中国当代法律中的习惯——从司法个案透视

(11)Customary Laws in Contemporary China from the Perspective of Individual Cases

本文通过司法个案的分析指出 :( 1 )习惯在当代中国社会的司法实践中实际起着重要作用 ,在特定情况下 ,甚至可能置换制定法 ;( 2 )习惯影响司法的途径是案件当事人以及法官对相关利益的追求 ,在这一过程中 ,他们会交错利用制定法和习惯 ;( 3 )因此 ,对习惯之变迁起决定作用的并不是“文化” 。

Based on an analysis of individual judicial cases, the author suggests that custom plays an important role in judicial cases in Chinese society and even replaces statutes under given conditions. Custom also influences the judiciary because of the related interests of the litigious parties and the judges. During the trial process legal statutes and custom are alternatively taken into consideration. The evolution of customary law is determined not by “culture” but by material restraints in society.