无正本提单交付货物的中英法律解读

Annotation for the delivery of goods without production of original bill of lading under Chinese and English Law

无正本提单交付货物一直是困扰国际海上货物运输的主要问题之一。应该说,自从提单这一运输单证诞生并开始肩负作为交付货物凭证的功能时起,无单放货就伴随其产生了。从承运人的角度来说,最关心的莫过于如何认定无单放货的形式和性质以及因承担无单放货而产生的责任;从正本提单持有人的角度来说,在承运人无单放货的情况下如何行使索赔权则是其关注的核心。为了解决中国海事司法审判实践中出现的有关无正本提单交付货物纠纷的法律适用方面的问题,最高人民法院在2009年3月5日出台了《最高人民法院关于审理无正本提单交付货物案件适用法律若干问题的规定》,由于在起草过程中大量借鉴了国外海事审判经验,而英国又是海事审判最先进的国家之一,积累了大量有关无单放货的判例,因此有必要通过这些案例来对该规定的主要内容进行解读,以便对相关内容进行更好的理解和把握。

Delivery of goods without production of original bill of lading is one of main problems in international carriage of goods by sea.This problem stems from the existence of the bill of lading as an evidence of the delivery of goods.From the carrier＇s point of view,their foremost concern is the method of identifying the types and legal nature of delivery of goods without production of original bill of lading,and the potential liability arising therefrom;on the other hand,from the document holders＇ point of view,they are primarily concerned about the exercising of their right to claim for damages in those situations.To resolve the above problems in respect of application of laws in this regard,on 5th March 2009 the Supreme People＇s Court of China issued the Several Provisions of the Supreme People＇s Court on Application of Law for Trial of Disputes over Delivery of Goods without Production of Original Bill of Lading.The Supreme People＇s Court has referred to and drawn on the experiences of foreign maritime cases as well as the practices adopted by the English courts,one of the leading maritime law judiciaries of the world,in the drafting process.Hence,it is essential to construe and assess the main content of the Provisions in light of the relevant English precedents as a whole to ensure better understanding and application of the Provisions.