Title II.

- CONTRACTS

CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Art. 1305. A contract is a eetin! o" in#s $et%een t%o &ersons
%'ere$( one $in#s 'isel") %it' res&ect to t'e ot'er) to !i*e
soet'in! or to ren#er soe ser*ice. +1,5-a.
Art. 130/. T'e contractin! &arties a( esta$lis' s0c' sti&0lations)
cla0ses) ters an# con#itions as t'e( a( #ee con*enient)
&ro*i#e# t'e( are not contrar( to la%) orals) !oo# c0stos) &0$lic
or#er) or &0$lic &olic(. +1,55a.
Art. 1301. Innoinate contracts s'all $e re!0late# $( t'e
sti&0lations o" t'e &arties) $( t'e &ro*isions o" Titles I an# II o" t'is
2oo3) $( t'e r0les !o*ernin! t'e ost analo!o0s noinate
contracts) an# $( t'e c0stos o" t'e &lace.
Art. 1304. T'e contract 0st $in# $ot' contractin! &arties5 its
*ali#it( or co&liance cannot $e le"t to t'e %ill o" one o" t'e.
+1,5/a.
Art. 1306. T'e #eterination o" t'e &er"orance a( $e le"t to a
t'ir# &erson) %'ose #ecision s'all not $e $in#in! 0ntil it 'as $een
a#e 3no%n to $ot' contractin! &arties.
Art. 1310. T'e #eterination s'all not $e o$li!ator( i" it is e*i#entl(
ine70ita$le. In s0c' case) t'e co0rts s'all #eci#e %'at is e70ita$le
0n#er t'e circ0stances.
Art. 1311. Contracts ta3e e""ect onl( $et%een t'e &arties) t'eir
assi!ns an# 'eirs) e8ce&t in case %'ere t'e ri!'ts an# o$li!ations
arisin! "ro t'e contract are not transissi$le $( t'eir nat0re) or $(
sti&0lation or $( &ro*ision o" la%. T'e 'eir is not lia$le $e(on# t'e
*al0e o" t'e &ro&ert( 'e recei*e# "ro t'e #ece#ent.
I" a contract s'o0l# contain soe sti&0lation in "a*or o" a t'ir#
&erson) 'e a( #ean# its "0l"illent &ro*i#e# 'e co0nicate# 'is
acce&tance to t'e o$li!or $e"ore its re*ocation. A ere inci#ental
$ene"it or interest o" a &erson is not s0""icient. T'e contractin!
&arties 0st 'a*e clearl( an# #eli$eratel( con"erre# a "a*or 0&on a
t'ir# &erson. +1,51a.
Art. 131,. In contracts creatin! real ri!'ts) t'ir# &ersons %'o coe
into &ossession o" t'e o$9ect o" t'e contract are $o0n# t'ere$()
s0$9ect to t'e &ro*isions o" t'e :ort!a!e La% an# t'e Lan#
Re!istration La%s.
Art. 1313. Cre#itors are &rotecte# in cases o" contracts inten#e# to
#e"ra0# t'e.
Art. 131-. An( t'ir# &erson %'o in#0ces anot'er to *iolate 'is
contract s'all $e lia$le "or #aa!es to t'e ot'er contractin! &art(.
Art. 1315. Contracts are &er"ecte# $( ere consent) an# "ro t'at
oent t'e &arties are $o0n# not onl( to t'e "0l"illent o" %'at 'as
$een e8&ressl( sti&0late# $0t also to all t'e conse70ences %'ic')
accor#in! to t'eir nat0re) a( $e in 3ee&in! %it' !oo# "ait') 0sa!e
an# la%. +1,54.
Art. 131/. Real contracts) s0c' as #e&osit) &le#!e an# Coo#at0)
are not &er"ecte# 0ntil t'e #eli*er( o" t'e o$9ect o" t'e o$li!ation.
Art. 1311. No one a( contract in t'e nae o" anot'er %it'o0t $ein!
a0t'ori;e# $( t'e latter) or 0nless 'e 'as $( la% a ri!'t to re&resent
'i.
A contract entere# into in t'e nae o" anot'er $( one %'o 'as no
a0t'orit( or le!al re&resentation) or %'o 'as acte# $e(on# 'is
&o%ers) s'all $e 0nen"orcea$le) 0nless it is rati"ie#) e8&ressl( or
i&lie#l() $( t'e &erson on %'ose $e'al" it 'as $een e8ec0te#)
$e"ore it is re*o3e# $( t'e ot'er contractin! &art(. +1,56a.

CHAPTER ,
ESSENTIAL RE<=ISITES O> CONTRACTS

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Art. 1314. T'ere is no contract 0nless t'e "ollo%in! re70isites
conc0r?
+1. Consent o" t'e contractin! &arties5
+,. O$9ect certain %'ic' is t'e s0$9ect atter o" t'e contract5
+3. Ca0se o" t'e o$li!ation %'ic' is esta$lis'e#. +1,/1.
SECTION 1. - Consent

Art. 1316. Consent is ani"este# $( t'e eetin! o" t'e o""er an# t'e
acce&tance 0&on t'e t'in! an# t'e ca0se %'ic' are to constit0te t'e
contract. T'e o""er 0st $e certain an# t'e acce&tance a$sol0te. A
70ali"ie# acce&tance constit0tes a co0nter-o""er.
Acce&tance a#e $( letter or tele!ra #oes not $in# t'e o""erer
e8ce&t "ro t'e tie it cae to 'is 3no%le#!e. T'e contract) in s0c'
a case) is &res0e# to 'a*e $een entere# into in t'e &lace %'ere t'e
o""er %as a#e. +1,/,a.
Art. 13,0. An acce&tance a( $e e8&ress or i&lie#.
Art. 13,1. T'e &erson a3in! t'e o""er a( "i8 t'e tie) &lace) an#
anner o" acce&tance) all o" %'ic' 0st $e co&lie# %it'.
Art. 13,,. An o""er a#e t'ro0!' an a!ent is acce&te# "ro t'e tie
acce&tance is co0nicate# to 'i.
Art. 13,3. An o""er $ecoes ine""ecti*e 0&on t'e #eat') ci*il
inter#iction) insanit() or insol*enc( o" eit'er &art( $e"ore acce&tance
is con*e(e#.
Art. 13,-. @'en t'e o""erer 'as allo%e# t'e o""eree a certain &erio#
to acce&t) t'e o""er a( $e %it'#ra%n at an( tie $e"ore acce&tance
$( co0nicatin! s0c' %it'#ra%al) e8ce&t %'en t'e o&tion is
"o0n#e# 0&on a consi#eration) as soet'in! &ai# or &roise#.
Art. 13,5. =nless it a&&ears ot'er%ise) $0siness a#*ertiseents o"
t'in!s "or sale are not #e"inite o""ers) $0t ere in*itations to a3e
an o""er.
Art. 13,/. A#*ertiseents "or $i##ers are si&l( in*itations to a3e
&ro&osals) an# t'e a#*ertiser is not $o0n# to acce&t t'e 'i!'est or
lo%est $i##er) 0nless t'e contrar( a&&ears.
Art. 13,1. T'e "ollo%in! cannot !i*e consent to a contract?
+1. =neanci&ate# inors5
+,. Insane or #eente# &ersons) an# #ea"-0tes %'o #o not
3no% 'o% to %rite. +1,/3a.
Art. 13,4. Contracts entere# into #0rin! a l0ci# inter*al are *ali#.
Contracts a!ree# to in a state o" #r0n3enness or #0rin! a '(&notic
s&ell are *oi#a$le.
Art. 13,6. T'e inca&acit( #eclare# in Article 13,1 is s0$9ect to t'e
o#i"ications #eterine# $( la%) an# is 0n#erstoo# to $e %it'o0t
&re90#ice to s&ecial #is70ali"ications esta$lis'e# in t'e la%s. +1,/-.
Art. 1330. A contract %'ere consent is !i*en t'ro0!' ista3e)
*iolence) intii#ation) 0n#0e in"l0ence) or "ra0# is *oi#a$le. +1,/5a.
Art. 1331. In or#er t'at ista3e a( in*ali#ate consent) it s'o0l#
re"er to t'e s0$stance o" t'e t'in! %'ic' is t'e o$9ect o" t'e
contract) or to t'ose con#itions %'ic' 'a*e &rinci&all( o*e# one or
$ot' &arties to enter into t'e contract.
:ista3e as to t'e i#entit( or 70ali"ications o" one o" t'e &arties %ill
*itiate consent onl( %'en s0c' i#entit( or 70ali"ications 'a*e $een
t'e &rinci&al ca0se o" t'e contract.
A si&le ista3e o" acco0nt s'all !i*e rise to its correction. +1,//a.
Art. 133,. @'en one o" t'e &arties is 0na$le to rea#) or i" t'e
contract is in a lan!0a!e not 0n#erstoo# $( 'i) an# ista3e or
"ra0# is alle!e#) t'e &erson en"orcin! t'e contract 0st s'o% t'at
t'e ters t'ereo" 'a*e $een "0ll( e8&laine# to t'e "orer.
Art. 1333. T'ere is no ista3e i" t'e &art( alle!in! it 3ne% t'e
#o0$t) contin!enc( or ris3 a""ectin! t'e o$9ect o" t'e contract.
Art. 133-. :0t0al error as to t'e le!al e""ect o" an a!reeent %'en
t'e real &0r&ose o" t'e &arties is "r0strate#) a( *itiate consent.
Art. 1335. T'ere is *iolence %'en in or#er to %rest consent) serio0s
or irresisti$le "orce is e&lo(e#.
T'ere is intii#ation %'en one o" t'e contractin! &arties is
co&elle# $( a reasona$le an# %ell-!ro0n#e# "ear o" an iinent
an# !ra*e e*il 0&on 'is &erson or &ro&ert() or 0&on t'e &erson or
&ro&ert( o" 'is s&o0se) #escen#ants or ascen#ants) to !i*e 'is
consent.
To #eterine t'e #e!ree o" intii#ation) t'e a!e) se8 an# con#ition
o" t'e &erson s'all $e $orne in in#.
A t'reat to en"orce oneAs clai t'ro0!' co&etent a0t'orit() i" t'e
clai is 90st or le!al) #oes not *itiate consent. +1,/1a.
Art. 133/. Violence or intii#ation s'all ann0l t'e o$li!ation)
alt'o0!' it a( 'a*e $een e&lo(e# $( a t'ir# &erson %'o #i# not
ta3e &art in t'e contract. +1,/4.
Art. 1331. T'ere is 0n#0e in"l0ence %'en a &erson ta3es i&ro&er
a#*anta!e o" 'is &o%er o*er t'e %ill o" anot'er) #e&ri*in! t'e latter
o" a reasona$le "ree#o o" c'oice. T'e "ollo%in! circ0stances s'all
$e consi#ere#? t'e con"i#ential) "ail() s&irit0al an# ot'er relations
$et%een t'e &arties) or t'e "act t'at t'e &erson alle!e# to 'a*e $een
0n#0l( in"l0ence# %as s0""erin! "ro ental %ea3ness) or %as
i!norant or in "inancial #istress.
Art. 1334. T'ere is "ra0# %'en) t'ro0!' insi#io0s %or#s or
ac'inations o" one o" t'e contractin! &arties) t'e ot'er is in#0ce#
to enter into a contract %'ic') %it'o0t t'e) 'e %o0l# not 'a*e
a!ree# to. +1,/6.
Art. 1336. >ail0re to #isclose "acts) %'en t'ere is a #0t( to re*eal
t'e) as %'en t'e &arties are $o0n# $( con"i#ential relations)
constit0tes "ra0#.
Art. 13-0. T'e 0s0al e8a!!erations in tra#e) %'en t'e ot'er &art(
'a# an o&&ort0nit( to 3no% t'e "acts) are not in t'esel*es
"ra0#0lent.
Art. 13-1. A ere e8&ression o" an o&inion #oes not si!ni"( "ra0#)
0nless a#e $( an e8&ert an# t'e ot'er &art( 'as relie# on t'e
"orerAs s&ecial 3no%le#!e.
Art. 13-,. :isre&resentation $( a t'ir# &erson #oes not *itiate
consent) 0nless s0c' isre&resentation 'as create# s0$stantial
ista3e an# t'e sae is 0t0al.
Art. 13-3. :isre&resentation a#e in !oo# "ait' is not "ra0#0lent $0t
a( constit0te error.
Art. 13--. In or#er t'at "ra0# a( a3e a contract *oi#a$le) it
s'o0l# $e serio0s an# s'o0l# not 'a*e $een e&lo(e# $( $ot'
contractin! &arties.
Inci#ental "ra0# onl( o$li!es t'e &erson e&lo(in! it to &a(
#aa!es. +1,10.
Art. 13-5. Si0lation o" a contract a( $e a$sol0te or relati*e. T'e
"orer ta3es &lace %'en t'e &arties #o not inten# to $e $o0n# at all5
t'e latter) %'en t'e &arties conceal t'eir tr0e a!reeent.
Art. 13-/. An a$sol0tel( si0late# or "ictitio0s contract is *oi#. A
relati*e si0lation) %'en it #oes not &re90#ice a t'ir# &erson an# is
not inten#e# "or an( &0r&ose contrar( to la%) orals) !oo# c0stos)
&0$lic or#er or &0$lic &olic( $in#s t'e &arties to t'eir real
a!reeent.

SECTION ,. - O$9ect o" Contracts

Art. 13-1. All t'in!s %'ic' are not o0tsi#e t'e coerce o" en)
incl0#in! "0t0re t'in!s) a( $e t'e o$9ect o" a contract. All ri!'ts
%'ic' are not intransissi$le a( also $e t'e o$9ect o" contracts.
No contract a( $e entere# into 0&on "0t0re in'eritance e8ce&t in
cases e8&ressl( a0t'ori;e# $( la%.
All ser*ices %'ic' are not contrar( to la%) orals) !oo# c0stos)
&0$lic or#er or &0$lic &olic( a( li3e%ise $e t'e o$9ect o" a contract.
+1,11a.
Art. 13-4. I&ossi$le t'in!s or ser*ices cannot $e t'e o$9ect o"
contracts. +1,1,.
Art. 13-6. T'e o$9ect o" e*er( contract 0st $e #eterinate as to its
3in#. T'e "act t'at t'e 70antit( is not #eterinate s'all not $e an
o$stacle to t'e e8istence o" t'e contract) &ro*i#e# it is &ossi$le to
#eterine t'e sae) %it'o0t t'e nee# o" a ne% contract $et%een
t'e &arties. +1,13.

SECTION 3. - Ca0se o" Contracts

Art. 1350. In onero0s contracts t'e ca0se is 0n#erstoo# to $e) "or
eac' contractin! &art() t'e &restation or &roise o" a t'in! or
ser*ice $( t'e ot'er5 in re0nerator( ones) t'e ser*ice or $ene"it
%'ic' is re0nerate#5 an# in contracts o" &0re $ene"icence) t'e
ere li$eralit( o" t'e $ene"actor. +1,1-.
Art. 1351. T'e &artic0lar oti*es o" t'e &arties in enterin! into a
contract are #i""erent "ro t'e ca0se t'ereo".
Art. 135,. Contracts %it'o0t ca0se) or %it' 0nla%"0l ca0se) &ro#0ce
no e""ect %'ate*er. T'e ca0se is 0nla%"0l i" it is contrar( to la%)
orals) !oo# c0stos) &0$lic or#er or &0$lic &olic(. +1,15a.
Art. 1353. T'e stateent o" a "alse ca0se in contracts s'all ren#er
t'e *oi#) i" it s'o0l# not $e &ro*e# t'at t'e( %ere "o0n#e# 0&on
anot'er ca0se %'ic' is tr0e an# la%"0l. +1,1/.
Art. 135-. Alt'o0!' t'e ca0se is not state# in t'e contract) it is
&res0e# t'at it e8ists an# is la%"0l) 0nless t'e #e$tor &ro*es t'e
contrar(. +1,11.
Art. 1355. E8ce&t in cases s&eci"ie# $( la%) lesion or ina#e70ac( o"
ca0se s'all not in*ali#ate a contract) 0nless t'ere 'as $een "ra0#)
ista3e or 0n#0e in"l0ence.

CHAPTER 3
>OR: O> CONTRACTS

Art. 135/. Contracts s'all $e o$li!ator() in %'ate*er "or t'e( a(
'a*e $een entere# into) &ro*i#e# all t'e essential re70isites "or t'eir
*ali#it( are &resent. Ho%e*er) %'en t'e la% re70ires t'at a contract
$e in soe "or in or#er t'at it a( $e *ali# or en"orcea$le) or t'at
a contract $e &ro*e# in a certain %a() t'at re70ireent is a$sol0te
an# in#is&ensa$le. In s0c' cases) t'e ri!'t o" t'e &arties state# in
t'e "ollo%in! article cannot $e e8ercise#. +1,14a.
Art. 1351. I" t'e la% re70ires a #oc0ent or ot'er s&ecial "or) as in
t'e acts an# contracts en0erate# in t'e "ollo%in! article) t'e
contractin! &arties a( co&el eac' ot'er to o$ser*e t'at "or)
once t'e contract 'as $een &er"ecte#. T'is ri!'t a( $e e8ercise#
si0ltaneo0sl( %it' t'e action 0&on t'e contract. +1,16a.
Art. 1354. T'e "ollo%in! 0st a&&ear in a &0$lic #oc0ent?
+1. Acts an# contracts %'ic' 'a*e "or t'eir o$9ect t'e creation)
transission) o#i"ication or e8tin!0is'ent o" real ri!'ts
o*er io*a$le &ro&ert(5 sales o" real &ro&ert( or o" an
interest t'erein a !o*erne# $( Articles 1-03) No. ,) an# 1-055
+,. T'e cession) re&0#iation or ren0nciation o" 'ere#itar(
ri!'ts or o" t'ose o" t'e con90!al &artners'i& o" !ains5
+3. T'e &o%er to a#inister &ro&ert() or an( ot'er &o%er
%'ic' 'as "or its o$9ect an act a&&earin! or %'ic' s'o0l#
a&&ear in a &0$lic #oc0ent) or s'o0l# &re90#ice a t'ir#
&erson5
+-. T'e cession o" actions or ri!'ts &rocee#in! "ro an act
a&&earin! in a &0$lic #oc0ent.
All ot'er contracts %'ere t'e ao0nt in*ol*e# e8cee#s "i*e '0n#re#
&esos 0st a&&ear in %ritin!) e*en a &ri*ate one. 20t sales o" !oo#s)
c'attels or t'in!s in action are !o*erne# $( Articles) 1-03) No. , an#
1-05. +1,40a.

CHAPTER -
RE>OR:ATION O> INSTR=:ENTS

Art. 1356. @'en) t'ere 'a*in! $een a eetin! o" t'e in#s o" t'e
&arties to a contract) t'eir tr0e intention is not e8&resse# in t'e
instr0ent &0r&ortin! to e$o#( t'e a!reeent) $( reason o"
ista3e) "ra0#) ine70ita$le con#0ct or acci#ent) one o" t'e &arties
a( as3 "or t'e re"oration o" t'e instr0ent to t'e en# t'at s0c'
tr0e intention a( $e e8&resse#.
I" ista3e) "ra0#) ine70ita$le con#0ct) or acci#ent 'as &re*ente# a
eetin! o" t'e in#s o" t'e &arties) t'e &ro&er ree#( is not
re"oration o" t'e instr0ent $0t ann0lent o" t'e contract.
Art. 13/0. T'e &rinci&les o" t'e !eneral la% on t'e re"oration o"
instr0ents are 'ere$( a#o&te# inso"ar as t'e( are not in con"lict
%it' t'e &ro*isions o" t'is Co#e.
Art. 13/1. @'en a 0t0al ista3e o" t'e &arties ca0ses t'e "ail0re o"
t'e instr0ent to #isclose t'eir real a!reeent) sai# instr0ent a(
$e re"ore#.
Art. 13/,. I" one &art( %as ista3en an# t'e ot'er acte#
"ra0#0lentl( or ine70ita$l( in s0c' a %a( t'at t'e instr0ent #oes
not s'o% t'eir tr0e intention) t'e "orer a( as3 "or t'e
re"oration o" t'e instr0ent.
Art. 13/3. @'en one &art( %as ista3en an# t'e ot'er 3ne% or
$elie*e# t'at t'e instr0ent #i# not state t'eir real a!reeent) $0t
conceale# t'at "act "ro t'e "orer) t'e instr0ent a( $e
re"ore#.
Art. 13/-. @'en t'ro0!' t'e i!norance) lac3 o" s3ill) ne!li!ence or
$a# "ait' on t'e &art o" t'e &erson #ra"tin! t'e instr0ent or o" t'e
cler3 or t(&ist) t'e instr0ent #oes not e8&ress t'e tr0e intention o"
t'e &arties) t'e co0rts a( or#er t'at t'e instr0ent $e re"ore#.
Art. 13/5. I" t%o &arties a!ree 0&on t'e ort!a!e or &le#!e o" real
or &ersonal &ro&ert() $0t t'e instr0ent states t'at t'e &ro&ert( is
sol# a$sol0tel( or %it' a ri!'t o" re&0rc'ase) re"oration o" t'e
instr0ent is &ro&er.
Art. 13//. T'ere s'all $e no re"oration in t'e "ollo%in! cases?
+1. Si&le #onations inter *i*os %'erein no con#ition is
i&ose#5
+,. @ills5
+3. @'en t'e real a!reeent is *oi#.
Art. 13/1. @'en one o" t'e &arties 'as $ro0!'t an action to en"orce
t'e instr0ent) 'e cannot s0$se70entl( as3 "or its re"oration.
Art. 13/4. Re"oration a( $e or#ere# at t'e instance o" eit'er
&art( or 'is s0ccessors in interest) i" t'e ista3e %as 0t0al5
ot'er%ise) 0&on &etition o" t'e in90re# &art() or 'is 'eirs an#
assi!ns.
Art. 13/6. T'e &roce#0re "or t'e re"oration o" instr0ent s'all $e
!o*erne# $( r0les o" co0rt to $e &ro0l!ate# $( t'e S0&ree Co0rt.

CHAPTER 5
INTERPRETATION O> CONTRACTS

Art. 1310. I" t'e ters o" a contract are clear an# lea*e no #o0$t
0&on t'e intention o" t'e contractin! &arties) t'e literal eanin! o"
its sti&0lations s'all control.
I" t'e %or#s a&&ear to $e contrar( to t'e e*i#ent intention o" t'e
&arties) t'e latter s'all &re*ail o*er t'e "orer. +1,41.
Art. 1311. In or#er to 90#!e t'e intention o" t'e contractin! &arties)
t'eir conte&oraneo0s an# s0$se70ent acts s'all $e &rinci&all(
consi#ere#. +1,4,.
Art. 131,. Ho%e*er !eneral t'e ters o" a contract a( $e) t'e(
s'all not $e 0n#erstoo# to co&re'en# t'in!s t'at are #istinct an#
cases t'at are #i""erent "ro t'ose 0&on %'ic' t'e &arties inten#e#
to a!ree. +1,43.
Art. 1313. I" soe sti&0lation o" an( contract s'o0l# a#it o" se*eral
eanin!s) it s'all $e 0n#erstoo# as $earin! t'at i&ort %'ic' is
ost a#e70ate to ren#er it e""ect0al. +1,4-.
Art. 131-. T'e *ario0s sti&0lations o" a contract s'all $e inter&rete#
to!et'er) attri$0tin! to t'e #o0$t"0l ones t'at sense %'ic' a(
res0lt "ro all o" t'e ta3en 9ointl(. +1,45.
Art. 1315. @or#s %'ic' a( 'a*e #i""erent si!ni"ications s'all $e
0n#erstoo# in t'at %'ic' is ost in 3ee&in! %it' t'e nat0re an#
o$9ect o" t'e contract. +1,4/.
Art. 131/. T'e 0sa!e or c0sto o" t'e &lace s'all $e $orne in in# in
t'e inter&retation o" t'e a$i!0ities o" a contract) an# s'all "ill t'e
oission o" sti&0lations %'ic' are or#inaril( esta$lis'e#. +1,41.
Art. 1311. T'e inter&retation o" o$sc0re %or#s or sti&0lations in a
contract s'all not "a*or t'e &art( %'o ca0se# t'e o$sc0rit(. +1,44.
Art. 1314. @'en it is a$sol0tel( i&ossi$le to settle #o0$ts $( t'e
r0les esta$lis'e# in t'e &rece#in! articles) an# t'e #o0$ts re"er to
inci#ental circ0stances o" a !rat0ito0s contract) t'e least
transission o" ri!'ts an# interests s'all &re*ail. I" t'e contract is
onero0s) t'e #o0$t s'all $e settle# in "a*or o" t'e !reatest
reci&rocit( o" interests.
I" t'e #o0$ts are cast 0&on t'e &rinci&al o$9ect o" t'e contract in
s0c' a %a( t'at it cannot $e 3no%n %'at a( 'a*e $een t'e
intention or %ill o" t'e &arties) t'e contract s'all $e n0ll an# *oi#.
+1,46.
Art. 1316. T'e &rinci&les o" inter&retation state# in R0le 1,3 o" t'e
R0les o" Co0rt s'all li3e%ise $e o$ser*e# in t'e constr0ction o"
contracts.

CHAPTER /
RESCISSI2LE CONTRACTS

Art. 1340. Contracts *ali#l( a!ree# 0&on a( $e rescin#e# in t'e
cases esta$lis'e# $( la%. +1,60.
Art. 1341. T'e "ollo%in! contracts are rescissi$le?
+1. T'ose %'ic' are entere# into $( !0ar#ians %'ene*er t'e
%ar#s %'o t'e( re&resent s0""er lesion $( ore t'an one-
"o0rt' o" t'e *al0e o" t'e t'in!s %'ic' are t'e o$9ect t'ereo"5
+,. T'ose a!ree# 0&on in re&resentation o" a$sentees) i" t'e
latter s0""er t'e lesion state# in t'e &rece#in! n0$er5
+3. T'ose 0n#erta3en in "ra0# o" cre#itors %'en t'e latter
cannot in an( ot'er anner collect t'e clais #0e t'e5
+-. T'ose %'ic' re"er to t'in!s 0n#er liti!ation i" t'e( 'a*e
$een entere# into $( t'e #e"en#ant %it'o0t t'e 3no%le#!e an#
a&&ro*al o" t'e liti!ants or o" co&etent 90#icial a0t'orit(5
+5. All ot'er contracts s&eciall( #eclare# $( la% to $e s0$9ect
to rescission. +1,61a.
Art. 134,. Pa(ents a#e in a state o" insol*enc( "or o$li!ations to
%'ose "0l"illent t'e #e$tor co0l# not $e co&elle# at t'e tie t'e(
%ere e""ecte#) are also rescissi$le. +1,6,.
Art. 1343. T'e action "or rescission is s0$si#iar(5 it cannot $e
instit0te# e8ce&t %'en t'e &art( s0""erin! #aa!e 'as no ot'er
le!al eans to o$tain re&aration "or t'e sae. +1,6-.
Art. 134-. Rescission s'all $e onl( to t'e e8tent necessar( to co*er
t'e #aa!es ca0se#.
Art. 1345. Rescission creates t'e o$li!ation to ret0rn t'e t'in!s
%'ic' %ere t'e o$9ect o" t'e contract) to!et'er %it' t'eir "r0its) an#
t'e &rice %it' its interest5 conse70entl() it can $e carrie# o0t onl(
%'en 'e %'o #ean#s rescission can ret0rn %'ate*er 'e a( $e
o$li!e# to restore.
Neit'er s'all rescission ta3e &lace %'en t'e t'in!s %'ic' are t'e
o$9ect o" t'e contract are le!all( in t'e &ossession o" t'ir# &ersons
%'o #i# not act in $a# "ait'.
In t'is case) in#enit( "or #aa!es a( $e #ean#e# "ro t'e
&erson ca0sin! t'e loss. +1,65.
Art. 134/. Rescission re"erre# to in Nos. 1 an# , o" Article 1341 s'all
not ta3e &lace %it' res&ect to contracts a&&ro*e# $( t'e co0rts.
+1,6/a.
Art. 1341. All contracts $( *irt0e o" %'ic' t'e #e$tor alienates
&ro&ert( $( !rat0ito0s title are &res0e# to 'a*e $een entere# into
in "ra0# o" cre#itors) %'en t'e #onor #i# not reser*e s0""icient
&ro&ert( to &a( all #e$ts contracte# $e"ore t'e #onation.
Alienations $( onero0s title are also &res0e# "ra0#0lent %'en
a#e $( &ersons a!ainst %'o soe 90#!ent 'as $een iss0e#.
T'e #ecision or attac'ent nee# not re"er to t'e &ro&ert( alienate#)
an# nee# not 'a*e $een o$taine# $( t'e &art( see3in! t'e
rescission.
In a##ition to t'ese &res0&tions) t'e #esi!n to #e"ra0# cre#itors
a( $e &ro*e# in an( ot'er anner reco!ni;e# $( t'e la% o"
e*i#ence. +1,61a.
Art. 1344. @'oe*er ac70ires in $a# "ait' t'e t'in!s alienate# in
"ra0# o" cre#itors) s'all in#eni"( t'e latter "or #aa!es s0""ere# $(
t'e on acco0nt o" t'e alienation) %'ene*er) #0e to an( ca0se) it
s'o0l# $e i&ossi$le "or 'i to ret0rn t'e.
I" t'ere are t%o or ore alienations) t'e "irst ac70irer s'all $e lia$le
"irst) an# so on s0ccessi*el(. +1,64a.
Art. 1346. T'e action to clai rescission 0st $e coence# %it'in
"o0r (ears.
>or &ersons 0n#er !0ar#ians'i& an# "or a$sentees) t'e &erio# o" "o0r
(ears s'all not $e!in 0ntil t'e terination o" t'e "orerAs inca&acit()
or 0ntil t'e #oicile o" t'e latter is 3no%n. +1,66.

CHAPTER 1
VOIBA2LE CONTRACTS

Art. 1360. T'e "ollo%in! contracts are *oi#a$le or ann0lla$le) e*en
t'o0!' t'ere a( 'a*e $een no #aa!e to t'e contractin! &arties?
+1. T'ose %'ere one o" t'e &arties is inca&a$le o" !i*in!
consent to a contract5
+,. T'ose %'ere t'e consent is *itiate# $( ista3e) *iolence)
intii#ation) 0n#0e in"l0ence or "ra0#.
T'ese contracts are $in#in!) 0nless t'e( are ann0lle# $( a &ro&er
action in co0rt. T'e( are s0sce&ti$le o" rati"ication.
Art. 1361. T'e action "or ann0lent s'all $e $ro0!'t %it'in "o0r
(ears.
T'is &erio# s'all $e!in?
In cases o" intii#ation) *iolence or 0n#0e in"l0ence) "ro t'e
tie t'e #e"ect o" t'e consent ceases.
In case o" ista3e or "ra0#) "ro t'e tie o" t'e #isco*er( o"
t'e sae.
An# %'en t'e action re"ers to contracts entere# into $( inors or
ot'er inca&acitate# &ersons) "ro t'e tie t'e !0ar#ians'i& ceases.
+1301a.
Art. 136,. Rati"ication e8tin!0is'es t'e action to ann0l a *oi#a$le
contract. +1306a.
Art. 1363. Rati"ication a( $e e""ecte# e8&ressl( or tacitl(. It is
0n#erstoo# t'at t'ere is a tacit rati"ication i") %it' 3no%le#!e o" t'e
reason %'ic' ren#ers t'e contract *oi#a$le an# s0c' reason 'a*in!
cease#) t'e &erson %'o 'as a ri!'t to in*o3e it s'o0l# e8ec0te an
act %'ic' necessaril( i&lies an intention to %ai*e 'is ri!'t.
+1311a.
Art. 136-. Rati"ication a( $e e""ecte# $( t'e !0ar#ian o" t'e
inca&acitate# &erson.
Art. 1365. Rati"ication #oes not re70ire t'e con"orit( o" t'e
contractin! &art( %'o 'as no ri!'t to $rin! t'e action "or ann0lent.
+131,.
Art. 136/. Rati"ication cleanses t'e contract "ro all its #e"ects "ro
t'e oent it %as constit0te#. +1313.
Art. 1361. T'e action "or t'e ann0lent o" contracts a( $e
instit0te# $( all %'o are t'ere$( o$li!e# &rinci&all( or s0$si#iaril(.
Ho%e*er) &ersons %'o are ca&a$le cannot alle!e t'e inca&acit( o"
t'ose %it' %'o t'e( contracte#5 nor can t'ose %'o e8erte#
intii#ation) *iolence) or 0n#0e in"l0ence) or e&lo(e# "ra0#) or
ca0se# ista3e $ase t'eir action 0&on t'ese "la%s o" t'e contract.
+130,a.
Art. 1364. An o$li!ation 'a*in! $een ann0lle#) t'e contractin!
&arties s'all restore to eac' ot'er t'e t'in!s %'ic' 'a*e $een t'e
s0$9ect atter o" t'e contract) %it' t'eir "r0its) an# t'e &rice %it'
its interest) e8ce&t in cases &ro*i#e# $( la%.
In o$li!ations to ren#er ser*ice) t'e *al0e t'ereo" s'all $e t'e $asis
"or #aa!es. +1303a.
Art. 1366. @'en t'e #e"ect o" t'e contract consists in t'e inca&acit(
o" one o" t'e &arties) t'e inca&acitate# &erson is not o$li!e# to a3e
an( restit0tion e8ce&t inso"ar as 'e 'as $een $ene"ite# $( t'e t'in!
or &rice recei*e# $( 'i. +130-.
Art. 1-00. @'ene*er t'e &erson o$li!e# $( t'e #ecree o" ann0lent
to ret0rn t'e t'in! can not #o so $eca0se it 'as $een lost t'ro0!'
'is "a0lt) 'e s'all ret0rn t'e "r0its recei*e# an# t'e *al0e o" t'e
t'in! at t'e tie o" t'e loss) %it' interest "ro t'e sae #ate.
+1301a.
Art. 1-01. T'e action "or ann0lent o" contracts s'all $e
e8tin!0is'e# %'en t'e t'in! %'ic' is t'e o$9ect t'ereo" is lost
t'ro0!' t'e "ra0# or "a0lt o" t'e &erson %'o 'as a ri!'t to instit0te
t'e &rocee#in!s.
I" t'e ri!'t o" action is $ase# 0&on t'e inca&acit( o" an( one o" t'e
contractin! &arties) t'e loss o" t'e t'in! s'all not $e an o$stacle to
t'e s0ccess o" t'e action) 0nless sai# loss too3 &lace t'ro0!' t'e
"ra0# or "a0lt o" t'e &lainti"". +131-a.
Art. 1-0,. As lon! as one o" t'e contractin! &arties #oes not restore
%'at in *irt0e o" t'e #ecree o" ann0lent 'e is $o0n# to ret0rn) t'e
ot'er cannot $e co&elle# to co&l( %it' %'at is inc0$ent 0&on
'i. +1304.

CHAPTER 4
=NEN>ORCEA2LE CONTRACTS

Art. 1-03. T'e "ollo%in! contracts are 0nen"orcea$le) 0nless t'e(
are rati"ie#?
+1. T'ose entere# into in t'e nae o" anot'er &erson $( one
%'o 'as $een !i*en no a0t'orit( or le!al re&resentation) or
%'o 'as acte# $e(on# 'is &o%ers5
+,. T'ose t'at #o not co&l( %it' t'e Stat0te o" >ra0#s as set
"ort' in t'is n0$er. In t'e "ollo%in! cases an a!reeent
'erea"ter a#e s'all $e 0nen"orcea$le $( action) 0nless t'e
sae) or soe note or eoran#0) t'ereo") $e in %ritin!)
an# s0$scri$e# $( t'e &art( c'ar!e#) or $( 'is a!ent5 e*i#ence)
t'ere"ore) o" t'e a!reeent cannot $e recei*e# %it'o0t t'e
%ritin!) or a secon#ar( e*i#ence o" its contents?
+a. An a!reeent t'at $( its ters is not to $e &er"ore#
%it'in a (ear "ro t'e a3in! t'ereo"5
+$. A s&ecial &roise to ans%er "or t'e #e$t) #e"a0lt) or
iscarria!e o" anot'er5
+c. An a!reeent a#e in consi#eration o" arria!e)
ot'er t'an a 0t0al &roise to arr(5
+#. An a!reeent "or t'e sale o" !oo#s) c'attels or t'in!s
in action) at a &rice not less t'an "i*e '0n#re# &esos)
0nless t'e $0(er acce&t an# recei*e &art o" s0c' !oo#s
an# c'attels) or t'e e*i#ences) or soe o" t'e) o" s0c'
t'in!s in action or &a( at t'e tie soe &art o" t'e
&0rc'ase one(5 $0t %'en a sale is a#e $( a0ction an#
entr( is a#e $( t'e a0ctioneer in 'is sales $oo3) at t'e
tie o" t'e sale) o" t'e ao0nt an# 3in# o" &ro&ert( sol#)
ters o" sale) &rice) naes o" t'e &0rc'asers an# &erson
on %'ose acco0nt t'e sale is a#e) it is a s0""icient
eoran#05
+e. An a!reeent o" t'e leasin! "or a lon!er &erio# t'an
one (ear) or "or t'e sale o" real &ro&ert( or o" an interest
t'erein5
+". A re&resentation as to t'e cre#it o" a t'ir# &erson.
+3. T'ose %'ere $ot' &arties are inca&a$le o" !i*in! consent to
a contract.
Art. 1-0-. =na0t'ori;e# contracts are !o*erne# $( Article 1311 an#
t'e &rinci&les o" a!enc( in Title C o" t'is 2oo3.
Art. 1-05. Contracts in"rin!in! t'e Stat0te o" >ra0#s) re"erre# to in
No. , o" Article 1-03) are rati"ie# $( t'e "ail0re to o$9ect to t'e
&resentation o" oral e*i#ence to &ro*e t'e sae) or $( t'e
acce&tance o" $ene"it 0n#er t'e.
Art. 1-0/. @'en a contract is en"orcea$le 0n#er t'e Stat0te o"
>ra0#s) an# a &0$lic #oc0ent is necessar( "or its re!istration in t'e
Re!istr( o" Bee#s) t'e &arties a( a*ail t'esel*es o" t'e ri!'t
0n#er Article 1351.
Art. 1-01. In a contract %'ere $ot' &arties are inca&a$le o" !i*in!
consent) e8&ress or i&lie# rati"ication $( t'e &arent) or !0ar#ian)
as t'e case a( $e) o" one o" t'e contractin! &arties s'all !i*e t'e
contract t'e sae e""ect as i" onl( one o" t'e %ere inca&acitate#.
I" rati"ication is a#e $( t'e &arents or !0ar#ians) as t'e case a(
$e) o" $ot' contractin! &arties) t'e contract s'all $e *ali#ate# "ro
t'e ince&tion.
Art. 1-04. =nen"orcea$le contracts cannot $e assaile# $( t'ir#
&ersons.

CHAPTER 6
VOIB ANB INECISTENT CONTRACTS

Art. 1-06. T'e "ollo%in! contracts are ine8istent an# *oi# "ro t'e
$e!innin!?
+1. T'ose %'ose ca0se) o$9ect or &0r&ose is contrar( to la%)
orals) !oo# c0stos) &0$lic or#er or &0$lic &olic(5
+,. T'ose %'ic' are a$sol0tel( si0late# or "ictitio0s5
+3. T'ose %'ose ca0se or o$9ect #i# not e8ist at t'e tie o" t'e
transaction5
+-. T'ose %'ose o$9ect is o0tsi#e t'e coerce o" en5
+5. T'ose %'ic' conte&late an i&ossi$le ser*ice5
+/. T'ose %'ere t'e intention o" t'e &arties relati*e to t'e
&rinci&al o$9ect o" t'e contract cannot $e ascertaine#5
+1. T'ose e8&ressl( &ro'i$ite# or #eclare# *oi# $( la%.
T'ese contracts cannot $e rati"ie#. Neit'er can t'e ri!'t to set 0&
t'e #e"ense o" ille!alit( $e %ai*e#.
Art. 1-10. T'e action or #e"ense "or t'e #eclaration o" t'e
ine8istence o" a contract #oes not &rescri$e.
Art. 1-11. @'en t'e n0llit( &rocee#s "ro t'e ille!alit( o" t'e ca0se
or o$9ect o" t'e contract) an# t'e act constit0tes a criinal o""ense)
$ot' &arties $ein! in &ari #elicto) t'e( s'all 'a*e no action a!ainst
eac' ot'er) an# $ot' s'all $e &rosec0te#. :oreo*er) t'e &ro*isions
o" t'e Penal Co#e relati*e to t'e #is&osal o" e""ects or instr0ents o"
a crie s'all $e a&&lica$le to t'e t'in!s or t'e &rice o" t'e contract.
T'is r0le s'all $e a&&lica$le %'en onl( one o" t'e &arties is !0ilt(5
$0t t'e innocent one a( clai %'at 'e 'as !i*en) an# s'all not $e
$o0n# to co&l( %it' 'is &roise. +1305.
Art. 1-1,. I" t'e act in %'ic' t'e 0nla%"0l or "or$i##en ca0se
consists #oes not constit0te a criinal o""ense) t'e "ollo%in! r0les
s'all $e o$ser*e#?
+1. @'en t'e "a0lt is on t'e &art o" $ot' contractin! &arties)
neit'er a( reco*er %'at 'e 'as !i*en $( *irt0e o" t'e
contract) or #ean# t'e &er"orance o" t'e ot'erAs
0n#erta3in!5
+,. @'en onl( one o" t'e contractin! &arties is at "a0lt) 'e
cannot reco*er %'at 'e 'as !i*en $( reason o" t'e contract) or
as3 "or t'e "0l"illent o" %'at 'as $een &roise# 'i. T'e
ot'er) %'o is not at "a0lt) a( #ean# t'e ret0rn o" %'at 'e
'as !i*en %it'o0t an( o$li!ation to co&l( 'is &roise. +130/.
Art. 1-13. Interest &ai# in e8cess o" t'e interest allo%e# $( t'e
0s0r( la%s a( $e reco*ere# $( t'e #e$tor) %it' interest t'ereon
"ro t'e #ate o" t'e &a(ent.
Art. 1-1-. @'en one( is &ai# or &ro&ert( #eli*ere# "or an ille!al
&0r&ose) t'e contract a( $e re&0#iate# $( one o" t'e &arties $e"ore
t'e &0r&ose 'as $een acco&lis'e#) or $e"ore an( #aa!e 'as $een
ca0se# to a t'ir# &erson. In s0c' case) t'e co0rts a() i" t'e &0$lic
interest %ill t'0s $e s0$ser*e#) allo% t'e &art( re&0#iatin! t'e
contract to reco*er t'e one( or &ro&ert(.
Art. 1-15. @'ere one o" t'e &arties to an ille!al contract is inca&a$le
o" !i*in! consent) t'e co0rts a() i" t'e interest o" 90stice so
#ean#s allo% reco*er( o" one( or &ro&ert( #eli*ere# $( t'e
inca&acitate# &erson.
Art. 1-1/. @'en t'e a!reeent is not ille!al &er se $0t is erel(
&ro'i$ite#) an# t'e &ro'i$ition $( t'e la% is #esi!nate# "or t'e
&rotection o" t'e &lainti"") 'e a() i" &0$lic &olic( is t'ere$(
en'ance#) reco*er %'at 'e 'as &ai# or #eli*ere#.
Art. 1-11. @'en t'e &rice o" an( article or coo#it( is #eterine#
$( stat0te) or $( a0t'orit( o" la%) an( &erson &a(in! an( ao0nt in
e8cess o" t'e a8i0 &rice allo%e# a( reco*er s0c' e8cess.
Art. 1-14. @'en t'e la% "i8es) or a0t'ori;es t'e "i8in! o" t'e
a8i0 n0$er o" 'o0rs o" la$or) an# a contract is entere# into
%'ere$( a la$orer 0n#erta3es to %or3 lon!er t'an t'e a8i0
t'0s "i8e#) 'e a( #ean# a##itional co&ensation "or ser*ice
ren#ere# $e(on# t'e tie liit.
Art. 1-16. @'en t'e la% sets) or a0t'ori;es t'e settin! o" a
ini0 %a!e "or la$orers) an# a contract is a!ree# 0&on $( %'ic'
a la$orer acce&ts a lo%er %a!e) 'e s'all $e entitle# to reco*er t'e
#e"icienc(.
Art. 1-,0. In case o" a #i*isi$le contract) i" t'e ille!al ters can $e
se&arate# "ro t'e le!al ones) t'e latter a( $e en"orce#.
Art. 1-,1. T'e #e"ense o" ille!alit( o" contract is not a*aila$le to
t'ir# &ersons %'ose interests are not #irectl( a""ecte#.
Art. 1-,,. A contract %'ic' is t'e #irect res0lt o" a &re*io0s ille!al
contract) is also *oi# an# ine8istent.