论信用证独立性与欺诈例外原则的法律平衡

ON THE LEGAL BALANCE BETWEEN THE INDEPENDENT CHARACTER OF L/C AND SWINDLING EXCEPTION PRINCIPLES

信用证作为国际贸易的主要结算方式,在我国对外贸易中发挥着日益重要的作用。为确保信用证快捷、便利的流通,国际社会赋予信用证以独立性,将信用证的开立、兑付、纠纷解决与基础合同分开。信用证的独立性犹如一把双刃剑,一方面保护了信用证的流通,另一方面也刺激了信用证欺诈的发生。信用证欺诈“生意”的繁荣又导致信用证欺诈例外原则的产生。由此产生了信用证独立性与欺诈例外原则的矛盾。信用证的独立性和欺诈例外原则可以实现法律上的平衡。

L/C is playing an increasingly important part in our foreign trade as a major form of settlement. To ensure the quickness and convenience of L/C in circulation, international community has endowed L/C with an independent character, separating the opening, cashing, dispute-settling of L/C from the basic contracts. The independent character of L/C is a double-edged sword in that it protects the circulation of L/C on the one hand and encourages L/C swindling on the other hand. The brisk business of L/C swindling causes L/C swindling exception principles to come into being. Hence the contradiction between its independent character and swindling exception principles. The paper believes that a legal balance can be maintained between them.