Contract Drafting Structure

Complete SKILL.md

The source below preserves the structure used in the installable package.

---
name: contract-drafting-structure
description: Use this skill when organizing contract structure or drafting specific sections. Covers the Three-Point-One-Line method for logical arrangement, complex contract set decomposition, header/title/recitals standards, and guidelines for common contract clauses. Apply when drafting new contracts, reviewing contract structure, or handling multi-document transactions.
---

# Contract Drafting Structure

## Three-Point-One-Line Method

### Core Structure
Divide the contract into three main parts arranged in sequence:
1. **Header** (首部)
2. **Transaction Clauses** (交易条款)
3. **Supporting Clauses** (配套条款)

### The Three Points
- **Header Core**: Contract Parties (合同主体)
- **Transaction Core**: Subject (标的) + Price (价款)
- **Supporting Core**: Breach of Contract Liability (违约责任)

### Detailed Clause Arrangement

**Header:**
- Title
- Parties
- Introduction (Recitals)

**Transaction:**
- Definitions (optional)
- Subject
- Price
- Transaction Requirements (Quality/Process)
- Auxiliary Rights/Obligations (IP, Confidentiality, Termination conditions)

**Supporting:**
- Breach Liability
- Common Supporting Clauses (Force Majeure, Interpretation)
- Dispute Resolution
- Applicable Law (if foreign)
- Contact Info
- Supplementary Provisions (Copies, Attachments, Effectiveness)

### For Complex Contracts
Add 'Part N' section headers (e.g., Part 1 Definitions, Part 6 Other Agreements) to improve readability.

---

## Complex Set Contract Structure

### When to Use
- Transaction involves multiple documents
- Contract length is excessive
- Transaction involves multiple stages/subjects

### Decomposition Strategy
Break down complex content into a modular structure (e.g., 5x5x5) to manage capacity and clarity.

### Stage Classification
- **Pre-transaction Texts**: LOIs, reservation contracts, NDAs
- **Formal Transaction Texts**: The core focus for complex set contracts
- **Performance Documents**: Documents signed during execution (unless they restructure the transaction)

### Layer 1: Main Contract + Ancillary Agreements

**Main Transaction Contract:**
- Must describe the core rights/obligations (especially payment/benefit distribution)
- Must cover the whole transaction overview (use "Transaction Purpose" or "Transaction Mode" clauses)
- Reference ancillary agreements without repeating specific rights/obligations

**Ancillary Agreements (Special Agreements):**
- Cover specific aspects (e.g., Security, Safety, Anti-bribery, Guarantee)
- Common Standard Templates:
  - NDA/Confidentiality Commitment
  - Anti-commercial Bribery (Integrity Cooperation)
  - Safety Production Agreement
  - Security Contracts (Guarantee, Mortgage, Pledge)

### Layer 2: Contract + Attachments

**Attachment Types:**
- Lists (Subject matter, materials, price lists)
- Specific Plans (Service content, technical requirements)
- Orders (Order templates)
- Supporting Systems (Rules, regulations for management relationships)
- Commitments/Declarations/Authorizations

**Drafting Points for Attachments:**
- Determine if it should be an attachment (legal nature check)
- Implement content as rights/obligations ("Who + Right/Obligation")
- **Signing**: Single-party responsibility = single sign; Multi-party responsibility = multi-sign (or cross-page seal)
- **Clauses**: Omit jurisdiction, applicable law, contact info (follow main contract)
- **Conflict Resolution**: Either no specific rule (specific > general) or stipulate "Attachment prevails"

### Coordination Guidelines
- **Reference**: Main contract cites ancillary agreements; avoid duplication
- **Conflict Handling**: Stipulate "Specific/Special agreement prevails" (Lex specialis)
- **Binding Terms**: Duration/termination conditions in ancillary agreements should generally be "bound" to the Main Contract
  - Exception: Security contracts (do not terminate with main contract); NDAs (often survive termination)
- **Dispute Resolution**: Main contract governs; ancillary agreements should reference the Main Contract's jurisdiction

---

## Header, Title, and Recitals Standards

### Header Style Selection

**Option A: Chinese Style** (Recommended for non-foreign contracts)
- Title: Centered, large font
- Parties: Name + Credit Code/ID (Simple); + Contact Info (Detailed); + Bank Info (Very Detailed)
- Recitals: Optional (Start with 'Whereas')
- Intro: 'Parties consulted equally and voluntarily... to sign this contract.'

**Option B: English Style** (Recommended for foreign-related contracts)
- Title: Centered, large font
- Parties: Detailed format including date, location, legal status, address, and defined terms
- Recitals: Optional
- Intro: 'In consideration of the premises... parties agree as follows:'

### Footer Structure
- Sequence: Transaction Terms -> Supporting Terms -> General Provisions -> 'End of text' -> Signature Block
- Signature Block: Date, Party A Signature, Party B Signature
- Layout: Vertical (stacked) preferred over horizontal (side-by-side)
- Attachments: Start on a new page

### Contract Title Rules

**Structure:** [Prefix (Optional)] + [Type Name] + [Nature]

**Nature Requirements:**
- Must be 'Contract' (合同) or 'Agreement' (协议)
- Prohibited: 'Letter of Intent', 'Memorandum', 'Meeting Minutes' unless non-binding
- Prohibited: 'Contract/Deed' (契约) in mainland China

**Naming Rules:**
- Use formal names from Civil Code or specific laws
- Prefix: Use subject/project/party info for specificity
- Mixed Types: Use composite name or main type
- **Substance over Form**: Do not use a named contract title if the substance differs
- **Avoid 'Agency'**: Unless it is a true agency relationship
- **Caution with 'Partnership Contract'**: Implies joint liability under Civil Code Art 973
- **Caution with 'Cooperation Contract'**: Risk of being treated as partnership contract
- **Supplements**: Use '[Original Name] Supplement Agreement' or 'Supplement to [Original Name]'

### Recitals (Whereas Clauses)

**Legal Status:** Efficacy is questionable/disputed in China. Treat as auxiliary/non-binding.

**Functions:**
- Explain contract purpose (auxiliary)
- Confirm background facts
- Basis for fraud claims if misstatements exist
- Disclosure of defects/attributes

**Drafting Rules:**
- DO NOT include specific rights/obligations (especially representations, conditions, purpose, subject matter details)
- Keep it brief. Only include if specific background context is needed
- Do not include definitions

### Intro Clause

**Structure:** [Legal Basis] + [Equality/Consultation] + [Subject Matter] + [Signing]

**Content:**
- Standard: 'Parties consulted equally and voluntarily, sign this contract.'
- Subject Matter: Keep concise

**Legal Basis:**
- Default: 'Civil Code' (民法典)
- Labor Contracts: Cite 'Labor Contract Law' (劳动合同法)
- Non-Labor: Avoid citing Labor Law
- Avoid citing specific laws if parties wish to avoid their application
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## Source Provenance

- Collection: `合同起草审查指南-三观四步法-第四版-2023-何力-常金光`
- Archive: `合同起草审查指南：三观四步法（第四版）2023 何力，常金光.pdf.zip`
- Source file: `../_sources/合同起草审查指南-三观四步法-第四版-2023-何力-常金光.md`
<!-- source-provenance:end -->