论格式免责条款的效力层次——兼谈《合同法》及其司法解释之间的矛盾及其协调

On the Validity of Standard Form Exemption Clauses:Concurrently on the Conflicts between Contract Law and Its Judicial Interpretation

格式免责条款效力如何,合同法及其司法解释都有明确的规定。不过,这些规定之间大都相互冲突,矛盾重重。为了化解矛盾,有必要先区分格式条款提供方是否违反说明或提请注意义务。违反者应视为没有订入合同,若没有违反,则应区分4种不同情况而对效力进行规定。唯有如此,才能在格式免责条款上达成自由与公平的平衡。

The Contract Act of the PRC and the judicial interpretations thereof have prescribed the validity of the standard form exemption clauses.However,there exist conflicts and contradictions between the relevant provisions,to abolish which,we need to see at first whether the provider of the standard form exemption clause has made any default in his/her statement or warning obligation.Where there is a default,the exemption clause shall be deemed as having not been included into the contract.Where no default can be found,the validity of the clause will be interpreted in four ways.Only in this way can we balance contractual freedom and justice in terms of standard form exemption clauses.