论类案的结构性相似特征及其运用

On the Structural Similarity Characteristic of Similar Cases and Its Application Values

相关性判决是类案的初始含义和本质所在,适用类案裁判先要找到能够与待决案件构成高度相关性判决的先例。相较于“表面性相似”,“结构性相似”才是保证事物具有真正相似性的基础,类案必然也是以“结构性相似”为根本特征。仅找到案件之间对应的一定数量的相同点并非就能成就类案,实质的类案要求案件之间的共同点必须在关系/构造层面达到系统的相似性。结构性相似特征对适用类案的裁判活动具有明显的运用价值。一方面,通过考量司法的逻辑构成,可以把司法认定的案件事实、法官提炼的案件争议、裁判作出的法律解释和必要问题的价值衡量确定为案件“结构性相似”的基础性要素,而基于这四个基础性要素关系或构造的相似,就成为判定类案的司法标准。另一方面,按照“结构性相似”特征确立类案的法律适用关系,需要型塑与之相应的司法思维,包括从具象思维转为一定程度的概括性思维、将概念思维与类型思维并重、合理运用目的性思维等。在我国案例指导制度下,有关指导性案例的参照适用也应以类案的结构性相似特征为基本遵循。

The relevant judgments are the initial meaning and essence of similar cases.The first step in applying similar cases for judgment is to find precedents that can constitute highly relevant judgments with pending cases.Compared to‘superficial similarity’,‘structural similarity'is the basis for ensuring that things have true similarity,so structural similarity must also be the fundamental characteristic of similar cases.Just finding a certain number of similarities between cases does not achieve similar cases;substantive similar cases require that the similarities between cases must reach systematic similarity at the relational or structural level.The structural similarity characteristic has obvious application values for activities of similar cases adjudication.On the one hand,by considering the logical composition of justice,the facts of the cases that are judicially determined,the disputes extracted by the judges,the legal interpretations given in decisions,and the value measurement of necessary issues can be determined as the basic elements of‘structural similarity’of cases,and the similarity based on the relationship or structure of these four basic elements becomes the judicial standard for determining similar cases.On the other hand,establishing the legal application relationship of similar cases based on the‘structural similarity’characteristic requires shaping corresponding judicial thinking,including shifting from concrete thinking to a certain level of general thinking,placing equal emphasis on conceptual thinking and type thinking,and using purposeful thinking reasonably.Under the case guidance system,the reference and application of guiding cases should also take the structural similarity of similar cases as the basic principle to follow.