民法视野下海上货物运输中诉权制度研究——违约之诉的扩张与侵权之诉的限制

Right to Sue in the Carriage of Goods by Sea from the Perspective of Civil Law——Expansion of Action of Breach of Contract and Restriction of Action of Tort

海上货物运输诉权制度可追溯至早期普通法。在普通法率先作出变革之后,为解决海上货运诉权行使的困境,海商法随之效仿。一方面,为维护货方利益,扩大了有权行使违约之诉的主体范围;另一方面,为维护船方的利益,限制了侵权之诉的行使条件与法律后果。两条救济路径体现了'效率'与'公平'价值的兼容。我国《海商法》的修改也应予以借鉴:对于违约之诉,原则上由托运人享有诉权,但可约定转移至收货人;对于侵权之诉,在保留'喜马拉雅条款'的基础上,创设'海运履约方'制度。

The right of suit in the carriage of goods by sea could be traced back to the early time of common law.After common law has taken the lead to make changes,maritime law follows the concept of civil law in order to solve the dilemma of the exercise of right of suit.On the one hand,in order to safeguard the interests of the cargo owners,it expands the scope of the subject of the action of breach of contract;on the other hand,in order to protect the interests of the shipowners,it restricts the conditions and legal consequences of the action of tort.The foresaid remedies embody the compatibility of two values of'efficiency'and'justice'among the maritime law.The amendment of relevant provisions of Chinese Maritime Law shall also draw the lessons from it.As to the action of breach of contract,the shipper has the right of suit on principle,allowing it to transfer the right of suit to the consignee by agreement;as to the action of tort,on the basis of retaining the'Himalaya Clause',the concept of'maritime performing party'shall be adopted.