論消滅時效制度下債權人利益之兼顧

消滅時效，本身是一種因時間經過而使債權人遭受不利益，或謂因時間經過而降低債權人保護密度的規定。因此，在消滅時效的制度設計以及要件解釋上，勢必要注意如何在不影響時效制度目的的前提下，適度保障債權人之權利行使可能。我國現行民法總則關於消滅時效之一般規定，未能周全保障債權人之權利行使可能。相較於此，比較法上如德國法、日本法或歐洲契約法原則等國際契約法文件，則已意識到時效制度須考量債權人權利行使可能性，而進行相關修正。我國民法修正草案亦遵循國際法潮流，進行時效法之修訂。在此背景下，本文即以我國現行法、修正草案以及比較法相關規定為基礎，進行比較法研究，嘗試建構出能兼顧債權人保障之制度設計，以及解釋方向。就時效起算來說，我國現行民法第128條是採取客觀起算基準。然而，從比較法上觀察，採取納入權利人主觀認識之雙軌制時效算模式更能在公私益衡量間取得平衡。我國民法修正草案第125條亦係採取雙軌制，值得贊同。在雙軌制下，主觀起算基準係為保護債權人，客觀最長時效則為保護法安定性，個別時效起算要件應依循上開制度目的為解釋。時效障礙事由方面，我國現行民法欠缺時效停止制度，將造成債權人保護漏洞，本文認為應修法引進時效停止制度。另外，個別事由應置於何項時效障礙規定，亦有討論必要。最後，時效制度畢竟肩負債務人保護及公益考量，無論制度上如何調整，勢必會存在制度上無法處理的債權人保護漏洞。誠信原則即作為債權人保護之最後一環，發揮補遺功能，以確保債權人有最終救濟手段。就誠信原則限制時效抗辯之要件解釋上，本文認為應綜合時效制度目的以及債權人、債務人雙方之情事，綜合考量。

關鍵字

消滅時效；債權人保障；時效起算；時效障礙；誠信原則

並列摘要

The extinctive prescription is a system which reduces the protection of creditors as time goes by. As a result, when we design the system and explain the legal elements, we should focus on how to make sure that creditors have a reasonable chance to exercise their claims without affecting the purpose of the prescription. The general provisions of prescription in Taiwan’s Civil Code fail to make sure that creditors have a reasonable chance to exercise their claims. Compared to that, German, Japan and international contract instruments have realized the importance of protecting creditors, and have amended the regulations. So, the amended draft of civil law in Taiwan also follows the international trends. Based on these materials, this article tries to construct a system that can strike a balance between the purpose of prescription and the protection of creditors. When it comes to the commencement of prescription, the recent rule in Taiwan’s Civil Code can’t provide enough protection for creditors. So, it’s better to change to the “double-standard’’ system, in order to strike the balance between the purpose of prescription and the protection of creditors. As for the barriers of prescription period, this article recommends that we should introduce the suspension of prescription to Taiwan, so that we can make sure that creditors have been fully protected. And, we should also review the related regulations about renewal, suspension and extension of prescription in Taiwan. Last but not the least, the principle of good faith is the last line of defense in protection of creditors. We should make sure it fulfills its function. This article believes that we should take the purpose of prescription and the condition between creditors and debtors into account when applying the principle.