法律英语复习重点

Why
What
Tools
How
Additional advice & course description
Arrangement of the textbook
Home
What to learn?
To learn and refine your own English（扎实的基本功，法律语言句式复杂，长句多）
Acquire the language of law
Acquire knowledge of the basic legal concepts
Some features of legal language
common words with special meaning
Old and Middle English words
Latin words and phrases
French words
Use of argot
Long sentence
WORDS LEGAL MEANING
action 诉讼
Consideration补偿/对价/约因
Counterpart副本
executed签名使契据生效
Hand签字
Instrument文件
eg. Legal instrument: legal document
(1) common words with special meaning
WORDS LEGAL MEANING
Letters 许可证
Party 诉讼方、合同缔结方、当事人
Prayer诉讼请求
Presents本文件this legal document
Said上述的mentioned before
Eg. the said witness 该证人
Serve送达
Specialty盖印合同sealed contract
Provide for 规定
Remedy补救办法
(2) Old and Middle English words
If any of the terms or provisions of this Contract shall be declared illegal or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the parties hereto agree to do all things and cooperate in all ways open to them to obtain substantially the same result or as much thereof as may be possible, including the amendment or alteration of these presents
若主管法庭宣布本合同任何条款或规定非法或无效，双方同意将尽最大努力采取一切可行措施，包括修改或更换合同，以取得大体相同或尽可能多的效益
here words: hereafter（此后、将来）, hereby（籍此）, herein（此中、此处）, hereinafter（在下文）, hereof, hereto there words: thereby, thereof（因此）, therein（在那里）, thereon, thereto, theretofore, thereupon, therewith aforesaid如前所述
said (used as an adjective)
Such上述的
forthwith立刻
thence从那时起, thenceforth从那时起/其后
Where words: whereby（由是、因此）, whereof（关于它）
witness (used in the sense of testimony by signature, oath, etc. as “In witness whereof, I have set my hand, ...”签字盖章,特此为证
witnesseth鉴于(meaning to provide formal evidence of something, the Old English present indicative, third person singular verb form.)
(3) Latin words and phrases
alias别名, 化名
Alibi不在犯罪现场的证明/不在犯罪现场一种辩护形式
bona fide善意/真诚的
versus
(4) French words
Action 诉讼
Agreement 协议
Appeal 上诉
arrest
arson 纵火
assault 袭击
attorneys 律师
battery 殴打罪
bill 法案、议案
claim 索取
Condition 条款
contract
evidence 契约法、合同法
execution 执行
guarantee担保物/抵押品
infant未成年人
judges
judgment 审判
jurors 陪审员
justice
(5) Use of argot
The language of the law, sometimes even a particular word, has a dual aspect. Lawyers use language that is intended to speak to lawyers and laymen, as in contracts, jury instructions, notices, and even laws. Lawyers also use language that is intended to speak primarily to each other, as in pleadings, opinions, argument and in the day-to-day negotiation and discussion that is the lawyer's life. In this aspect, a portion of the language of the law is ARGOT, a 'professional language'. E.g.:
alleged有嫌疑的
case
cause of action 原告的起诉原由
damages 损害赔偿
due care 应有注意
inferior court 下级法院
issue of fact关于事实的争论点
issue of law关于引用法律的争论点
pursuant to stipulation
reversed and remanded发回重审
superior court 高级法院
Any person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, while having dealings of any kind with any other public body, offers any advantage to any public servant employed by that public body, shall be guilty of an offence. 任何人与其它公共机构进行任何事务往来时,无合法权限或合理理由而向受雇于该公共机构的公职人员提供任何利益﹐即属犯罪。

●statute n.
制定法，联邦、州、市或县的立法机关均可制定，专指以立法形式创设的法律。

●legislation
立法；立法活动；制定法（总称）
●code：法典n.
e.g.《美国统一商法典》（Uniform Commercial Code,简称UCC）
●civil law：罗马法；罗马法系；大陆法系；民法法系
●common law：普通法；普通法系；判例法系
After-class assignment 1:
What are the major legal systems in the world today?
The difference among them?
Explain within 8 mins.
Common law 普通法
Judge-made law 法官制定的法
Precedent 判例、先例（早些时候发生的案例，其判决结果可作为现在及将来类似案件的判决依据）
Civil law system 大陆法
Precedent/previous judicial decision is binding and is considered as a source of law (the distinctive feature of common-law system)
1. legislation
Parliament---the supreme legislative authority (House of Lords; House of Commons)
British legislation includes: Acts of Parliament（议会立法）, subordinate or delegated legislation（授权立法）, and Community legislation（共同体立法）
Acts of Parliament are the supreme form of law---the validity of which can not be questioned by any English court 2. Courts and tribunals
court 法庭
tribunal 裁判庭
arbitration 仲裁
exercise v. 执行、行使
Court of Appeal 上诉法庭
Court of first instance/ Trial court 初审法庭
the supreme court 最高法院
3. judges
Lord Chancellor (英国上议院的)大法官
the most important judge in Britain
4. hearing
hear v. 审理
adversarial procedure辩论式诉讼程序
adversary system对抗制诉讼模式，此制度允许双方当事人为了获得有利于自己的判决而进行辩论，法官只能就辩论的范围以第三者的姿态加以决断。

其区别于大陆法系国家纠问制诉讼模式（inquisitorial system）plaintiff原告
testimony证词
cross-examine交叉盘问，<律>向(对方证人)反询问
Self-reading: p264-267
5. Legal profession律师制度
Lawyer可以包括律师、检查官、法官、法学教师，亦可译为“法律人”
美国的律师通常称为attorney
英国的律师分为barrister和solicitor
barrister (英国有资格在高等法庭作辩护的)专门律师,出庭律师，大律师
solicitor的意思【英】初级律师( 法律咨询，只能在低级法庭出庭的律师)
Barrister一词，源自英格兰法律，多用于英国、新加坡等国和香港地区，又称“大律师”、“巴律师”、“高级律师”、“出庭律师”、“辩护律师”、“专门律师”，指那些能在英国上级法院执行律师职务的律师。

Barrister（大律师），一般是精通某门法律或某类案件的专家。

他们不仅通过辩护为当事人提供法律服务，而且回答小律师们（solicitor）提出的疑难问题。

此外，大律师经过大法官的提名，可被授予皇家大律师（Queen’s counsel，也译为王室法律顾问，简称QC。

）的称号。

大律师还可被任命为高等法院法官和上诉法院法官。

由于大律师具有较高的社会地位，所以取得大律师资格的条件很严格：第一，要受过一定的高等教育。

第二，必须参加一个大律师组织——四大法学院(即林肯律师学院、格雷律师学院、内殿律师学院和中殿律师学院)，作为该院的学生，完成学术与职业训练，参加法学院内一定的餐会次数（Dining terms）。

第三，必须提交品格良好的证明书。

第四，法学院学习期满后，在有经验的大律师指导下，实习一年，签署入会誓言。

Solicitor一词源自英格兰法律，多用于英国、新加坡等国和香港地区，又称“小律师”、“沙律师”、“初级律师”、“撰状律师”、“诉讼律师”，在香港称为“事务律师”。

Solicitor是直接受当事人委托，在下级法院及诉讼外执行律师职务，为当事人提供多种法律服务的人。

Solicitor(小律师)的活动范围比大律师要广泛得多。

他们可以担任政府、公司、银行、商店、公私团体的法律顾问，可以在下级法院，如治安法院、郡法院和验尸官法院执行代理和辩护职务，还可以处理非诉讼案件，
为当事人起草法律文书和解答一般法律问题。

课文中bar指律师。

Bar的意思最初是指法庭上那些用来隔离普通观众区与法官、律师、当事人及法庭官员保留区的栅栏，现转用来指“律师界”，是律师的总称。

它与the bench（法官）相对应。

Contract Law
Basic structure
Warm-up activity
Essential terms 术语
Putting the terms to use术语运用
What is contract 什么是合同
Forms of Contracts合同形式
Clauses of Contracts合同条款
Principles of the Contract Law合同法原则
How is a contract formed? 合同的缔结
Warm-up: discussion
Work with your partner and list at least 3 exchanges covered by contracts, such as the sale of a house.
Buying a car; leasing a car; an employment contract; taking a vacation (the contract between you and the hotel or travel agent); obtaining a credit card.
What common elements do such exchanges have?
Two or more parties
Offer
acceptance
Essential terms 重要术语
Offer 要约：作为或不作为的许诺
Offeror 要约人：提出商品或服务要约的自然人或公司（卖方）
Offeree受要约人：接受要约的自然人或公司（买方）
Acceptance承诺：对要约条款和条件的接受
Putting the terms to use（术语的运用）
Read the following contract form---a bill of sale for automobiles
BILL OF SALE
Dated:
_____, referred to as “SELLER”, sells, bargains and conveys all of SELLER’S rights, title and interest in:
Make:______
Model:_____
Style of the vehicle:____
Year of vehicle:_____
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):____
to _____, referred to as “BUYER”, his heirs and assigns.
…
The parties agree to the terms and conditions stated herein:
_____, SELLER (signature)
_____ (typed name)
_______, BUYER (signature)
________ (typed name)
出售单
日期：——
——，即为“卖方”，出售、议价和转让下述车辆的权利和利益：
制造：——
型号：——
款式：——
生产日期——
车辆确认号码：——
给——，即“买方”，及其继承人和指定人。

……
双方同意上述条款：
——，卖方（签名）
————（打印的名字）
——，买方（签名）
————（打印的名字）
What is contract
An agreement establishing, modifying and terminating the civil rights and obligations between subjects of equal footing
1. competent parties 有法定资格的主体
2. legal subject matter 合法的标的
3. mutuality of agreement 意思表示一致
4. mutuality of obligation 互负责任
Competent parties
Have appropriate civil capacity of right and civil capacity of conduct
Have the ability to understand and agree to the terms of the contract
Mentally competent
Minors are often not considered “competent”.
Kiefer v. Fred Howe Motors, Inc.
A young man, technically a minor, bought a car. However, he then decided that he didn’t like the car and tried to take it back to the dealer. The deal er wouldn’t take the car back and refund the young man’s money so the young man sued for rescission. The young man won, and the dealer had to give him back his money because a contract with a minor isn’t (usually) valid
Forms of Contracts
A contract can be concluded in written, oral, or other forms
Written forms: a written contractual agreement, letters, telegram, telex, fax, e-mails, etc.
If there is a written contract signed together with one party’s oral commitment which contains some t erms inconsistent with the written contract, then which （the written contract/ oral commitment ) should be valid?
A video clip
“ Come on inside, Alex, and we’ll talk about what you want for dinner.” Can Alex insist that he be served what he wants for dinner based on this “contract”?
agreeing to talk about something is not the same thing as making a contract
Alex and his roommate have a deal. Alex pays for the groceries, and the roommate cooks. Every day for a year, Alex’s roommate has asked him what he wanted for dinner and then prepared exactly that. Tonight the roommate cooks something that Alex hates. Alex is furious and thinks the roommate has violated the “contract”. Do you agree? Why?
There has been a course of dealing established over the year
Case analysis
Clauses of Contracts
1. title or name and domicile of the parties
2. contract object
3. quantity
4. quality
5. price or remuneration
6. time limit, place and method of performance
7. liability for breach of contract
8. methods to settle disputes
Principles of the Contract Law
Principle of Equality
Principle of V oluntariness
Principle of Good Faith
Principle of Abiding by the Laws and Regulations, Observing Social Ethics and the Socioeconomic Order
How is a contract formed?
Offer + acceptance = bona fide contract.
An offer – a definite promise or proposal made by the offeror to the offeree with the intention to be bound by such promise or proposal without further negotiation.
It’s contents should be detailed and definite.
e.g. “I give you $100 for [your] not suing me.“
e.g. “I will not sue you if you repay me $100.”
The terms of an valid offer must be clear and definite
The more specific the terms of any document are, the more likely one could claim that an offer was made.
A valid offer must be directed to the specifically identified offeree ---- should not be vague or ambiguous
eg. In many cases, advertisements are not offers but are simply devices to begin negotiations because there is no definite offeree.
The people who read the ad often become the offerors when they “ offer” to buy whatever the ad is selling.
When the buyer contacts the seller, both parties are finally clearly identified.
Offer must be distinguished from “invitation to offer”/”invitation to treat”
The step before acceptance is an offer.
The step before an offer is invitation to offer.
扩展知识
法律英语典型句的翻译（iii）
Some language points in the textbook
4. WHERE
在普通英文中，用where引导的状语从句，一般为地点状语从句。

但在法律英文中，where引导的是法律条款中的条件状语从句，相当于“in the case where”。

在香港，其最典型的译法是“凡......”or “如…..”。

例如：例 1
Where a defendant is fined and the same is not forthwith paid, the magistrate may order the defendant to be searched.
凡被告人被判处罚款﹐但没有随即缴付罚款﹐裁判官可命令搜查被告人。

例 2
Where a claimant has a claim which exceeds the monetary amount mentioned in the Schedule and which, but for the excess, would not be within the jurisdiction of the Board, the claimant may abandon the excess, and thereupon the Board shall have jurisdiction to inquire into, hear and determine the claim.
如只因申索人的申索超逾附表所述的款额﹐以致该申索超逾仲裁处的司法管辖权范围﹐则申索人可放弃追讨超额的款项﹐而在此情况下﹐仲裁处有查讯﹑聆讯及裁决该宗申索的司法管辖权。

Introduction to Chinese Law
Its uniqueness lies in….
The multiple legal jurisdictions,
The striking Chinese characteristics manifested by the traditional heritage and unique solutions to the problems of transitional economy, and
Significant external elements including civil law tradition, common tradition and heritage of former Soviet Union. The Unique Chinese Law Family
One unitary country with multiple legal jurisdictions
What is legal jurisdiction?
How many legal jurisdictions does China have? What are they?
legal jurisdiction 法域/ 法律管辖区域：指自有一套法律制度的区域。

legal system 法律体系/ 法律制度：指在一个区域内（国家地区）的能系统存在和运行的法律整体。

legal family / law family / family of law / legal tradition / legal group 法系/ 法律传统：比较法学概念,含义却不很确定。

一般可以理解为由若干国家和特定地区的、具有某种共性或共同传统的法律的总称。

Three legal jurisdictions:
1) the People’s Republic of China (PRC) (law),
2) Hongkong Special Administrative Region (HK SAR) (law),
3) Macau SAR law,
4) …
Significant External Influences
The Chinese law is said to be significantly influenced by Western legal traditions including the civil law tradition, common law tradition and the law of former Soviet Union.
在中华人民共和国境内，我国大陆和台湾地区、澳门地区主要继受的是大陆法，而我国香港地区继受的是英美法。

Striking Chinese characteristics
Traditional Chinese law system has a history of more than 2000 years, and it was once one of the four major law families together with the Anglo-American common law family, European Roman law family, and the Islam law family.
Sources and hierarchy of Chinese law
How do you define “sources of law”?
Sources and hierarchy of Chinese law
Sources of law 法律渊源
-also known as forms of law, refer to forms of expression of law.
What are the sources of Chinese law?
我国的法律渊源包括哪些？
以宪法为核心的制定法形式，法律渊源可分为以下几类：
（1）宪法：具有最高的法律地位和法律效力，是最高的法律渊源。

宪法主要由两个方面的基本规范组成，一是《中华人民共和国宪法》。

二是其它附属的宪法性文件，主要包括：主要国家机关组织法、选举法、民族区域自治法、特别行政区基本法、国籍法、国旗法、国徽法、保护公民权利法及其他宪法性法律文件。

（2）法律专指由全国人民代表大会和全国人民代表大会常务委员会制定颁布的规范性法律文件，即狭义的法律，其法律效力仅次于宪法
（3）最高国家行政机关的行政法规和法规性文件：行政法规是国家最高行政机关国务院制定的有关国家行政管理的规范性文件的总称。

其法律地位和法律效力仅次于宪法和法律，但高于地方性法规和法规性文件。

（4）地方国家机关的地方性法规和法规性文件：指省、自治区、直辖市以及省级政府所在地的市和经国务院批准的较大的市的权力机关，在其法定的权限内制定的地方性法规和法规性文件。

地方性法规只在本辖区内有效。

（5）民族自治地方的自治条例和单行条例：根据《宪法》和《民族区域自治法》的规定，民族自治地方的人民代表大会有权依照当地民族的政治、经济和文化的特点，制定自治条例和单行条例。

其适用范围是该民族自治地方。

（6）特别行政区的规范性法律文件：特别行政区根据宪法和法律的规定享有行政管理权、立法权、独立的司法权和终审权。

特别行政区的各类法的形式，是我国法律的一部分，是我国法律的一种特殊形式。

（7）国际条约：经我国政府签订、加入、承认后的国际条约也是我国的一种法的渊源。

国际条约的名称，除条约外还有公约、协定、议定书、宪章、盟约、换文和联合宣言等。

How to determine the validity of laws and regulations at different levels? And at the same level?
The hierarchy of laws is determined by the respective legislative bodies. The higher the legislative body is, the higher the validity of such laws.
Two rules govern the validity of laws and regulations at different levels.
1) The Constitution is of the supreme authority.
2) Laws and regulations at higher levels are superior to those at lower levels
How to determine the validity of laws and regulations at the same level then?
1) Special law prevails over general law;
特别法的效力高于一般法
2) New law prevails over old law.
新法优于旧法
Case Analysis
Wang Ying is a high school teacher in Henan province. On 5 Apr. 1997, her husband died of pancreas disease caused by over drinking spirit. She believes that drinking spirit caused her husband’s death. Like smoking, drinking is harmful. Now that “smoking is harmful to health” is required to be shown on the cigarette box. Why doesn’t the spirit brewery use a similar warning on the label of spirit bottles? In 1998, she went to court to sue the brewery’s failure for providing such a warning on the label of spirit bottles.
She claimed economic losses and spiritual damages for losing her husband totaling RMB 600,000. The court held that the spirit brewery was not obligated to offer such a warning in accordance with the Standard for the Labeling of Alcoholic Beverage饮料酒标签标准Courts of both first and second instance denied her request.
Assume that the above Standards applied by the court is a ministerial rule. There are other ministerial rules, which are of the same rank with said Standards, such as Methods for Administering Advertisements of Alcoholic Beverage issued by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce in 1995, Provisions on Product Labels and Captions issued by the State Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau国家质量技术监督局in 1997. These rules request the producers to provide a warning on label if the inappropriate use of said product might endanger human health. Still, there are laws in point. Article 18 of the Consumers’ Rights and Interests Protection Law provides that if the products and service might endanger the human body or safety of property, the operator including the manufacturer shall make an authentic explanation and an express warning, and explain and indicate how to use the product or receive the service correctly so as to prevent the injury. Similar provisions can be found in the Product Quality Law. 扩充知识
法律英语典型句的翻译（ii）
2. SUBJECT TO
该短语在法律英文中一般都跟“agreement”, “section”, “contract”等法律文件名或文件中特定条款名配合使用。

例 1
Subject to this section, an appeal shall be brought in such manner and shall be subject to such conditions as are prescribed by rules made under subsection (5).
在符合本条的规定下,上诉须按根据(5)款订立的规则内订明的方式提出,并须受该规则所订明的条件规限。

例2
Subject to subsection (3), the Board shall have jurisdiction to inquire into, hear and determine the claims specified in the Schedule.
除第（3）款另有规定外﹐仲裁处具备查讯﹑聆讯及裁决附表内指明的申索的司法管辖权。

通常可翻译成“以……为条件”、“根据……规定”、“在符合………的情况下”、“除……另有规定外”以及“在
不抵触……下”等。

3 WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO
这个英文法律短语的功能相当于普通英文中的“without affecting”。

与上一节“subject to...”的句法结构相同，跟在“without prejudice to”这个短语之后的通常是一个指代某项法律条款的名词。

但对有关事物或条款的规限程度，没有前者那么强硬。

前者规限的程度是必须“符合”或“依照”有关条款或规定，后者指不要影响或损害其规限的事物。

例 1
Without prejudice to section 24, the following will shall be treated as properly executed ...
在不影响第24条规定的原则下﹐以下的遗嘱须视为正式签立……
例 2
Without prejudice to the rights of the Attorney General every complainant or informant shall be at liberty to conduct the complaint or information respectively and to have the witnesses examined and cross-examined by him or by counsel on his behalf.
在不损害律政司权利的原则下﹐每名申诉人或告发人可进行其申诉或告发﹐并亲自或由代表律师讯问及盘问证人。

在汉语中，其意思相当于“在不损害……的原则下”、“在不影响……的情况下”、“……不受影响”、“不妨碍……”、以及“不规限……”等等。

Chapter one Laws on Foreign Investment Enterprises
ⅠDefinition of Foreign Investment Enterprises
Foreign Investment Enterprises are the enterprises established within Chinese territory, in accordance with the laws of the People’s Republic of China and the principle of equality and mutual benefit, with capital provided jointly by Chinese investors and foreign investors or solely by foreign investors.
外商投资企业的种类
1、Chinese-Foreign Joint Venture(中外合资经营企业)
2、Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Venture (中外合作经营企业)
3、Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprises (外资企业)
ⅡDefinition of laws on Foreign Investment Enterprises
Laws regulating on foreign capital enterprises
are the Law of the P eople’s Republic of China
on Chinese-Foreign Joint Ventures, the Law of
the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign
Contractual Ventures, the Law of the People’s
Republic of China on Enterprises with Sole Foreign
Investment and three regulations for the
implementation of the above laws.
Section 2 Law on Chinese-Foreign Joint Ventures
Ⅰ. Chinese-Foreign Joint Ventures
The enterprises which are established within Chinese territory, in accordance with the laws of China and the principle of equality and mutual benefit, and in which foreign enterprises, other economic organizations or natural persons and Chinese enterprises, other economic organizations jointly contribute capital and manage the enterprise. Share Benefits,
losses and risks.
Ⅱ.Establishment of Chinese-Foreign Joint Ventures
Conditions for the Establishment
A. The lines of business should be permitted允许设立合资经营企业的行业：
B. The enterprises shall emphasize economic results
2. Procedures for Establishment
a. Application
b. Examination and
Approval
c. Registration
Ⅲ.Organization Form and Registered Capital
1. Organization Form组织形式
A .Joint venture is a limited liability company.
2. Registered Capital
The foreign parties shall not be less than 25%
of the registered capital of the equity joint venture.
在合资企业的注册资本中，外国合营者的投资比例一般不低于25%
Ⅳ.Investment Contribution Methods and Period of Investment
1. Organ of Authority 权利机构
The board of directors is the highest authority of a joint venture.
2. Management Structure经营管理机构
One general manager and several deputy general managers
Ⅴ. Organ of Authority and Management
Structure
Ⅵ. Term of Business, Dissolution and Liquidation
1. Term of Business 经营期限
The term of a joint venture is usually
from 10 to 30 years.
2. Dissolution
3. Liquidation
Section Three Law on Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures
Ⅰ. Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint
Ventures and Law on Chinese-Foreign
Contractual Joint Ventures
1.Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures
2. Law on Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures
Ⅱ. Establishment of Contractual Joint Ventures
1. Conditions for the Establishment
2. Establishment Procedures
A. Application
B. Examination and Approval
C. Registration
Ⅲ. Form and Organizational Structure
1. Form 组织形式
A. the contractual joint ventures with the status of a legal person 具有法人资格的合作企业
B. the contractual joint ventures without the status of a legal person 不具有法人资格的合作企业
2. Organizational Structure经营管理机构（三种）
A. Board of Directors 董事会
B. Joint Management Committee 联合管理委员会
C. Entrustment of the
Operations and
Management of
the Contractual
Joint Venture合作企业的
委托管理制
Ⅳ. Registered Capital, Investment Contribution Methods and Period of Investment of the Contractual Joint Venture 1. Registered Capital
The registered capital
shall not be reduced
for the duration of the
cooperation 合作企业的
注册资本在合作期限内不得减
少
2. Investment Contribution Methods
出资方式
in cash or in kind ,may include the right to land use, industrial property Rights, proprietary technology and other property rights 以现金、实物、土地使用权、专有技术和其他财产权。

3. Period of Investment of the Contractual Joint Venture
Ⅴ.distribution of profits or Products and Recovery of Investment in the Contractual Joint Venture
1. Distribution of profits or Products
2. Recovery of Investment
Ⅵ.Duration and Dissolution of the Contractual Joint Venture
1. Duration
2. Dissolution
中外合资经营企业v.s.中外合作经营企业
合营方式不同:合资企业是股权式组织，而合作企业是契约式组织。

合资企业各方的各种投资形式(包括现金、设备、厂房、技术、土地使用权等)都要以同一货币单位计算股权，利润的分享和风险的承担都以股权为依据，合营期限也比较长。

而合作企业合作各方提供的现金、设备、土地、技术、劳动力等不作为股本投入，利润的分配完全依据各方签订的协议，合营期限一般比合资企业短。

组织形式不同:合资企业必须是具有法人资格的企业即有限责任公司，而合作企业则可以是不具有法人资格的组织(合伙型企业)。

投资回收方式不同:合资经营企业只有在依法终止时，外国合营者才能收回自己的资本，而合作企业中的外国合营者在一定条件下可以先行回收投资。