既判力相对性原则:根据、例外与制度化

既判力相对性原则是既判力制度中的一项基本原则,是指判决的既判力在一般情形下仅发生于当事人之间.这一原则不仅有助于纠纷的终局解决,保障法律关系的稳定,同时能够为没有参加诉讼的案外第三人的民事权益提供程序保障.作为既判力相对性原则的例外,确定判决对于诉讼系属后的承继人及为当事人或其承继人占有请求之标的物者,亦有效力.为他人之利益而作为原告或被告者之确定判决,对于该他人也有效力.我国现行民事诉讼法尚未明确规定既判力相对性原则.这一原则的缺失导致了民事诉讼法在第三人权益的程序保障方面存有重大缺陷,也造成了实践中第三人撤销之诉适用的混乱局面.应当完善既判力制度,确立既判力相对性原则,将第三人撤销之诉的适用限制在确定判决既判力相对性的例外情形.

Principle of the Relativity of Res judicata:J ustification, Exception and Its Institutionalisation

The principle of the relativity of res judicata, as a fundamental principle of res judicata system, means that, under normal circumstances, res judicata occurs only between the parties. This principle not only is conductive to reaching final solutions to disputes and guarding the stability of legal relationship, but also provides procedural safeguards for the rights and interests of a third person who does not participate in the litigation. As an exception to the principle of the relativity of res judicata, a final judgment has legal effect also on a successor after action dependence and on a person who is in possession of the requested subject matter on behalf of a party or the heirs of that party. A final judgment on a case in which a person becomes the plaintiff or defendant on behalf of another person has legal effect also on that another person. The current Chinese Civil Procedure Law contains no clear stipulation on the principle of the relativity of res judicata, which has not only led to a major flaw in the procedure for the protection of the rights and interests of a third person, but also caused confusions in the application of third-party opposition in practice. China should improve the system of res judicata, establish the principle of the relativity of res judicata, and limit the application of third-party opposition to circumstances that constitute exceptions to the principle of the relativity of res judicata.