铁案如山与莫须有——中国古代诉讼中的双重证明标准？

中国古代诉讼的事实认定中,存在着铁案如山与莫须有两种证明标准.前者强调事实认定绝对正确,后者则允许事实认定有较大可能性.前者又分为不要求特定证据的一般铁案如山标准及要求有特殊证据的特殊铁案如山标准,后者则可分为可能性很大与有可能两种标准.铁案如山标准关注案件的真实发现,莫须有标准能体现对于伦理、效率、仁政等价值观的维护.对特殊铁案如山标准的强调有可能会导致无效审理,而莫须有标准若适用不当会导致冤案与错案的发生.

Ironclad and Groundlessness-Double Standards of Proof of Lawsuits in Ancient China

Two kinds of standards of proof existed in the fact-finding proceedings in ancient China-ironclad case and groundlessness. The former emphasizes the absolute accuracy of the factual findings while the latter allows a greater possibility of factual findings. Besides, the former can be divided into two kinds： the general standard of ironclad that does not require particular evidence and the special standard of ironclad that requires special evidence. Also, the latter can be divided into two standards of great possibility and possibility. The standard of ironclad concerns the real finding of the case. However, the standard of groundlessness concerns the maintenance of such values as the ethic, efficiency and policy of benevolence etc. The emphasis of special standard of ironclad possibly leads to invalid trial while the inappropriate application of standard of groundlessness will cause the occurrence of injustice and misjudgment.