论公司章程性质

Attribute of Article of Incorporation

针对公司章程的法律性质 ,学者们意见纷纭 :有代表性的主要观点为契约说及自治法说 ,另外还有宪章说、折中的观点等。契约说为英美法系大部分学者所主张 ,认为公司章程是股东之间在平等协商基础上就设立公司的权利义务达成的文件 ,是股东自由意志的体现。自治法说为日本通说及为部分大陆法系学者所主张 ,认为公司章程是在国家强制性规范指导下订立的旨在平衡股东权益的公司内部根本法。公司章程不仅约束制订章程的设立者或发起人 ,而且当然地约束着公司机关及新加入公司组织者。文章分析得出 :公司章程采“自治法说”为佳 ,即实质意义上的章程是依社员们法律行为而成立 ,具有对成文法的补充性、变更性效力 ,并以此对公司的团体性质的法律关系进行规律的规范的总称。

Scholars have different opinions on the attribute of the article of incorporation. The main views include the contract theory, law of autonomy theory, constitution theory and the compromise theory and so on. Most scholars of English-American Legal System hold the contract theory. They think that the article of incorporation is an establishing document on agreements among all shareholders, which reflects shareholders' will. Most scholars of Continental Law Legal System and Japanese scholars maintain the law of autonomy theory. They point out the article of incorporation is the fundamental law on internal affairs of corporation. The article of incorporation is set up with the aim of balancing the shareholders' rights and interests. The article of incorporation binds both the sponsors and the new shareholders. The author holds that the law of autonomy theory is better to describe the attribute of the article of incorporation. Essentially, the article of incorporation is founded on the action of the members, which has the supplementary and modificatory effect on the written law.