论合同严守原则

On the Principle of Strict Observance of Contracts

合同严守,又叫合同神圣,要求各方当事人对依法成立的合同必须认真遵守,适当履行,任何一方不得擅自变更或解除合同,不得违反义务,否则,得承担民事责任;只有在法定的或约定的事由出现时方可终止之,个别情况下可以变更之。如果说合同严守原则单纯地维护合同的拘束力尚显消极,那么,合同严守原则严格要求、全力推进适当履行则系其重心所在。迟延履行、不完全履行、拒绝履行,不是“履行”,而是违约行为,是不遵守合同严守的表现。不能履行,若因可归责于债务人的原因所致,则其属于违约行为,要成立违约责任,同样不是合同严守原则所要求的合同履行;若因不可抗力、通常事变的客观原因所致,则非债务人不遵守合同严守原则。合同严守原则覆盖债务履行、履行抗辩权、债的保全和担保、债的转让、合意变更或解除、抵销、提存、违约责任等领域。合同严守原则与鼓励交易原则重叠内容很多,但各有侧重。合同严守原则是合同自由原则的另一面,与鼓励交易原则具有广泛的相容性和一致性,是法律维护人的尊严、保护当事人对交易的信赖的重要体现。当然,在合同绝对并全部无效、适用情事变更原则或破解合同僵局规则、在个案中确认“效率违约”等情况下,就不再遵循合同严守原则。

Strict observance of the contracts,also known as the sanctity of contracts,requires all parties to earnestly observe and properly perform the contract established according to law.Either party shall not change or terminate the contract without authorization or violate its obligations;otherwise,it shall bear civil liabilities.It may be terminated only when a legal or agreed cause arises,and may be modified in individual cases.If the binding force of simply maintaining the contract is still negative,then the focus is to strictly comply with the principle of the contract and promote proper performance.Delay in performance,incomplete performance or refusal to perform are not“performance”but acts of breach of contract,which are signs of non-compliance with the contract.If the failure to perform is caused by causes attributable to the debtor,it is a breach of contract and shall be liable for breach of contract,which is also not the contract performance required by the principle of strict observance of contract.If it is caused by force majeure or objective causes of ordinary events,the non-debtor fails to abide by the principle of strict observance of contract.The principle of strict observance of contract covers the performance of debt,the right of defense for performance,the preservation and guarantee of debt,the transfer of debt,consensual alteration or discharge,set-off,deposit,liability for breach of contract,etc.There are many overlaps between the principle of strict observance of contract and the principle of encouraging transactions,but each has its own emphasis.The principle of strict observance of contract is the other side of the principle of freedom of contract,which has extensive compatibility and consistency with the principle of encouraging transactions.It is an important embodiment of the law to safeguard human dignity and protect the parties’trust in transactions.In the absolute and total invalidity of the contract,the principle of changing circumstances or breaking contract deadlock rules are applied,and the“efficient breach”is confirmed in individual cases.