台湾民法典英文版.doc

Part Ⅰ General Principles 　 Chapter Application Rules Article ???1??? If there is no applicable act for a civil case, the case shall be decided according to customs. If there is no such custom, the case shall be decided according to the jurisprudence. Article ???2??? Only those customs which are not against public policy or morals shall be applied to a civil case. Article ???3??? While a written document is required by the act, it is unnecessary written by the person himself, but it must be signed by him.If the person uses a seal in stead of his signature, the affixing of such seal has the same effect as of his signature.The effect of a finger-print, cross or other mark will be equivalent to the effect of a signature provided that it is certified with two witnesses signatures. Article ???4??? If a certain quantity is expressed both in characters and in figures, and if there is inconsistency between them, the expression in characters shall be governed when the court cannot ascertain the real intent of the parties. Article ???5??? If a certain quantity is expressed in characters or in figures more than once, and if there is inconsistency in them, the fewest shall be governed when the court cannot ascertain the real intent of the parties. 　 Chapter Ⅱ Persons 　　　Section Natural Persons Article ???6??? The legal capacity of a person commences from the moment of live birth and terminates at death. Article ???7??? An unborn child is considered as if it were already born with regard to its interests, except it was subsequently born dead. Article ???8??? An absent person who has disappeared for more than seven years may be declared dead by the court upon the application of any interested person or the public prosecutor.If the absent person was over eighty years of age and has disappeared for more than three years, he may be declared dead.If the absent person was in a catastrophe, he may be declared dead when it has been over a year after the e