鸦片战争前英国在华治外法权之酝酿与尝试

The Development and Early Practice of British Extraterritoriality in China before the Opium War

鸦片战争前中英司法冲突主要表现在对凶杀案件的审判与执行方面。从18世纪末开始,来华英人就利用其海上强权,规避中国的司法管辖,并宣称中国相关法律和司法制度不可接受,在欧洲通行的国际法准则也不适合于中国,为建立在华治外法权制造舆论。英国政府从1833年开始立法酝酿,为在广州地区建立具有刑事、海事及民事管辖权力的法庭进行准备,驻华商务监督义律积极推动这一进程。1839年7月,义律擅自宣布建立英国在华法庭。鸦片战争后,英人以不平等条约为基础,最终完成了建立在华治外法权的法律程序。

Judicial conflict between China and Britain before the Opium War focused mainly on the trial and conduct of homicide cases.From the late 18^(th)century,the British in China tried to evade Chi- nese law by resorting to their maritime power.They avoided China's jurisdiction and created a climate of public opinion in favor of extraterritoriality by claiming that the relevant Chinese laws and judicial system were unacceptable,and that the principles of international law that were com- monly followed in Europe were unfit for use in China.From 1833,the British government started the legislative process of setting up in Guangzhou a court of law with jurisdiction over criminal, maritime and civil cases.Charles Elliot,Superintendent of British trade in China,was active in promoting this process.In July 1839,Elliot unilaterally declared the establishment of a British court of law in China.After the Opium War,Britain finally completed the legal procedures for its extraterritoriality in China on the basis of the unequal treaties.