国际法中的默认及其在司法实践中的认定与效力

Acquiescence in International Law and Its Determination and Effects in International Judicial Practice

默认是指从国家的沉默或者不作为中推断出同意或不反对的意思表示。默认是普通法中的概念,经由国际司法实践引入国际法领域,成为司法机构解决争端时考虑的重要因素之一。在国际法理论中,默认对于习惯国际法的识别具有重要作用,表现为默认既可弥补国家实践的缺失,也可作为法律确信的证据。默认可弥补与克服权利来源的模糊性,并增强与巩固历史性权利的基础。默认与承认的表现方式和动因不同,尽管两者的法律效果可能相同。1909年至2008年间18个涉及默认的司法案例表明,默认的认定必须满足三个要件,即国家的沉默或者不反对必须持续一段时间,国家应有机会或者途径知晓相关的事实以及国家应该并且能够作出反应但并未作出。默认在司法实践中的法律效力主要表现为:在一般情形下作为证据,证明、确认并增强司法机构依据其他规则得出的结论;在某些情形下,默认可成为确定国家之间权利义务关系的法律依据,并据此实现相互之间法律关系的变更;符合特定条件时,默认可导致禁止反言的法律效果。

Acquiescence refers to the expression of consent,or no objection inferred from the silence or inaction of the state.Acquiescence is a concept in common law which is introduced into the field of international law through international judicial practice,and has become an important factor considered by judicial institutions when resolving disputes.In international law theory,acquiescence plays a significant role in the identification of customary international law.It can compensate for the lack of state practice and serve as evidence of opinio juris.Acquiescence can overcome the ambiguity of the sources of rights,and strengthen and consolidate the foundation of historic rights.Although acquiescence and recognition may result in similar legal effects,their forms and motivations differ.18 judicial cases involving acquiescence from 1909 to 2008 indicate that three requirements must be met in judicial practice to determine acquiescence:the state's silence or non-objection must last for a period of time,the state must have the opportunity or means to know the relevant facts,and the state should be capable of reacting but fails to do so.The legal effect of acquiescence in judicial practice is mainly manifested in the following ways:generally,it serves as evidence to prove,confirm,and strengthen conclusions drawn by judicial bodies based on other rules;in some cases,acquiescence can be the legal basis for determining the rights and obligations between states,thereby altering their legal relations;and,under specific conditions,acquiescence can lead to the legal effect of estoppel.