论习惯的合法性检验标准

The Criteria of Validity Test of Customs in the Judicial Process

民间习惯的司法识别,实质上就是法官在习惯中发现案件的裁判规范并通过合法性检验将其正当化的过程。合法性检验的核心问题乃是标准问题,这是习惯在司法中出场的技术前提。通过比较可以发现,很多法治发达国家或者法治后进国家的司法,都存在习惯的合法性检验标准,而中国则缺少这样一个全国适用的体系。在规范分析的角度上,该标准体系可以在理论上、制度上加以重构,从各国实践中抽取出共同要素,就可以描述性地构建一个大体上具有可操作性的检验标准体系。中国司法不能总是消极地应对民间法治资源,在习惯进入司法已经提上日程的前提下,建立检验标准体系并通过案例使之逐步明晰是"必由之路"。

Judicial recognition of the custom is a process in which the judge identifies norms for decision in the custom and validates it by test. The key problem of the validity test of customs is the criteria applied, which is also the technical precondition for judicial application of the custom. By comparison, it is found that there exists a criteria system of validity test of customs both in developed and developing countries. However, in China a criteria system applicable to the whole nation is still missing. Such a system can be reconstructed theoretically and institutionally by absorbing the common factors of the judicial practices of various countries in the world. The Chinese judicature should not passively deal with the folk legal resources. With judicial application of the custom on top agenda, it is the only way for us to set up a system of the criteria of validity test of customs by the Supreme Court and clarify it case by case.