critères, à savoir objectif et subjectif peuvent également s'appliquer. Mais à la différence de l'étude de M. JESTAZ, nous pousserons plus loin la réflexion en ce sens que nous rechercherons lequel de ces deux critères sied le plus à la notion. Aussi, nous nous interrogerons si le ou les critère(s) retenu(s) procure(nt) à la notion une certaine autonomie. Autonomie grâce à laquelle on pourrait comparer la notion d'obligation essentielle avec des notions voisines.

En somme, ce chapitre sur les critères de la détermination de l'obligation essentielle nous impose une réflexion en deux temps. Tout d'abord nous présenterons lesdits critères (Section I) et après nous procéderons à la comparaison de la notions avec des concepts voisins (Section II).
SECTION I : OBJECTIVISME OU SUBJECTIVISME ?

Pour déterminer ou désigner l'obligation essentielle, deux critères peuvent être retenus : le critère objectif et le critère subjectif. Le premier correspond à la désignation de l'obligation essentielle par nature tandis que le second implique la désignation de cette même obligation par la volonté des parties.

Pour mieux rendre compte de ces deux critères nous allons les présenter dans un exposé (paragraphe1), puis nous les analyserons afin de savoir s'il y a primauté ou complémentarité entre eux (paragraphe 2).

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http://www.memoireonline.com/04/08/1031/m_l-obligation-essen...

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Further reading:

A fundamental breach of a contract, sometimes known as a repudiatory breach, is a breach so fundamental that it permits the distressed party to terminate performance of the contract, in addition to entitling that party to sue for damages.
Fundamental breach - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_breach


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Three types of term



Contractual terms are defined as conditions, warranties or innominate terms.



This may be specified in the contract, implied by the nature of it, or implied by law. For example, the Sale of Goods Act 1979 provides that a seller's title to goods and their quality and fitness for purpose are conditions in a business-to-consumer contract.



A condition is a term that, if breached, gives the aggrieved party the right either to terminate the contract or affirm it. In addition, the aggrieved party can also claim damages.



A warranty is a term that, if breached, does not give the aggrieved party the right to terminate the contract; it gives rise only to a right to claim damages.



A condition is a fundamental term and goes to the heart of a contract. A statement or assurance about a factual matter would usually be a warranty. The 'opera singer' cases of Poussard v Spiers (1875) L.R. 1 QBD 410 and Bettini v Gye (1875) L.R. 1 QBD 183 provide examples of the distinction: in the former, a singer's obligation to sing on the first night of a three-month series of concerts was held to be a condition; in the latter, the singer's obligation to attend rehearsals was a warranty.



In between, there are innominate terms, where the remedy for breach will depend on the effect of that breach at the time it happens. If there is a substantial effect on the aggrieved party, it will be likely a fundamental term and give the right to that party to terminate the contract (and claim damages). If not, that party may only claim damages.



Express terms or representations?



Not all statements made by the parties during negotiations are intended to have contractual force. Some are only representations, meaning they are intended to induce the other party to enter into the contract, but not to be capable of imposing liability for breach of contract.



The distinction is important: if a statement is a term, as stated above a breach will give rise to contractual liability and damages; if it is a representation, liability will only be for misrepresentation. The latter raises a key battle ground: for misrepresentation to be claimed, it must be shown that the aggrieved party relied on the statement.



Whether a statement is a term or representation will depend the parties' intentions and therefore a variety of factors, such as the period of time between the statement being made and contract being formed; the importance of the statement; whether the statement is written into the contract; and whether one or both parties possesses the skill and knowledge to determine if the statement is true.



Implied terms



Terms may be implied by a number of methods:



Usage or custom relating to a particular place or trade, provided that there is nothing contrary in the contract.
Previous course of dealings, in which case a court may imply certain terms which have been regularly and consistently used before between the parties, provided there was a reasonable expectation that the term would apply again and there is no contrary term in the contract.
Intention of the parties where, for example, there is a gap in the contract and it is apparent that the parties must have intended that term to form part of the contract. A court would consider the position from a reasonable person's understanding of the intentions and the background at the time of the contract, i.e. if it gives business efficacy to the contract and causes the reasonable person to think, "oh, of course" that term should be present.
Law, for example, those implied by the Sale of Goods Act 1979 or Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 in respect of the quality and fitness of goods and services provided to consumers and the skill and care used in the provision of services to consumers. Another example is the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, which creates an implied interest clause in business-to-business contracts for the supply of goods or services, allowing a creditor to claim interest at 8% over base rate.



Next month, we shall consider a specific type of contractual term in more detail, exclusion clauses, and discuss the extent to which liability can (or cannot) be excluded or limited.

Whether you are putting together a set of terms and conditions for clients, suppliers, for website use or a contract for a specific transaction or relationship, Fortune Law has the necessary expertise to advise and assist you with all aspects of Contract Law. Please get in touch by telephone on020 7440 2540 or by e-mail at [email protected].

AllegroTrans
United Kingdom
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 527
Note to reference poster
Asker: This is interesting and very helpful, but not sure what you mean by "start of by defining this". Also, are "obligation essentielle" and "clause déterminante" the same thing? What about previous translations in kudoz as "determining/ant clauses"?


Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
agree  writeaway: yup. this is where/how to start
10 mins
  -> thnak you
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1 hr
Reference: clause ou cause?

Reference information:
Cause du contrat

Dans ce second sens, la cause c’est la cause du contrat, c’est à dire la cause impulsive et déterminante ou autrement dit les motifs principaux et déterminants qui font que le contrat a été conclu dans les conditions dans lesquelles il a été établi.
http://lawperationnel.com/cause

writeaway
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 375
Note to reference poster
Asker: Sorry didn't reply sooner, was a away for a few days. It's definitely clause!


Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
neutral  ph-b (X): It could be a typo but lots of occurrences of clause i et d in French general terms and conditions./Re: 'lot more hits than', there are times when I'm not a great fan of democracy :-) and agree with B D Finch below.
33 mins
  -> yes. could be a typo. cause gets a lot more hits than clause/I don't like the ghit cry either but it can be an indicator. this also fits the context imo
neutral  B D Finch: It refers back to "La nullité d’une clause contractuelle" and it is a very common term in French, so unlikely to be a typo for "cause".
42 mins
neutral  AllegroTrans: definitely "clause" and rather obvious in the context
1 hr
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