Arrha poenitentialis

The compensatory and punitive liquidated damages is defined by China Contract Law.

我国《合同法》承认违约金具有补偿性和惩罚性,但并未明确规定在何种情况下为补偿性违约金,何种情况下为惩罚性违约金,而不同性质的违约金其责任适用亦不同。

Unlike normal civil or tort law compensatory or actual damages awarded to a person as compensation, indemnity or restitution for harm sustained, punitive damages are aimed at different purpose of deterrence and retribution, which will set an example for similar wrongdoers b.

惩罚性赔偿金制度是为惩罚被告的不法行为,及遏制被告及其他潜在的不法行为人在未来从事相同或类似的不法行为,于补偿性损害赔偿之外,另行课予额外赔偿金的制度。

The amount of punitive damages should be elastic rather than fixed, but the elastic punitive damages has the problem of uncertainty.

惩罚性赔偿金的数额必须是弹性的而非固定的,然而,弹性的惩罚性赔偿金又有着数额不确定性的难题。