破产理念的立法演变与破产程序的驱动机制

免责制度产生之前 ,破产主要是作为债权人执行债权的工具和手段存在的 ,旨在最大限度地发掘债务人的财产 ;破产程序的推动主要依靠债务人基于免责可能获得的经济利益。其后 ,免责、自愿破产加上自由财产制度的确立 ,成为自然人破产得以长盛不衰的三大利益支点。当有限责任制度在立法上和实务中得到广泛承认和推行之后 ,债务人本来只能通过破产程序才能获得的免责利益则可通过有限责任的方式直接实现 ,此时企业破产立法的重心发生了移转 ,促使债务人提出破产申请的动因更多地转向破产预防制度可能为其带来的诸多益处上。

The Legislative Evolvement of Bankruptcy Concepts and the Driving Mechanism of Bankruptcy Procedure

Before exemption system came into being, bankruptcy had existed mainly as a tool and means for creditors to execute credits. After limited liability system is widely recognized and implemented in legislation and practice, exemption benefit, which could only be obtained by debtors in bankruptcy procedure in the past, may be directly realized by means of limited liability now. At the same time, the focus of business bankruptcy legislation has shifted to bankruptcy prevention system.