结构特点
合同类法律文件用以规定当事人的权利与义务，是预防与解决争议的依据。合同英语行文慎密而准确，历史悠久，深含法律文化底蕴。
中文的合同开头一般先罗列当事人的名称、姓名、住所或营业场所，然后是合同正文，结尾是当事人印章、授权代表签字、职务及签字日期。而英语合同一般以下面这类句式为开头：
This agreement/contract is made and entered in to this ____ day of _____(month), _______ (year) by and between Party A (hereinafter called " Party A ")and Party B(hereinafter called " Party B ")
然后是开始陈述：
WHEREAS……THEREFORE
… It is hereby agreed as follows:
或以：
WITNESSETH, WHEREAS…
NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:
接着是正文，最后是证明部分，：
IN WITNESS WHEREOF，the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands the day and years first above written.
随后还包括当事人和见证人的签字。签字日期一般在英文合同最搬弄是非是找不到的。
下面列出新加坡、美国、香港和日本的合同格式。
A. 新加坡
Agreement
THIS AGREEMENT is made the 9th day of August, 2001 between LUCKY INTERNATIONAL LTD, a company incorporated in Singapore and having its registered office at Telek Blongar Rise, Singapore 19569 (hereinfater called "The Company") of the part and JACK Wong (NRIC No._________ /A) of 108 Orchar Road, Singapore 01688 (hereinfater called "The Mangager") of the other part.
WHEREAS:
1. The company is engaged in IT business and requires a person with the necessary qualifications and experience to manage its business.
2.
….
NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:
1. The company shall employ the Manager and the Manager shall serve the Company as manager of the Company's IT business for a period of two years commencing on 1st day of September
2.
….
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hand the day and year first above written.
THE SCHEDULE ABOVE REFERRED TO
Duties of Manger
1. To manage, maintain and promote the business of the Company.
SIGNED by Roger Tan
For and on behalf of LUCKY INTERANTIONAL LTD
In the presence of
SIGNED by TERESA WONG
In the presence of
新加坡的通用合同分五部分：
第一部分：称为parties，主要介绍合同各方的姓名或名称，注册地国及地址、邮编及各自在合同的简称。开头框架一般为：
THIS AGREEMENT is made the ——__________ day of _____ （month）,____ (year) between A _______ (hereinafter called "The Company") of the part and B______, (hereinafter called "The Manager") of the other part.
句子开头THIS AGREEMENT 或CONTRACT和当事人的姓名和名称，都应大写。当事人是自然人的，用“of”和其后的住址相连；是法人或非法人单位的，用“having its registered office at”和其后注册地址相连。
第二部分：称为recital。以WHEREAS开头，进入叙述部分，用陈述正式说明当事人订立合同的原因。
第三部分：称为habendum 具体约定当事人的权利和义务。正文部分的结束段为：
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hand the day and year first above written.
这段作用相当于中文合同的“双方签字盖章，特此为证”。
第四部分：称为schedule或addendum，附录。是对前述合同部分条款的必要补充。不是所有合同都有这一项。
第五部分：称为attestation，证明部分。当事人如果自然人，用“SIGNED by __”
；连接后填写见证姓名的表达部分“In the presence of ____”；当事人是法人或非法人单位时，授权代表后接的是“SIGNED for and on behalf _____ of____”，然后才是In the presence of _______。与中文合同的显着不同是签章处除当事人外，多了一个In the presence of _______供证人签字之处。另一不同的是合同订立日期没有放在合同最后，而是出现在开头段的当事人介绍部分。
第五部分在新加坡还有另一种表达
As Witness our Hands this _____day of _____，in the year of our Lord Tow Thousand and One.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the above named
In the presence of
Signature
Address
Occupation
上述合同的格式很有代表性，其它英文格式与之相比大同大异，有的合同中不含附录。 [NextPage]
B. 美国
APPOINTMENT AS CONTRACT FULL-TIME SENIOR CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATOR
AN AGREEMENT FOR SERVICES made the 1st day of September, 2000 between ______ of _____ (address)(hereinafter referred to as "the Company") as one part and Mr._______ of _______(address) (hereinafter referred to as the Contractor) of the other part.
WHEREBY IT IS AGREED AND DECLARED AS FOLLOWS:
1. THAT the Company shall …
2. This agreement shall commence on ….
3.
4.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, both parties set their hands on the date herein mentioned
SIGNED BY
Name :
Designation :
For and on behalf of : (signature)
Contractor :
Designation :
For and on behalf of : (signature)
本合同分为四个大部分（缺附录，schedule）。与上一合同基本相同，但第一段没有谓语，不是个完整的句子。个别用词与前一合同有差别。最后落款处还多了了“职务”，即designation(有的合同还惯用position).
C. 香港
CONTRACT
CONTACT NO.
SIGNING DATE/PLACE
THE BUYER: Name
Legal Address
Contact
THE SELLER: Name
Legal Address
Contact
This contract is made by and between the Buyer and the Seller. Whereby the Buyer agrees o buy and the Seller agrees to sell the under-mentioned commodity according to the terms and conditions.
1. NAME OF COMMODITY AND SCOPE OF THE CONTRACT
2. PRICE
3. PAYMENT
4. PACKING
5.
IN WITHNESS WHEREOF, this contract has been executed effective as of the date first above written.
THE BUYER THE SELLER
___________ ___________
By:__________ By:__________
Date:——_________ Date:——_________
THE END USER
___________
By: __________
Date: ——____-_________
比起前两个合同，该买卖合同的不同之处于在于，合同开头出现了合同编号和签署日期，当事人名称或姓名采用简单列举式。证明部分用完成时被动态，最后落款处SIGNED BY项目，但增加了最终用户一项。
