侵权法历史略论——以侵权法的功能检视为脉络

A Brief History of Tort Law——from the Perspective of its Function

在历史进程上,侵权法从起源到发展历经了从同态复仇到损害赔偿、过错归责到多元归责、绝对责任到相对责任再到绝对责任的演变。近代以后,欧洲大陆的成文法典确立了侵权法的地位,而英美国家的侵权法则在判例法的基础上枝繁叶茂。总体而言,侵权法始终发挥着填补损害和威慑行为的功能,只是在不同时期占据主导地位的功能有所差别。当代侵权法是以救济受害人为中心建构起来的,并彰显填补损害的功能。

The development of tort law has undergone the stages from retaliation to compensation, from single fault liability to all-round fault liability, and from absolute liability to relative liability and then to absolute liability again. Since the modern times, the statutory law emphasizes the importance of tort law in continental Europe; however, England and America have improved tort law based on the case law. In short, tort law has always played a role in restitution and in deterrence against crime, the major functions being different at different periods. At present, tort law centers on relieving victims and emphasizing compensation function.