工程承包合同变更的限制

The limitation to the modification of construction contracts

工程承包合同具有不同于其他一般民事合同的特点。在工程承包合同中一般包括变更条款,赋予业主单方变更合同的权利,以便于业主发出变更指示以适应环境变化。但若这种权利不加以限制,业主可以肆意变更合同,并强制承包商执行且承包商对于所受损失不能请求补偿,则对于承包商而言未免不公平。本文基于合同同一性理论、相关法律规定以及我国工程管理制度并借鉴美国法院所确立的"重大变更"和"累积影响"原则,对工程承包合同变更限制进行解析,希望能减少与变更相关之争议,以期对工程合同管理研究和实务工作有所帮助。

Unlike other types of contracts,the change orders can be unilaterally prepared and issued by employers or engineers under change clause of construction contract in case of any later modification of the contracts.However,it is considered unfair to contractors if employers modify the contracts at will but end up being unable to compensate the contractors for their losses.This paper discusses the limitation to the modification of construction contract in light of the identity between the original contract and the modified contract,the principle of cardinal change and cumulative impact in the American court,the Chinese laws in this regard and the construction management systems in China.It is hoped that this research can help reduce the disputes brought about by modified contracts and contribute to the research and practice of construction contract.