管制免责条款条例

目 录

条次

第Ⅰ部 导言

1．简称

2．释义及适用范围

3．“合理标准”的验证

4．“以消费者身份交易”

5．各类免责条款

6．修订附表1及附表2的权力

第Ⅱ部 管制免责条款逃避因疏忽、违约等而引致的法律责任

7．疏忽的法律责任

8．合约引致的法律责任

9．不合理的弥偿损失条款因售卖或供应货品而引致的法律责任

10．消费货品的“保证”

11．卖方的法律责任

12．货品移转所根据的杂类合约关于合约的其他条文

13．违约对“合理标准”验证的影响

14．以第二份合约逃避法律责任

15．仲裁协议

第Ⅲ部 管制不适用于某些情况

16．国际供应合约

17．选择法律条文

18．其他有关法例的保留条文

19．适用范围

第Ⅳ部 相应及其他修订

20．（已略去）

附表1．第7、8、9及12条的适用范围

附表2．运用合理标准验证的“准则”

附表3．（已略去）

本条例对于可以藉着合约条款或其他方法而逃避民事法律责任（指因违约、疏忽或其他不履行责任的作为所引致的民事法律责任）的程度，加以限制；并对仲裁协议的可执行范围，加以局限。

〔1990年12月1日〕1990年第38号法律公告

第Ⅰ部 导言

1．简称

本条例可引称为《管制免责条款条例》。

2．释义及适用范围

（1）在本条例中——

“人身伤害”（ｐｅｒｓｏｎａｌ ｉｎｊｕｒｙ）包括疾病及任何肉体上或精神上的损伤；

“告示”（ｎｏｔｉｃｅ）包括以书面或并非以书面发出的公告，亦包括任何其他通知或称为通知者；

“货品”（ｇｏｏｄｓ）的意思，与《售卖货品条例》（第26章）所界定的相同；

“疏忽”（ｎｅｇｌｉｇｅｎｃｅ）指不履行——

（ａ）合约上明订条款或隐含条款所引致的法律义务，即在履行该合约时需要合理程度的谨慎或须运用合理水平的技术的法律义务；

（ｂ）需要合理程度的谨慎或须运用合理水平的技术的普通法责任（并不包括更为严格的责任）；

（ｃ）《占用人责任条例》（第314章）所施加的一般谨慎责任；

“业务”（ｂｕｓｉｎｅｓｓ）包括专业，亦包括公共机构、公共主管当局、由总督或政府委任的各类委员会或其他同类团体的事务。

（2）无论在合约法或侵权法方面，第7至12条（除已另作说明的第11（4）条外）只适用于业务性法律责任，即——

（ａ）因一个人在业务过程中（无论是他本人的或他人的业务）所做的事或没有做的事而引致的法律义务或责任没有履行时，所产生的法律责任；或

（ｂ）因占用人占用作业务用途的房产所引致的法律义务或责任没有履行时，所产生的法律责任，凡提述法律责任，须作如是解释；但房产占用人如对一名获准为康乐或教育目的而进入房产的人没有履行其法律义务或责任，（即进入的人因该房产不安全而遭受损失或损害，）除非准许该人为上述目的而进入房产是属于该房产占用人的业务范畴，否则因此引致的占用人法律责任不属于业务性法律责任。

（3）在不履行责任或法律义务方面来说，不论无意或有意，亦不论所产生的法律责任是直接引致的或因他人作为而引致的，并无分别。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓｓ．1及14Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

3．“合理标准”的验证

（1）在合约条款方面，只有在法庭或仲裁人在考虑及立约各方在立约时所知悉、预料或理应知悉或理应预料到的情况后，断定加入该条款是公平合理的，则就本条例及《失实陈述条例》（第284章）第4条来说，该合约条款才符合合理标准。

（2）为执行第11或12条而断定一项合约条款是否符合合理标准时，法庭或仲裁人须特别考虑附表2所列事项；但本款并不阻止法庭或仲裁人按照法律规则，判定一项看来是卸除或局限有关的法律责任的条款，实际并非合约条款。

（3）在告示方面（指没有合约效力的告示），只有在法庭或仲裁人在考虑及法律责任产生时或可能产生时（只因有该告示才没有产生）各方面的情况后，断定准予以该告示作为依据是属公平合理的做法，则就本条例来说，该告示才符合合理标准。

（4）在根据本条例或《失实陈述条例》（第284章）断定一项合约条款或告示是否符合合理标准时，在不影响第（2）款的情况下，法庭或仲裁人须特别考虑：试图以该条款或告示作为依据者的对方，是否明白该条款或告示所采用的语文，以及其明白的程度。

（5）凡任何人试图藉合约条款或告示，将其法律责任局限于指明的款额内，而根据本条例或《失实陈述条例》（第284章），需要断定该条款或告示是否符合合理标准时，在不影响第（2）或（4）款的情况下，法庭或仲裁人须特别考虑以下事项——

（ａ）该人可预计能动用的资源，以承担可能产生的法律责任；及

（ｂ）在保险方面该人能够受保的程度。

（6）任何人如声称合约条款或告示符合合理标准，须负责证明如是。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．11Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

4．“以消费者身分交易”

（1）在符合以下情况下，立约的一方与立约的另一方交易时，即属“以消费者身份交易”——

（ａ）他并非在业务过程中订立该合约，亦没有令人以为他在业务过程中立约的表现；

（ｂ）另一方是在业务过程中订立该合约；及

（ｃ）如合约受售卖货品的法律或第12条管限，根据该合约或依据该合约移转的货品，属于通常供应作私人使用或消费用途的类型。

（2）虽然第（1）款另有规定，但在拍卖或竞争性投标买卖中的买方，在任何情况下均不算作以消费者身分交易。

（3）任何人如声称立约的一方并非以消费者身分交易，须负责证明如是。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．12Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

5．各类免责条款

（1）本条例防止将法律责任卸除或局限，而在这范围内，本条例亦防止——

（ａ）法律责任本身或在执行法律责任方面受到有局限性或繁苛的条件所限；

（ｂ）免除或局限一个人与法律责任有关的权利或补救机会，或该人在争取该权利或补救机会时蒙受不利；

（ｃ）免除或局限证据规则或程序规则的运用，另（在上述范围内）第7、10、11及12条亦防止任何人藉着一些卸除或局限有关的法律义务或责任的条款或告示，而得以卸除或局限其法律责任。

（2）凡同意将目前或日后的分歧循仲裁方法处理的书面协议，不得根据本条例当作是卸除或局限法律责任的协议。

〔比照1977ｃ．50ｓ．13Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

6．修订附表1及附表2的权力

立法局可藉决议修订附表1及附表2。

第Ⅱ部 管制免责条款

逃避因疏忽、违约等而引致的法律责任

7．疏忽的法律责任

（1）任何人不得藉合约条款、一般告示或特别向某些人发出的告示，而卸除或局限自己因疏忽引致他人死亡或人身伤害的法律责任。

（2）至于其他损失或损害方面，任何人亦不得藉上述各项而卸除或局限自己因疏忽而引致的法律责任，但在该条款或告示符合合理标准的范围内，则不在此限。

（3）如合约条款或告示看来是用以卸除或局限因疏忽而引致的法律责任，则虽然某人同意或知道该条款或告示的存在，亦不得单凭这点认为该人表示自愿承担任何风险。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．2Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

8．合约引致的法律责任

（1）如立约一方以消费者身分交易，或按另一方的书面标准业务条款交易，则本条适用于处理立约各方之间的问题。

（2）对上述的立约一方，另一方不能藉合约条款而——

（ａ）在自己违反合约时，卸除或局限与违约有关的法律责任；或

（ｂ）声称有权——

（ｉ）在履行合约时，所履行的与理当期望他会履行的有颇大的分别；或

（ｉｉ）完全不履行其依约应承担的全部或部分法律义务，但在该合约条款（于本款上述的任何情况下）符合合理标准的范围内，则不在此限。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．3Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

9．不合理的弥偿损失条款

（1）以消费者身分交易的人，不须因合约条款而就别人（无论是否立约一方）因疏忽或违约所可能引致的法律责任，对该人作出弥偿，令他不受损失；但在该合约条款符合合理标准的范围内，则不在此限。

（2）无论有关的法律责任是——

（ａ）可获弥偿者直接引致的，或因别人作为引致而亦须由他承担的；

（ｂ）须向以消费者身分交易的人负的，或须向其他人负的，本条均适用。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．4Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

因售卖或供应货品而引致的法律责任

10．消费货品的“保证”

（1）如货品属于通常供应作私人使用或消费用途的类型，而有关的损失或损害是——

（ａ）由消费者使用时证实欠妥的货品所引致的；及

（ｂ）因制造或分发货品的有关人士疏忽引致的，则有关该项损失或损害的法律责任，不能藉合约条款、货品保证内所载的告示或藉提及货品保证而起作用的告示，予以卸除或局限。

（2）为上述目的——

（ａ）货品被人使用时，或被人管有以供使用时，即算作“由消费者使用”，但单纯作业务用途的则不在此列；及

（ｂ）任何文字，只要载有或看来载有某种承诺或担保（不论如何措辞或表达），说明会采用全部或部分换件方式，或以修理、金钱赔偿或其他方式，解决货品欠妥的问题，均属一项保证。

（3）如货品的管有权或所有权是根据或依据合约而移转的，则本条不适用于处理该合约的立约各方之间的问题。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．5Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

11．卖方的法律责任

（1）如法律责任是因不履行《售卖货品条例》（第26章）第14条订定的法律义务（即卖方对其拥有权的隐含保证等）而产生的，则不能藉合约条款而予以卸除或局限。

（2）凡对方以消费者身分交易，则法律责任如因不履行《售卖货品条例》（第26章）第15、16或17条订定的法律义务（即卖方保证货品与其说明或样本相符、保证其品质或适合作某种用途等的隐含保证）而产生，不能藉合约条款而予以卸除或局限。

（3）凡对方并非以消费者身分交易，则第（2）款所指明的法律责任可以藉合约条款予以卸除或局限，但只以该合约条款符合合理标准的范围为限。

（4）本条所指的法律责任除包括第2（2）条界定的业务性法律责任外，还包括因任何售卖货品合约引致的法律责任。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．6Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

12．货品移转所根据的杂类合约

（1）如货品的管有权或所有权根据或依据合约移转，而该合约不受售卖货品的法律管限，则第（2）至（4）款适用于法庭或仲裁人须给予该等卸除或局限法律责任的合约条款的效力方面（如有效的话），上述法律责任指因不履行该合约本质在法律上所隐含的法律义务而产生的法律责任。

（2）凡对方以消费者身分交易，则货品是否与说明或样本相符、是否适合作某种用途或货品的品质方面的法律责任，均不能藉上述合约条款而予以卸除或局限。

（3）凡对方并非以消费者身分交易，则该法律责任可以藉上述合约条款予以卸除或局限，但只以该合约条款符合合理标准的范围为限。

（4）如法律责任是关于——

（ａ）移转货品所有权或给予货品管有权的权利；或

（ｂ）向依据合约取得货品的人给予担保使能管有货品而不受干扰，则不能藉上述合约条款予以卸除或局限，但在该条款符合合理标准的范围内，则不在此限。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．7Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

关于合约的其他条文

13．违约对“合理标准”验证的影响

（1）如合约条款须符合合理标准才可作为依据，则纵使有关合约已经因违约而终止，或已由决定将该合约当作已废除的一方予以终止，该合约条款仍可断定为符合合理标准，并因此具有效力。

（2）遇有违约事件时，如有权将该合约当作已废除的一方仍肯定承认合约存在，则单凭这点并不使合约内任何条款无须符合合理标准。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．9Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

14．以第二份合约逃避法律责任

任何人根据合约或与履行合约有关而享有权利，只要该等权利与执行他人的法律责任有关，而根据本条例，该法律责任不得藉该合约卸除或局限，则无须受另一合约内损及或剥夺该等权利的条款缚束。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．10Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

15．仲裁协议

（1）凡对方以消费者身分交易，则任何同意将日后的分歧循仲裁方法处理的协议，一概不得执行，除非有以下情形，则属例外——

（ａ）在所要处理的分歧出现后获得他的书面同意；或

（ｂ）他本人曾依据协议采用仲裁方法处理任何分歧。

（2）第（1）款不影响——

（ａ）《仲裁条例》（第341章）第2（1）条所界定的国际仲裁协议的执行；（由1990年第76号第2条代替）

（ｂ）任何合约所产生的分歧的解决方法，只要该合约是凭藉附表1而无须受第7、8、9或12条所规限的。

第Ⅲ部 管制不适用于某些情况

16．国际供应合约

（1）本条例所订明一个人可藉合约条款卸除或局限法律责任的限度，并不适用于因国际供应合约而产生的法律责任。

（2）国际供应合约的条款，无须受第8或9条的符合合理标准条文规限。

（3）就本条来说，国际供应合约指符合以下情况的合约——

（ａ）属于售卖货品的，或属于货品管有权或所有权移转时所根据或依据的；

（ｂ）由业务地址（如无业务地址，则指其惯常住址）位于不同国家领域或位于香港和外地的立约人所订立；及

（ｃ）（ｉ）合约订立时，有关货品正在或将由一个国家的领域运载到另一个国家的领域，或由外地运入香港或由香港运往外地；或

（ｉｉ）构成要约及承约的作为，已分别在不同国家的领域进行，或分别在香港和外地进行；或

（ｉｉｉ）合约订明货品须送至某一国家的领域，而构成要约及承约的作为，是在另一个国家的领域内进行的；或

（ｉｖ）构成要约及承约的作为，是在香港进行的，而该合约订明货品须送往外地；或

（ｖ）构成要约及承约的作为，是在外地进行的，而该合约订明货品须送至香港。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．26Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

17．选择法律条文

（1）如合约只是因立约各方的选择才受香港的法律管限（如不作此选择便受其他国家的法律管限），第7至12条不得用作管限法律的一部分。

（2）纵有任何合约条款订明其他国家的法律适用，或看来是这样订明，但只要有以下一种或两种情况，本条例仍然有效——

（ａ）法庭或仲裁人认为该条款是完全或主要为了使订明条款的一方可逃避本条例的管制而订明的；或

（ｂ）立约时其中一方以消费者身分交易，而他当时惯常在香港居住，而且立约的主要程序，是由他本人或他的代表在香港进行。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．27Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

18．其他有关法例的保留条文

（1）本条例的任何条文，不得取消或局限以下合约条文的效力，或令其不能作为依据——

（ａ）由成文法则的明订条款，或因成文法则的必然含义准许或需要所引致的合约条文；或

（ｂ）为要符合一份适用于香港的国际性协议而订明的合约条文，而该合约条文运用起来，并不比该协议原意范围更为局限。

（2）合约条款如果是由具合法裁判权的主管当局在行使法定裁判权或职能时所订明或批准的，或是依据具合法裁判权的主管当局在行使法定裁判权或职能时所作出的决定或判决而订明的，而该具合法裁判权的主管当局并非有关合约的立约一方，则就本条例来说，该合约条款是符合合理标准的。

（3）在本条中——

“成文法则”（ｅｎａｃｔｍｅｎｔ）指任何条例或任何凭藉条例而有效的法律文件；

“具合法裁判权的主管当局”（ｃｏｍｐｅｔｅｎｔ ａｕ－ｔｈｏｒｉｔｙ）指任何法庭、仲裁人或公共机构；及

“法定”（ｓｔａｔｕｔｏｒｙ）指由成文法则所授予的。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．29Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

19．适用范围

本条例的任何条文，对于在本条例生效日期前所订立的合约，概不适用，但在符合这规定的情况下，则适用于本条例生效当日或之后所遭受的损失或损害而引致的法律责任。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50ｓ．31（2）Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

第Ⅳ部 相应及其他修订

20．（已失时效而略去第6、7、8、9、12及15条）

附表1

第7、8、9及12条的适用范围

1．第7、8、9条并不适用于——

（ａ）任何保险合约（包括缴付人寿年金的合约）；

（ｂ）任何合约中关于产生土地权益、移转土地权益、或终止该等权益（无论以消除、合并、放弃、没收或其他方式而终止）的部分；

（ｃ）任何合约中关于产生或移转在专利、商标、版权、注册式样设计、技术或商业情报或其他知识产权上的权利或权益的部分，或关于终止上述权利或权益的部分；

（ｄ）任何合约中关于以下事宜的部分——

（ｉ）公司（即任何法团或非法团组织，亦包括合伙经营）的成立或解散；或

（ｉｉ）公司的组成，或其法团成员或组织成员的权利或法律义务；

（ｅ）任何合约中关于产生或移转证券、证券权利或证券权益的部分；（由1992年第68号第20条修订）

（ｆ）任何合约中关于它所指明的人（该人须是《证券（结算所）条例》（第420章）第2条所指的参与者）的部分，包括——

（ｉ）上述合约所规定由该人订立的任何其他合约；及

（ｉｉ）关于该人作为参与者所作的业务的部分。（由1992年第68号第20条增补）

2．第7（1）条适用于——

（ａ）任何海滩救助合约或拖船合约；

（ｂ）任何船舶或气垫航行器的租约；及

（ｃ）任何订明以船舶或气垫航行器运载货品的合约，但第7（2）及（3）8、9及12条并不适用于上述合约，除非该等条文对于以消费者身分交易的人有利，则属例外。

3．凡货品依据合约由船舶或气垫航行器运载，而该合约——

（ａ）指明在部分路程采用该种运载工具；或

（ｂ）没有订明运载工具，亦无说明不得采用该种运载工具，则第7（2）、8及9条并不适用于合约中关于采用该种运载工具而运载货品的部分，除非该等条文对以消费者身分交易的人有利，则属例外。

4．第7（1）及（2）条并不适用于雇佣合约，除非该等条文对雇员有利，则属例外。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50Ｓｃｈ．1Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

〔第3（2）及6条〕

附表2

运用合理标准验证的“准则”

法庭或仲裁人为执行第11（3）、12（3）及（4）条而须特别考虑的，是以下任何一项看来有关的事宜——

（ａ）立约各方的相对议价能力，考虑的因素中，包括可以满足顾客要求的其他可行方法；

（ｂ）顾客是否由于某项诱因而同意有关条款，或接受该条款时有机会与他人订立同类合约而无须接受同类条款；

（ｃ）顾客是否知道或理应知道该条款的存在及其适用范围（考虑的因素中，包括有关行业的惯例，以及立约各方之间的以往交易情况）；

（ｄ）在该条款说明如不符合某项条件，有关法律责任可予卸除或局限的情况下，立约时是否理当估计到符合该项条件是实际可行的；

（ｅ）有关货品是否依顾客的特别指示而制造、加工或改装的。

〔比照1977 ｃ．50Ｓｃｈ．2Ｕ．Ｋ．〕

〔第20条〕

附表3 （已失效而略去）

CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES ORDINANCE

(CHAPTER 71)

CONTENTS

SectionPART I PRELIMINARY1. Short title2. Interpretation and application3. The "reasonableness" test4. "Dealing as consumer"5. Varieties of exemption clause6. Power to amend Schedules 1 and 2PART II CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSESAvoidance of liability for negligence, breach of contract, etc.7. Negligence liability8. Liability arising in contract9. Unreasonable indemnity clauses Liability arising from sale or supply ofgoods10. "Guarantee" of consumer goods11. Seller's liability12. Miscellaneous contracts under which goods pass Other provisions aboutcontracts13. Effect of breach on "reasonableness" test14. Evasion by means of secondary contract15. Arbitration agreementsPART III CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE CONTROL DOES NOT APPLY16. International supply contracts17. Choice of law clauses18. Saving for other relevant legislation19. ApplicationPART IV CONSEQUENTIAL AND OTHER AMENDMENTS20. (Omitted)Schedule 1. Scope of sections 7, 8, 9 and 12Schedule 2. "Guidelines" for application of reasonableness testSchedule 3. (Omitted)

Whole document

To limit the extent to which civil liability for breach of contract, orfor negligence or other breach of duty, can be avoided by means ofcontract terms and otherwise; and to restrict the enforceability ofarbitration agreements. [1 December 1990] L. N. 38 of 1990

PART I PRELIMINARY

1. Short titleThis Ordinance may be cited as the Control of Exemption Clauses Ordinance.2. Interpretation and application(1) In this Ordinance--"business" includes a profession and the activities of a public body, apublic authority, or a board, commission, committee or other bodyappointed by the Governor or Government;"goods" has the same meaning as in the Sale of Goods Ordinance (Cap. 26);"negligence" means the breach--(a) of any obligation, arising from the express or implied terms of acontract, to take reasonable care or exercise reasonable skill in theperformance of the contract;(b) of any common law duty to take reasonable care or exercise reasonableskill (but not any stricter duty);(c) of the common duty of care imposed by the Occupiers LiabilityOrdinance (Cap. 314); "notice" includes an announcement, whether or not inwrithing, and any other communication or pretended communication;"personal injury" includes any disease and any impairment of physical ormental condition.(2) In the case of both contract and tort, sections 7 to 12 apply (exceptwhere the contrary is stated in section 11 (4)) only to businessliability, that is liability for breach of obligations or duties arising--(a) from things done or omitted to be done by a person in the course of abusiness (whether his own business or another's); or(b) from the occupation of premises used for business purposes of theoccupier, and references to liability are to be read accordingly; butliability of an occupier of premises for breach of an obligation or dutytowards a person obtaining access to the premises for recreational oreducational purposes, being liability for loss or damage suffered byreason of the dangerous state of the premises, is not a business liabilityof the occupier unless granting that person such access for the purposesconcerned falls within the business purposes of the occupier.(3) In relation to any breach of duty or obligation, it is immaterialwhether the breach was inadvertent or intentional, or whether liabilityfor it arises directly or vicariously.[cf. 1977 c. 50 ss. 1

14 U. K.]3. The "reasonableness" test(1) In relation to a contract term, the requirement of reasonableness forthe purposes of this Ordinance and section 4 of the MisrepresentationOrdinance (Cap. 284) is satisfied only if the court or arbitratordetermines that the term was a fair and reasonable one to be includedhaving regard to the circumstances which were, or ought reasonably to havebeen, known to or in the contemplation of the parties when the contractwas made.(2) In determining for the purposes of section 11 or 12 whether a contractterm satisfies the requirement of reasonableness, the court or arbitratorshall have regard in particular to the matters specified in Schedule 2;but this subsection does not prevent the court or arbitrator from holding,in accordance with any rule of law, that a term which purports to excludeor restrict any relevant liabilityis not a term of the contract.

(3) In relation to a notice (not being a notice having contractualeffect), the requirement of reasonableness under this Ordinance issatisfied only if the court or arbitrator determines that it would be fairand reasonable to allow reliance on it, having regard to all thecircumstances obtaining when the liability arose or (but for the notice)would have arisen.(4) In determining (under this Ordinance or the MisrepresentationOrdinance (Cap. 284)) whether a contract term or notice satisfies therequirement of reasonableness, the court or arbitrator shall have regardin particular (but without prejudice to subsection (2) to whether (and, ifso, to what extent) the language in which the term or notice is expressedis a language understood by the person as against whom another personseeks to rely upon the term or notice.(5) Where by reference to a contract term or notice a person seeks torestrict liability to a specified sum of money, and the question arises(under this Ordinance or the MisrepresentationOrdinance (Cap. 284))whether the term or notice satisfies the requirement of reasonableness,the court or arbitrator shall have regard in particular (but withoutprejudice to subsection (2) or (4)) to--(a) the resources which he could expect to be available to him for thepurpose of meeting the liability should it arise; and(b) how far it was open to him to cover himself by insurance.(6) It is for the person claiming that a contract term or notice satisfiesthe requirement of reasonableness to prove that it does.[cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 11 U. K.]4. "Dealing as consumer"(1) A party to a contract "deals as consumer" in relation to another partyif--(a) he neither makes the contract in the course of a business nor holdshimself out as doing so;(b) theother party does make the contract in the course of a business;and(c) in the case of a contract governed by the law of sale of goods or bysection 12, the goods passing under or in pursuance of the contract are ofa type ordinarily supplied for private use or consumption.(2) Notwithstanding subsection(1), on a sale by auction or by competitivetender the buyer is not in any circumstances to be regarded as dealing asconsumer.(3) It is for the person claiming that a party does not deal as consumerto prove that he does not.[cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 12 U. K.]

5. Varieties of exemption clause(1) To the extent that this Ordinance prevents the exclusion orrestriction of any liability it also prevents--(a) making the liability or its enforcement subject to restrictive oronerous conditions;(b) excluding or restricting any right or remedy in respect of theliability, or subjecting a person to any prejudice in consequence of hispursuing any such right or remedy;(c) excluding or restricting rules of evidence or procedure, and (to thatextent) sections 7, 10, 11 and 12 also prevent excluding or restrictingliability by reference to terms and notices which exclude or restrictthe relevant obligation or duty.(2) An agreement in writing to submit present or future differences toarbitration is not to be treated under this Ordinance as excluding orrestricting any liability. [cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 13 U. K.]6. Power to amend Schedules 1 and 2The Legislative Council may by resolution amend Schedules 1 and 2.

PART II CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES

Avoidance of liability for negligence, breach of contract, etc.7. Negligence liability(1) A person cannot by reference to any contract term or to a notice givento persons generally or to particular persons exclude or restrict hisliability for death or personal injury resulting from negligence.(2) In the case of other loss or damage, a person cannot so exclude orrestrict his liability for negligence except in so far as the term ornotice satisfies the requirement of reasonableness.(3) Where a contract term or notice purports to exclude or restrictliability for negligence a person's agreement to or awareness of it is notof itself to be taken as indicating his voluntary acceptance of any risk.[cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 2 U. K.]8. Liabilityarising in contract(1) This section applies as between contracting parties where one of themdeals as consumer or on the other's written standard terms of business.(2) As against that party, the other cannot by reference to any contractterm--(a) When himself in breach of contract, exclude or restrict any liabilityof his in respect of the breach; or(b) claim to be entitled--(i) to render a contractual performance substantially different from thatwhichwas reasonably expected of him; or(ii) in respect of the whole or any part of his contractual obligation, torender no performance at all,except in so far as (in any of the cases mentioned above in thissubsection) the contract term satisfies the requirement of reasonableness.[cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 3U. K.]9. Unreasonable indemnity clauses(1) A person dealing as consumer cannot by reference to any contract termbe made to indemnify another person (whether a party to the contract ornot) in respect of liability that may be incurred by the other fornegligence or breach of contract, except in so far as the contract termsatisfies the requirement of reasonableness.(2) This section applies whether the liability in question--(a) is directly that of the person to be indemnified or is incurred by himvicariously;(b) is to the person dealing as consumer or to someone else. [cf. 1977 c.50 s. 4 U. K.]Liability arising from sale or supply of goods

10. "Guarantee" of consumer goods(1) In the case of goods of a type ordinarily supplied for private use orconsumption, where loss or damage--(a) arises from the goods proving defective while in consumer use; and(b) results from the negligence of a person concerned in the manufactureor distribution of the goods, liability for the loss or damage cannot beexcluded or restricted by reference to any contract term or noticecontained in or operating by reference to a guarantee of the goods.(2) For these purposes--(a) goods are to be regarded as "in consumer use" when a person is usingthem, or has them in his possession for use, otherwise than exclusivelyfor the purposes of a business; and(b) anything in writing is a guarantee if it contains or purports tocontain some promise or assurance (however worded or presented) thatdefects will be made good by complete or partial replacement, or byrepair, monetary compensation or otherwise.(3) This section does not apply as between the parties to a contract underor in pursuance of which possession or ownership of the goods passed.[cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 5 U. K.]11. Seller's liability(1) Liability for breach of the obligations arising from section 14 of theSale of Goods Ordinance (Cap. 26) (seller's implied undertakings as totitle, etc.) cannot be excluded or restricted by reference to any contractterm.(2) As against a person dealing as consumer, liability for breach of theobligations arising from section 15, 16 or 17 of the Sale of GoodsOrdinance (Cap. 26) (seller's implied undertakings as to conformity ofgoods with description or sample, or as to their quality or fitness for aparticular purpose) cannot be excluded or restricted by reference to anycontract term.(3) As against a person dealing otherwise than as consumer, the liabilityspecified in subsection (2) can be excluded or restricted by reference toa contract term, but only in so far as the term satisfies the requirementof reasonableness.(4) The liabilities referred to in this section are not only the businessliabilities defined by section 2 (2), but include those arising under anycontract of sale of goods. [cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 6 U. K.]12. Miscellaneous contracts under which goods pass(1) Where the possession or ownership of goods passes under or inpursuance of a contract not governed by the law of sale of goods,subsection (2) to (4) apply in relation to the effect (if any) that thecourt or arbitrator is to give to contract terms excluding or restrictingliability for breach of obligation arising by implication of law from thenature of the contract.(2) As against a person dealing as consumer, liability in respect of thegood's correspondence with description or sample, or their quality orfitness for any particular purpose, cannot be excluded or restricted byreference to anysuch term.(3) As against a person dealing otherwise than as consumer, that liabilitycan be excluded or restricted by reference to such a term, but only in sofar as the term satisfies the requirement of reasonableness.

(4) Liability in respect of--(a) the right to transfer ownership of the goods, or give possession; or(b) the assurance of quiet possession toa person taking goods inpursuance of the contract, cannot be excluded or restricted by referenceto any such term except in so far as the term satisfies the requirement ofreasonableness. [cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 7 U. K.]Other provisions about contracts13. Effect of breach on "reasonableness" test(1) Where for reliance upon it a contract term has to satisfy therequirement of reasonableness, it may be found to do so and be giveneffect accordingly notwithstanding that the contract has been terminatedeither by breach or by a party electing to treat it as repudiated.(2) Where on a breach the contract is nevertheless affirmed by a partyentitled to treat as repudiated, this does not of itself exclude therequirement of reasonableness in relation to any contract term.[cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 9 U. K.]14. Evasion by means of secondary contractA person is not bound by any contract term prejudicing or taking awayrights of his which arise under, or in connection with the performance of,another contract, so far as those rights extend to the enforcement ofanother's liability which this Ordinance prevents that other fromexcluding or restricting.[cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 10 U. K.]15. Arbitration agreements(1) As against a person dealing as consumer, an agreement to submit futuredifferences to arbitration cannot be enforced except--(a) with his written consent signified after the differences in questionhave arisen; or(b) where he has himself had recourse to arbitration in pursuance of theagreement in respect of any differences.(2) Subsection (1) does not affect--(a) the enforcement of an international arbitration agreement within themeaning of section 2 (1) of the Arbitration Ordinance (Cap. 341);(Replaced 76 of 1990 s. 2)(b) the resolution of differences arising under any contract so far as itis, by virtue of Schedule 1, excluded from the operation of section 7, 8,9 or 12.

PART III CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE CONTROL DOES NOT APPLY

16. International supply contracts(1) The limits imposed by this Ordinance on the extent to which a personmay exclude or restrict liability by reference to a contract term do notapply to liability arising under an international supply contract.(2) The terms of an international supply contract are not subject to anyrequirement of reasonableness under section 8 or 9.(3) For the purposes of this section, an international supply contractmeansa contract--(a) that is either a contract of sale of goods or a contract under or inpursuance of which the possession or ownership of goods passes;(b)that is made by parties whose places of business (or, if they havenone, habitual residences) are in the territories of different States orare in and outside Hong Kong; and(c) in the case of which--(i) the goods in question are, at the time of the conclusion of thecontract, in the course of carriage, or will be carried, from theterritory of one State to the territory of another, or to or from HongKong from or to a place outside Hong Kong; or(ii) the acts constituting the offer and acceptance have been done in theterritories of different States or in and outside Hong Kong; or(iii) the contract provides for the goods to be delivered to the territoryof a State other than that within whose territory the acts constitutingthe offerand acceptance were done; or(iv) the acts constituting the offer and acceptance were done in Hong Kongand the contract provides for the goods to be delivered outside Hong Kong;or(v) the acts constituting the offer and acceptance were done outside HongKong and the contract provides for the goods to be delivered to Hong Kong.[cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 26 U. K.]17. Choice of law clauses(1) Where the proper law of a contract is the law of Hong Kong only bychoice of the parties (and apart from that choice would be the law of someother country) sections 7 to 12 do not operate as part of the proper law.(2) This Ordinance has effect notwithstanding any contract term whichapplies or purports to apply the law of some other country, where (eitheror both)--(a) the term appears to the court or arbitrator to have been imposedwholly or mainly for the purpose of enabling the party imposing it toevade the operation of this Ordinance; or(b) in the making of the contract one of the parties dealt as consumer,and he was then habitually resident in Hong Kong,and the essential stepsnecessary for the making of the contract were taken there, whether by himor by others on his behalf. [cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 27 U. K.]

18. Saving for other relevant legislation(1) Nothing in this Ordinance removes or restricts the effect of, orprevents reliance upon, any contractual provision which--(a) is authorized or required by the express terms or necessaryimplication of an enactment; or(b) being made with a view to compliance with an international agreementwhich applies to Hong Kong, does not operate more restrictively than iscontemplated by the agreement.(2) A contract term is to be taken for the purposes of this Ordinance assatisfying the requirement of reasonableness if it is incorporated orapproved by, or incorporated pursuant to a decision or ruling of, acompetent authority acting in the exercise of any statutory jurisdictionor function and is not a term in a contract to which the competentauthority is itself a party.(3) In this section--"competent authority" means any court,arbitrator or public body;"enactment" means any Ordinance and any instrument having effect by virtueof any Ordinance; and"statutory" means conferred by an enactment.[cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 29 U. K.]19. ApplicationNothing in this Ordinance applies to contracts made before the date onwhich it comes into force but, subject to this, it applies to liabilityfor any loss or damage which is suffered on or after that date.[cf. 1977 c. 50 s. 31 (2) U. K.]

PART IV CONSEQUENTIAL AND OTHER AMENDMENTS

20. (Omitted as spent)[ss. 6, 7, 8, 9, 12

15]

SCHEDULE 1 SCOPE OF SECTIONS 7, 8, 9 AND 12

1. Sections 7, 8 and 9 do not apply to--(a) any contract of insurance (including a contract to pay an annuity onhuman life);(b) any contract so far as it relates to the creation or transfer of aninterest in land, or to the termination of such an interest, whether byextinction, merger, surrender, forfeiture or otherwise;(c) any contract so far as it relates to the creation or transfer of aright or interest in any patent, trade mark, copyright, registered design,technical or commercial information or other intellectual property, orrelates to the termination of any such right or interest;(d) any contract so far as it relates--(i) to the formation or dissolution of a company (which means any bodycorporate or unincorporated association and includes a partnership); or(ii) to its constitution or the rights or obligations of its corporatorsor members;(e) any contract so far as it relates to the creation or transfer ofsecurities or of any right or interest in securities; (Amended 68 of 1992s. 20)(f) any contract so far as it relates to a person specified in thatcontract being a participant within the meaning of section 2 of theSecurities (Clearing Houses) Ordinance (Cap. 420), and includes any othercontract entered into by that person--(i) which is required by that first-mentioned contract to be so enteredinto; and(ii) so far as it relates to the activities of that person as such aparticipant. (Added 68 of 1992 s. 20)2. Section 7 (1) applies to--(a) any contract of marine salvage or towage;(b) any charterparty of a ship or hovercraft; and(c) any contract for the carriage of goods by ship or hovercraft,but sections 7 (2) and (3), 8, 9 and 12 do not apply to any such contractexcept in favour of a person dealing as consumer.3. Where goods are carried by ship or hovercraft in pursuance of acontract which either--(a) specifies that as the means of carriage over part of the journey to becovered; or(b) makes no provision as to the means of carriage and does not excludethat means, then sections 7 (2), 8 and 9 do not, except in favour of aperson dealing as consumer, apply to the contract as it operates inrelation to the carriage of the goods by that means.4. Section 7 (1) and (2) does not apply to a contract of employment,except in favour of the employee.[cf. 1977 c. 50 Sch. I U. K.][ss. 3 (2)

6]

SCHEDULE 2 "GUIDELINES" FOR APPLICATION OF REASONABLENESS TEST

The matters to which the court or arbitrator shall have regard inparticular for the purposes of sections 11 (3) and 12 (3) and (4) are anyof the following which appear to be relevant--(a) the strength of the bargaining positions of the parties relative toeach other, taking into account(among other things) alternative means bywhich the customer's requirements could have been met;(b) whether the customer received an inducement to agreeto the term, orin accepting it had an opportunity of entering into a similar contractwith other persons, but without having to accept a similar term;(c) whether the customer knew or ought reasonably to have known of theexistence and extent of the term (having regard, among other things, toany custom of the trade and any previous course of dealing between theparties);(d) where the term excludes or restricts any relevant liability if somecondition is not complied with, whether it was reasonable at the time ofthe contract to expect that compliance with that condition would bepracticable;(e) whether the goods were manufactured, processed or adapted to thespecial order of the customer.[cf. 1977 c. 50 Sch. 2 U. K.]SCHEDULE 3 (Omitted as spent)