普通法中的两类主要推理依据

Two Major Types of Reasons in Common Law Method

普通法方法中为了回答法律问题,要使用到多种推理依据,其中最重要的两种依据是形式性依据和实质性依据。形式性依据是具有权威形式的推理依据,典型代表为制定法和案例,还包括学者的论述、评论、法律汇编、重述等内容。其中有法律拘束力的制定法和案例是最有力的形式性依据。实质性依据不具有权威形式,而是凭借其内容的内在逻辑而获得说服力的推理依据,主要包括道德依据和政策目标依据两大类。普通法法官推理中,形式性依据的重要性是首位的,实质性依据起到辅助的作用,只有存在法律不周全的情况下,实质性依据才能成为首要推理依据。

In order to answer legal questions,the common law method employs a number of different types of reasons,among which formal reasons and substantive reasons are the two major types.Formal reasons are reasons with authoritative forms,including statutes and precedents and other authorities which are not sources of law.Substantive reasons are reasons without authoritative forms,including moral reasons and policy reasons.In common law reasoning,formal reasons are most important,while substantive reasons are of assistance.Only when there is deficiency in positive law can substantive reasons take a more important responsibility.