再论保证期间的性质与确定——兼对《中国民法典》(学者建议稿)有关条文的质疑

Reconsideration of the Property and Confirmation of Guarantee Period

保证期间既不属于诉讼时效,也不是除斥期间,而是一种独立的期间形态,即为失权期间。如果债权人不在该期间内行使权利,保证期间届满,其保证债权将在实体上消灭,保证人也由此而免责。在一般保证方式中,保证期间应自债权人就主债务人的财产执行终结之日起开始计算;在连带责任保证方式中,保证期间应自主债务人不履行债务时开始计算。

Guarantee period neither belongs to litigation validity, nor is it the period during which a certain right is valid. It is an independent temporal condition, i.e. the period of the loss of rights. In ordinary guarantee, the guarantee period starts with the termination of the obligor＇s properties by the obligee. In guarantee with related responsibilities, the guarantee period starts when the obligor quits his responsibilities.