Goto Main Content
:::

Chapter Law Content

Title: Civil Code CH
Category: Ministry of Justice(法務部)
Part Ⅰ General Principles
Chapter Ⅰ 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 Ⅰ 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 end of the catastrophe.
Article 9
A person who had been declared dead is presumed to be dead at the date fixed in the judgment.
In the absence of proof to the contrary, the time of death specified in the preceding paragraph shall be the date of expiration of the period specified in the preceding article.
Article 10
The property of an absent person, after his absence and up to the declaration of death, shall be administered according to the Family Act.
Article 11
When there have been two or more persons perished in a catastrophe and if the sequence of their death could not be proven, they are presumed to be dead simultaneously.
Article 12
Majority is attained upon reaching the eighteenth year of age.
Article 13
The minor, who has not reached their seventh year of age, has no capacity to make juridical acts.
The minor, who is over seven years of age, has a limited capacity to make juridical acts.
Article 14
With respect to any person who is not able to make declaration of intention, receive declaration of intention, or who lacks the ability to discern the outcome of the declaration of intention due to mental disability, the court may order the commencement of guardianship at the request of the person in question, his/her spouse, any relative within the fourth degree of kinship, a prosecutor, a competent authority, an organization of social welfare, an assistant, an agent of adult guardianship by agreement or any other interested person.
When the cause of guardianship ceases to exist, the court must revoke the order of the commencement of guardianship at the request of the applicant set forth in previous paragraph.
The court may order the commencement of assistantship, based on paragraph 1 of Article 15-1, if application of commencement of guardianship does not meet the requirement enforced in paragraph 1 of this Article.
If the cause of guardianship ceases to exist, yet assistantship is necessary, the court, based on paragraph 1 of Article 15, may order the commencement of assistantship to replace the commencement of guardianship.
Article 15
A person who has become subject to the order of the commencement of guardianship has no capacity to perform any juristic act.
Article 15-1
With respect to any person who has insufficient capacity to make declaration of intention, receive declaration of intention, or who lacks the ability to discern the outcome of the declaration of intention due to mental disability, the court may order the commencement of assistance at the request of the person in question, his/her spouse, any relative within the fourth degree of kinship, a prosecutor, a competent authority or an organization of social welfare.
When the cause of assistance ceases to exist, the court must revoke the order of the commencement of guardianship at the request of the applicant set forth in previous paragraph.
If a person who is the subject to the order of commencement of assistance is in need of guardianship, the court, under paragraph 1 of Article 14, may change the order to the commencement of guardianship.
Article 15-2
A person under assistance must obtain the consent of his/her assistant if he/she intends to perform any of the following acts; provided, however, that, this shall not apply to any act relating to pure legal benefit or the necessity based on the person’s age, status, and daily life
(1) being a responsible person of a sole proprietorship, of a partnership company, or of a juristic person;
(2) making loans for consumption, consumption deposit, a guaranty, a gift, or a trust;
(3) taking any procedural action;
(4) agreeing to compromise, conciliation, adjustment, or signing arbitration contract;
(5) performing any act with the purpose of obtaining or relinquishing any right regarding real estate, vessels, aircrafts, vehicles, or other valuable property;
(6) performing partition of the inheritance, legacy, waiving the right to inheritance, or any other related right;
(7) performing any other act, at the request of the person or his/her assistant, appointed by the court under previous provision.
The provisions of Articles 78 to 83 shall apply mutatis mutandis to conditions not agreed by assistant according to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.
The provision of Article 85 shall apply mutatis mutandis to acts, agreed by the assistant and under section 1 of paragraph 1, performed by a person under assistance.
With respect to any act which requires the consent of the assistant under paragraph 1, if the assistant does not give consent in cases where the interest of the person under assistance is unlikely to be prejudiced, the court may, at the request of the person under assistance, give permission.
Article 16
No one shall be permitted to waive his legal capacity or capacity to make juridical acts.
Article 17
No one shall be permitted to waive his liberty.
Any limitation to liberty shall not be against public policy or morals.
Article 18
When one's personality is infringed, one may apply to the court for removing. When one's personality is in danger of being infringed, one may apply for prevention.
In the preceding paragraph, an action for damages for emotional distress may be brought only it is otherwise provided by the act.
Article 19
If one's right to use his name is infringed, one may apply to the court for removing of infringement and for damages for emotional distress.
Article 20
A person who resides in a place with the intention of remaining there permanently, upon presence of supporting fact, is to establish his domicile at that place.
Every person has at all times one domicile, and no person has more than one domicile at a time.
Article 21
The domicile of a person who has no or is limited in capacity to make juridical acts is the domicile of his guardian.
Article 22
A person's residence is deemed to be his/her domicile in either of the following circumstances
(1) when his/her domicile cannot be certified.
(2) when he/she has no domicile in Taiwan except when lex domicilli governs.
Article 23
Where a person has chosen a residence for a specific purpose, the residence is deemed to be his domicile with regard to that purpose.
Article 24
A person, who has left his domicile with the intention of repealing it, upon presence of supporting fact, is to repeal the domicile.
Section Ⅱ Juridical Persons
Sub-section Ⅰ General Provisions
Article 25
A juridical person is established only according to this code or any other acts.
Article 26
Within the limits prescribed by acts and regulations, a juridical person is capable of enjoy rights and assume duties with the exception of those rights and obligations which are exclusively appertaining to natural persons.
Article 27
A juridical person must have at least one director. If there is more than one director, the execution of affairs of the juridical person shall be decided by a majority of all directors unless otherwise provided by its bylaw.
The director represents the juridical person within the management of its affairs. If there is more than one director, each director may represent the juridical person unless otherwise provided by its bylaw.
No restriction imposed upon the representative right of a director may be a valid defense against any bona fide third party.
A juridical person may have one or more controllers to control the execution of its affairs. If there is more than one controller, each controller may exercise his right of control respectively unless otherwise provided by its bylaw.
Article 28
A juridical person is jointly liable with the wrongdoer for the injury caused by its directors or other persons who are entitled to represent the juridical person in the performance of their duties.
Article 29
The domicile of a juridical person is the location of its principal office.
Article 30
A juridical person can not be established unless it has been registered with the authorities concerned.
Article 31
If a juridical person, after its registration, fails to register any entry which should have been registered, or to register any amendment to any of the entries already registered, such entry or amendment therein should not be a valid defense against any third party.
Article 32
The activities of a licensed juridical person are subject to the supervision of the authorities concerned. The authorities concerned may examine the juridical person's financial situation and ascertain whether it has violated the conditions of the license and other legal requirements.
Article 33
The director or controller of a licensed juridical person who disobeys the supervising order of, or obstructs the inspection by the authorities concerned, may be punished with a fine not exceeding five thousand Yuan.
If the director or controller set forth in the preceding paragraph violates the act, regulation, or bylaw to such an extent that may endanger interests of the public or the juridical person, the authorities concerned may apply to the court for dismissing his position and make other necessary arrangement.
Article 34
If a juridical person violates any conditions under which the license has been granted, the authorities concerned may revoke the license to the juridical person.
Article 35
When a juridical person is in a state of insolvent, the director shall immediately apply to the court for the declaration of bankruptcy.
If the director fails to make the preceding application, so that the creditors of the juridical person incur the injury, he who is negligent shall be liable for the injury. If more than one director is negligent, they shall be liable for the injury jointly.
Article 36
When the purpose or the activity of a juridical person violates the act, public policy or morals, the court may declare to dissolve the juridical person upon the application of the authorities concerned, the public prosecutor, or any interested person.
Article 37
The liquidation of a dissolved juridical person shall be dealt with by its director, unless otherwise provided its bylaw or by the resolution of the general meeting of members.
Article 38
If the appointment of the liquidator cannot be made under the preceding article, the court may appoint the liquidator by its authority or upon the application of the authorities concerned, public prosecutor, or interested person.
Article 39
Whenever necessary, the court may discharge the liquidator from his duties.
Article 40
A liquidator shall do the following duties:
(1) Wind up the business or affairs of the juridical person.
(2) Claim the obligatory rights and discharge the debts.
(3) Deliver the remaining assets to the persons entitled thereto.
The dissolved juridical person, before the end of its liquidation, is deemed to continue existence insofar as it is necessary for the liquidation.
Article 41
Unless otherwise provided by this General Provisions, the procedure of liquidation shall be carried out in conformity mutatis mutandis with the provisions governing the liquidation of a company limited by shares.
Article 42
The liquidation of a juridical person shall be subject to the supervision of the court. The court may at any time make inspection and disposition necessary for its supervision.
Whenever to revoke the license to or order the dissolution of a juridical person, the authorities concern shall notify the court simultaneously.
If a juridical person was dissolved in accordance with its bylaw or the resolution of its general meeting of members, the director shall report to the court within fifteen days after the dissolution.
Article 43
A liquidator who violates the supervising order of the court or obstructs the inspection of the court may be punished with a fine not exceeding five thousand Yuan. A director who violates the provision in the third paragraph of the preceding article may be punished with the same fine.
Article 44
After a juridical person has been dissolved and its debts have been discharged, unless otherwise provided by the act, the remaining assets shall be assigned according to its bylaw, or the resolution of the general meeting of members. Upon the dissolution of a charitable juridical person, its remaining assets shall not be assigned to any natural person or profit-seeking group.
Without such provisions in the act, in the bylaw, or of a resolution of the general meeting of members as provided in the preceding paragraph, the remaining assets of a juridical person shall be assigned to the municipal corporation in which the juridical person is domiciled.
Sub-section Ⅱ Corporations
Article 45
A business corporation acquires juridical personality according to the particular act.
Article 46
Before the registration, a charitable corporation shall obtain the license of its authorities concerned.
Article 47
Those who want to establish a corporation shall draw up its bylaw which shall contain the following entries:
(1) Purpose;
(2) Name;
(3) The number, term of office, appointment and dismissal of the director; and same of the controller, if any;
(4) The conditions and procedures for calling the general meeting of members and the method for authentication of its resolution;
(5) The contributions of the members;
(6) The acquisition and loss of membership;
(7) The date of the bylaw be drawn up;
Article 48
When a corporation is established, the following entries shall be registered:
(1) Purpose;
(2) Name;
(3) The principal and branch offices;
(4) The name and domicile of the director; and same of the controller, if any;
(5) The total assets;
(6) The date of the license, if the corporation should be licensed;
(7) The way of contributions, if any;
(8) The name of the director who represents the juridical person, if any;
(9) The period of duration, if any;
The application for the registration of a corporation shall be submitted by the director to the authorities concerned where its principal and branch offices are located. A copy of its bylaw shall be annexed to the application for registration.
Article 49
Without violating the provisions of articles 50 to 58, the bylaw may provide for the organization of the corporation and the relations between the corporation and its members.
Article 50
The supreme organ of a corporation is the general meeting of its members.
The following entries shall be passed by the resolution of the general meeting of members:
(1) The alteration of the bylaw;
(2) The appointment and dismissal of the director and the controller;
(3) The supervision of the director and the controller in doing of their duties;
(4) The removal of members for good causes.
Article 51
The general meeting of members shall be called at least once a year by the director; if the director does not call the general meeting, the controller may call it.
When over one-tenth of the members of a corporation request the director to call a general meeting, expressing the purpose of the meeting and the reason for its calling, the director shall call the meeting accordingly.
After the receipt of above request, if the director does not call the meeting within one month, the member, who have made the request, with the authorization of the court, may call the meeting.
The notice of calling, unless otherwise provided by the bylaw, shall be given to the members 30days in advance. The agenda of the general meeting shall be specified in the notice.
Article 52
Unless otherwise provided by this Code, the resolution of the general meeting of members shall be passed if it passed by a majority of its members present.
The voting right of each member is equal.
Unless otherwise limited by the bylaw, a member may delegate another with a written document to exercise his voting right, but each person may act as proxy for one member only.
Any member who has conflict of interests in the matter under resolution of the general meeting of members which may damage the corporation shall not vote or exercise as a proxy to vote.
Article 53
The resolution concerning the alteration of the bylaw of a corporation shall be passed at a meeting at which the majority of the members of the corporation are present, and by a majority of over three-fourths of the members present, or when over two-thirds of the members of the corporation declare their consent in writing.
The alteration of the bylaw of a licensed corporation shall be approved by the authorities concerned.
Article 54
The members may withdraw from the corporation at any time unless the bylaw requires that the members have to remain until the end of the business year, or the expiration of notice period of withdrawal.
The period of notice in the preceding paragraph shall not exceed six months.
Article 55
The member who is withdrew or dismissed has no claim for the property of the corporation unless otherwise provided by the bylaw of a non-charitable corporation.
The member in the preceding paragraph continues to be liable for his share of the contributions which has become due before his withdrawal or dismissal.
Article 56
If the calling procedure or the method of a resolution of a general meeting of members violates the act, regulations, or the bylaw of the corporation, any member may apply to the court to revoke the resolution within three months after the resolution, except the member who was present and did not make objection against the calling procedure or the method of the resolution at the meeting.
The content of the resolution passed by the general meeting of members which violates the act, regulations, or the bylaw of the corporation shall be void.
Article 57
A corporation may be dissolved, at any time, by a resolution of the general meeting of members passed by a majority vote of over two-thirds of the members of the corporation.
Article 58
When the affairs of a corporation can not be proceeded any more according to its bylaw, the corporation may be dissolved by the court upon the application of the authorities concerned, public prosecutor, or any interested person.
Sub-section Ⅲ Foundation
Article 59
Before registration, a foundation shall be licensed by the authorities concerned.
Article 60
Those who want to establish a foundation shall draw up an act of endowment, except in the case of endowment by will.
The act of endowment shall provide the purpose of the foundation and the assets endowed.
When a foundation is established with endowment by will, and there is no executor, the court may appoint an executor upon the application of the authorities concerned, public prosecutor, or any interested person.
Article 61
When a foundation is established, the following entries shall be registered:
(1) Purpose;
(2) Name;
(3) The principal and branch offices;
(4) The total assets;
(5) The date of the license;
(6) The name and domicile of the director, and same of the controller, if any;
(7) The name of the director who represents the juridical person, if any;
(8) The period of duration, if any.
The application for the registration of a foundation shall be submitted by the director to the authorities concerned of the place where its principal and branch offices are located. A copy of its act of endowment or the will shall be annexed to the application for registration.
Article 62
The organization and method of administration of a foundation shall be stipulated by the founder in the act of endowment or will. If the organization or the important method of administration, as provided in the act of endowment or will, is insufficient, the court may take necessary disposition upon the application of the authorities concerned, public prosecutor or any interested person.
Article 63
In order to maintain the purpose of a foundation or preserve its assets, the court may alter the foundation's organization upon the application of the founder, the director, authorities concerned, public prosecutor, or any interested person.
Article 64
The act of the director of a foundation, which violates the act of endowment, may be declared void by the court, upon the application of the authorities concerned, public prosecutor or any interested person.
Article 65
If the purpose of a foundation can not be completed because of change of circumstances, the authorities concerned may, after considering the intent of the founder, change the purpose and the necessary organization of the foundation, or dissolve it.
Chapter Ⅲ Things
Article 66
Real property is land and things which are constantly affixed thereto.
The products of the real property, if they are not separated therefrom, constitute a part of the real property.
Article 67
Personal property is any thing except real property mentioned in the preceding article.
Article 68
Accessories are things which are not part of the principal thing, but usually facilitate its utilization and belong to the same owner. However, if there is a particular custom in trade, such custom shall be prevalent.
The disposition of a principal thing extends to its accessories.
Article 69
Natural profits are products of the earth, animals, and other products which are produced from another thing without diminution of its substance.
Civil profits are interest, rentals and other revenue derived from the legal relation.
Article 70
A person who is entitled to the natural profits of a thing acquires the profits which are separated from the thing for the duration of his right.
A person who is entitled to the civil profits of a thing acquires them in proportion to the number of days for the duration of his right.
Chapter IV Juridical Acts
Section Ⅰ General Provisions
Article 71
A juridical act which violates an imperative or prohibitive provision of the act is void except voidance is not implied in the provision.
Article 72
A juridical act which is against public policy or morals is void.
Article 73
A juridical act which does not follow the formality required by the act is void unless otherwise provided by the act.
Article 74
If a juridical act whereby a person profiting by the difficulties, recklessness or inexperience of another causes to be delivered or promised pecuniary payment to such an extent that under that circumstances, the transaction is obviously unfair, the court may revoke the juridical act or reduce the payment upon the application of any interested person.
The application mentioned in the preceding paragraph must be made within one year from the date of the juridical act.
Section Ⅱ Capacity to Make Juridical Acts
Article 75
The expression of intent of a person who has no capacity to make juridical acts is void. An expression is also void which is made by a person who, though not without capacity to make juridical acts, in a condition of unconsciousness or mental disorder.
Article 76
A person who has no capacity to make juridical acts shall be represented by his guardian for making or receiving an expression of intent.
Article 77
The making or receiving of an expression of intent of a person who is limited in capacity to make juridical acts must be approved by his guardian, except when the expression of intent relates to the pure acquisition of a legal advantage, or to the necessaries of life according to his age and status.
Article 78
A unilateral act made by a person limited in capacity to make juridical acts without the approval of his guardian is void.
Article 79
A contract made by a person limited in capacity to make juridical acts without the approval of his guardian is valid upon the acknowledgement of the guardian.
Article 80
The other party to the contract mentioned in the preceding article may fix a period, not less than one month, and request the guardian to answer definitely within such period whether he acknowledged the contract or not.
If the guardian does not give a definite answers within the period mentioned in the preceding paragraph, it shall be deemed as refusal.
Article 81
After the cause for which a person's capacity to make juridical acts is limited has ended in existence, his acknowledgement of the contract which he has previously made has the same effect as that of his guardian.
The provision of the preceding article applies mutatis mutandis to the case provided in the preceding paragraph.
Article 82
Before the acknowledgement of the contract made by a person who is limited in capacity to make juridical acts, the other party to the contract may withdraw it, except he knew that the approval of the guardian had not been given, when the contract was made.
Article 83
A juridical act made by a person who is limited in capacity to make juridical acts is valid if such person has induced the other party, by using fraudulent means, to believe that he had capacity to make juridical acts or that he had obtained the approval of his guardian.
Article 84
A person who is limited in capacity to make juridical acts is able to dispose of the property which his guardian has approved him to dispose of it.
Article 85
If the guardian of a person who is limited in capacity to make juridical acts has approved the latter to run business independently, such person has capacity to make juridical acts concerning the said business.
If the person limited in capacity to make juridical acts is unable to run the business thus approved, his guardian may revoke or restrict his approved, but it shall not be a valid defense against any bona fide third party.
Section 3 Expression of Intent
Article 86
An expression of intent shall not be void for the expresser did not intend to be bound by it, except the fact was known to the other party.
Article 87
A fictitious expression of intent made by the expresser in collusion with other party is void, but the voidance can not be a valid defense against any bona fide third party.
If the fictitious expression of intent was intended to conceal another juridical act, the provisions of the act with respect to such another juridical act shall apply.
Article 88
If the expression was acting under a mistake as to the contents of his expression of intent, or had known the situation of affairs, he would not make the expression; he may revoke the expression; provided that the mistake or the ignorance of the affairs was not due to his own fault.
If a mistake in respect to the qualification of the other party or the nature of a thing is regarded as essential in trade, it shall be deemed a mistake as to the contents of the expression of intent.
Article 89
If an expression of intent has been incorrectly transmitted by the person or institution employed for its transmission, it may be revoked under the same conditions as provided in the preceding article.
Article 90
The right of revocation provided in the preceding two articles would be extinguished after one year from the date of expression.
Article 91
If a expression of intent is revoked according to Article 88 or Article 89, the expresser is bound to compensate for any injury which the other party or any third party may have sustained by relying upon the validity of the expression, except the injured party knew, or might know, of the ground on which the expression was revocable.
Article 92
An expression of intent which is procured by fraud or by duress may be revoked by the expresser. If the fraud was done by a third party, the expression may be revoked only under the circumstances that the other party knew, or might know the affairs.
The revocation of an expression of intent on the ground of fraud can not be a valid defense against the bona fide third party.
Article 93
The right of revocation in the preceding article must be exercised within one year from the date when the fraud was discovered or when the duress ceased. But it can not be exercised after ten years since the expression of intent.
Article 94
An expression of intent inter presents becomes effective at the moment when the person to whom it is made understands it well.
Article 95
An expression of intent inter absents becomes effective at the moment when the notification of the expression reaches such other party, except when the withdrawal of the notification previously or simultaneously reaches such other party.
The fact that after the notification of the expression the expresser dies, or becomes no capacity to make juridical acts, or is limited in capacity to make juridical acts, shall not null the expression of intent.
Article 96
If an expression of intent is made to a person with no capacity or limited in capacity to make juridical acts, it becomes effective when the notification of the expression reaches the guardian of the person.
Article 97
If an expresser, not due to his fault, is ignorant of name and residence of the other party, the notification of the expression may be effected by the service by publication according to the Civil Procedure Code.
Article 98
In the interpretation of an expression of intent, the real intention of the parties must be sought rather than the literal meaning of the words.
Section 4 - Conditions and Time of Commencement and Ending
Article 99
If a juridical act is subject to a suspenseful condition, it becomes effective on the fulfillment of the condition.
If a juridical act is subject to a resolutory condition, it ceases to be effective on the fulfillment of the condition.
If the effect of the fulfillment of the condition shall commence at another time than the time of fulfillment of the condition according to particular agreement of the parties, such particular agreement shall govern.
Article 100
If the party of a conditional juridical act has, during the pending of the fulfillment, made any act damaging the interests which the other party would have derived from the fulfillment of the condition, he is liable for any injury resulting therefrom.
Article 101
If the fulfillment of a condition is prevented by improper means of the party to whose disadvantages it would operate, the condition is deemed to have been fulfilled.
If the fulfillment of the condition is brought about by improper means of the party to whose advantages it would operate, the condition is deemed not to have been fulfilled.
Article 102
If a juridical act is subject to a time for its commencement, it becomes effective when the time arrives.
If a juridical is subject to a time for its ending, it ceases to be effective when the time arrives.
The provision of Article 100 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the case under the preceding two paragraphs.
Section 5 -Agency
Article 103
An expression of intent which an agent makes in the name of the principal within the scope of his delegated power takes effect directly to the principal.
If an expression of intent which is required to be made to the principal is made to his agent, the provision of the preceding paragraph shall be mutatis mutandis applied.
Article 104
The effectiveness of an expression of intent made by or to an agent is not impaired by the fact that he is limited in the capacity to make juridical acts.
Article 105
If the effectiveness of an expression of intent of an agent is impaired by the lack of intent, by fraud, or by duress, or by knowledge, or by culpable ignorance of certain circumstances, the existence of the fact shall be determined with regard to the agent.
But if the agent derives his authority from a juridical act and the expression of intent was made following the definite instructions of the principal, the existence of the fact shall be determined with regard to the principal.
Article 106
Without the consent of the principal, an agent shall not make a juridical act in the name of his principal with himself in his own name, nor shall he, as an agent of a third party, make a juridical act in the name of the principal with such third party, except when the juridical act consists exclusively in the performance of an obligation.
Article 107
The limitation or withdrawal of the delegated power shall not be a valid defense against any bona fide third party, except the ignorance of the third party is due to his fault.
Article 108
The delegated power is terminated in accordance with the legal relation from which it is delegated.
The delegated power may be withdrawn for the duration of the legal relation from which it is delegated, except when according to the nature of the legal relation it can not be withdrawn.
Article 109
At the termination or withdrawal of the delegated power, the agent shall return the written delegation of agency to the party who gave it; he has no right to retain it.
Article 110
If one who has no delegated power to make a juridical act as an agent of another person, he is liable for the injury to the bona fide other party.
Section 6 - Voidance and Revocation
Article 111
If a part of a juridical act is void, the whole juridical act is void; however, if the juridical act could exist excluding the void part, the other part remains valid.
Article 112
If a void juridical act satisfies the requirement of another juridical act, the latter is valid if under the circumstances it may be assumed at its validity would have been intended by the parties on knowing of the voidance of the former.
Article 113
When a party made a void juridical act knew or might know that it was void, he shall be liable to recover the status of things to its original condition, or to compensate for any injury arising therefrom.
Article 114
If a juridical act has been revoked, it is deemed to have been void ab initio.
If a juridical act which is revocable was known or might have been known to the parties concerned, the provision of the preceding article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the revocation of the juridical act.
Article 115
Unless it is otherwise agreed upon, the acknowledgement of a voidable juridical act makes the juridical act valid from the moment when it was made.
Article 116
The revocation or acknowledgement of a juridical act shall be made by an expression of intent.
If the other party is known, the declaration of intent shall be made to him.
Article 117
If the validity of a juridical act depends upon the consent of a third party, the giving or the refusal of the consent may be declared to either one of the parties.
Article 118
The disposition of any object which is made by a person without title is effective only upon the acknowledgement of the person entitled.
If the person without title acquires title to the object after having made a disposition , the disposition is valid ab initio, but interests obtained by the original interested party or any third party shall not be affected thereupon.
In the preceding paragraph, if several incompatible dispositions have been made, only the earliest disposition is valid.
Chapter V Dates and Periods
Article 119
The provisions of this chapter apply, unless otherwise provided, to the calculation of dates and periods specified in acts and regulations, judgments, or juridical acts.
Article 120
If a period is fixed by hours, it shall commence immediately.
If a period is fixed by days, weeks, months, or years, the first day is not included in the calculation.
Article 121
If a period is fixed by days, weeks, months, or years, it ends with the ending of the last day of the period.
If a period fixed by weeks, months, and years does not commence from the beginning of a week, month, or year, it ends with the ending of the day which proceeds the day of the last week, month, or year which corresponds to that on which it began to commence. But if there is no corresponding day in the last month, the period ends with the ending of the last day of the last month.
Article 122
If an expression of intent is required to be made or a performance is to be effected on a specific date or within a specific period, and if the specific day or the last day of the specific period falls on a Sunday, commemoration day, or any other holiday, the day following the holiday takes it place.
Article 123
The month or the year specified in this code is to be calculated in accordance with the official calendar.
If a period is fixed by months or years in such a manner that they does not calculate consecutively, a month is reckoned as thirty days, a year as three hundred and sixty-five days.
Article 124
The age of a person is counted from his birthday.
If the month and the day of birth of a person are impossible to ascertain, he is presumed to have been born on the first day of July. If the month is known and the day is impossible to ascertain, he is presumed to have been born on the fifteenth day of the said month.
Chapter VI Extinctive Prescription
Article 125
Unless shorter periods are provided by the act, a claim is extinguished by prescription if it is not exercised within fifteen years.
Article 126
If the claim is for the payment of interest, dividends, rentals, maintenance, pensions, and other periodical prestations falling due at sated intervals of one year or less, each successive payment of the claim is extinguished by prescription if it is not exercised within five years.
Article 127
The claim with regard to the following is extinguished by prescription if not exercised within two years:
(1) Charges for lodging, food or seats, for the price of articles for consumption, and for disbursements, made by inn, restaurants and places of entertainment;
(2) Charges for transportation and for disbursements, made by the carrier;
(3) Rentals due to a person who carries on a business of letting personal property;
(4) Fees, charges for medicine and remuneration of medical practitioners, pharmacists and nurses, and the disbursements made by them;
(5) Remuneration of attorneys, certified public accountants and public notaries, and the disbursements made by them;
(6) Restoration of things received from the parties to an action by attorneys, certified public accountants and public notaries;
(7) Remuneration of technical experts and undertakers, and the disbursements made by them;
(8) Price of goods or products supplied by merchants, manufactures and those who practice handmade arts.
Article 128
Extinctive prescription starts from the moment when the claim may be exercised. If the claim is for the forbearance of an act, the prescription starts from the time of act.
Article 129
Extinctive prescription is interrupted by any one the following causes:
(1) A demand for the satisfaction of the claim;
(2) An acknowledgement of the claim;
(3) An action brought for the satisfaction of the claim;
Any of the following entries is equivalent to bring an action:
(1) Application for issuance of an order for payment in accordance with a hortatory procedure;
(2) Application for conciliation or submission to arbitration;
(3) Representation of a compromise on credit or a claim in a bankruptcy process;
(4) Notice of the pending action;
(5) Institution of proceedings in execution or application for compulsory execution.
Article 130
If a prescription is interrupted by the making of a demand, and if an action has not been brought for the satisfaction of the claim within six months from the date of the demand, the prescription is deemed not to have been interrupted.
Article 131
If a prescription is interrupted by bring an action, and is withdrawn or dismissed as non-conformable to the act by a final judgment, the prescription is deemed not to have been interrupted.
Article 132
If a prescription is interrupted by an application of an order for payment, and if the application is withdrawn, or dismissed by a judgment, or the order for payment ceases to be effective, the prescription is deemed not to have been interrupted.
Article 133
If a prescription is interrupted by an application for conciliation or submission to arbitration, and if the application for conciliation is withdrawn, or dismissed, or the conciliation fail, or the submission to arbitration is withdrawn, or no award can be made in the arbitration, the prescription is deemed not to have been interrupted.
Article 134
If a prescription is interrupted by presentation of a compromise on credit or a claim in bankruptcy process, and if the presentation is withdrawn, the prescription is deemed not to have been interrupted.
Article 135
If a prescription is interrupted by notice of the pending action, and if no action is brought within six months after termination of the pending action, the prescription is deemed not to have been interrupted.
Article 136
If a prescription is interrupted by institution of proceedings in execution, and if the order for execution is vacated upon the application of the person entitled, or by reason of the non-fulfillment of legal requirements, the prescription is deemed not to have been interrupted.
If a prescription is interrupted by an application for compulsory execution, and if the application is withdrawn or dismissed, the prescription is deemed not to have been interrupted.
Article 137
If a prescription has been interrupted, it recommences from the time when termination of the cause of the interruption.
If a prescription has been interrupted by bringing an action, it recommences from the moment when the action is decided by a final judgment on the merits or otherwise terminated.
If the claim is ascertained by a final judgment on the merits or a ground of execution having the same effect as a final judgment on the merits, and if the original prescription was less than five years, the prescription recommenced after interruption shall be five years.
Article 138
The interruption of a prescription takes effect among the parties, their successors and assignees only.
Article 139
If a prescription can not be interrupted owing to force majeure or any other unavoidable cause at the ending of the period for the prescription, the said prescription is not complete until the expiration of one month from the time when such obstruction ends.
Article 140
The prescription of a claim in favor of or against the property of a succession is not complete until the expiration of six months from the moment when the successor is ascertained, the administrator is appointed or the bankruptcy is declared.
Article 141
If a person who has no capacity to make juridical acts or has a limited capacity to make juridical acts is left without a guardian within six months before the ending of the period for prescription, the said prescription is not complete until the expiration of six months from the time when such person reaches capacity to make juridical acts or when his guardian enters upon his duties.
Article 142
The prescription of a claim against the guardian of person, who has no capacity to make juridical acts or has a limited capacity to make juridical acts, is not complete until the expiration of one year after his legal relation to the guardian has discontinued.
Article 143
The prescription of a claim of a husband against his wife or of a wife against her husband is not complete until the expiration of one year after the marriage has dissolved.
Article 144
After the completion of a prescription, the debtor is entitled to refuse to perform his obligation.
If any prestation is made in satisfaction of a claim extinguished by a prescription, the debtor may not demand the return of the prestation on the ground that he was ignorant of the prescription. The preceding rule applies to a contractual acknowledgement of obligation and to the giving of security for the obligation.
Article 145
Although a claim for which there is a mortgage, a lien, or a right of retention has been extinguished by a prescription, the creditor is still entitled to satisfy him out of the things mortgaged, liened, or retained.
The provision of the preceding paragraph does not apply to a claim for interest or other successive payments of periodical prestations when the claim has been extinguished by prescription.
Article 146
The effect of prescription of the principal claims extends to the accessory claim, unless otherwise provided by the act.
Article 147
The period of prescription may not be extended or reduced by juridical acts. The advantage of prescription may not be waived in advance.
Chapter VII Exercise of Rights
Article 148
A right can not be exercised for the main purpose of violating public interests or damaging the others.
A right shall be exercised and a duty shall be performed in accordance with the means of good faith.
Article 149
A person acting in defense of his own rights or the rights of another against immediate unlawful infringement thereof is not liable to compensate for any injury arising from his action. But if anything is done in excess of what is required for necessary defense, he is still liable to make a reasonable compensation.
Article 150
A person acting to avoid an imminent danger menacing the life, body, liberty or property of himself or of another is not liable to compensate for any injury arising from his action, provided the action is necessary for avoiding the danger and does not exceed the limit of the injury which would have been caused by the said danger.
Under the circumstances specified in the preceding paragraph, if the person so acting is responsible for the occurrence of the danger, he is liable to compensate for any injury arising from his act.
Article 151
In order to protect his rights, a person who restrains, seizes, or destroys the liberty or the property of another is not liable to compensate for any injury arising therefrom, provided the assistance of the court or other relevant authorities could not be obtained in due time and there was a fact that if the person did not act immediately, the exercise of his rights would be rendered impossible or manifestly arduous.
Article 152
According to the provision of the preceding article, a person who restrains the liberty or seizes the property of another shall apply immediately to the court for assistance.
If the application mentioned in the preceding paragraph is dismissed or is not made in time, this person is liable to compensate for any injury arising from his action.