略论自然债务

自然债务是指债权人不能依诉强制履行,但是债务人一旦为给付,则构成有效清偿,债务人不得基于非债清偿而请求返还的债务。自然之债的本质是道德义务的升华,是当事人出于自身道德意识的考虑,自愿选择接受法律规制的结果。自然债务在法律与道德之间起着重要的平衡作用。因此,在我国民法典中进一步完善自然之债的体系,对指导司法实践,完善我国立法有着重要的作用。

A Brief Discussion on Natural Obligation

A natural obligation may be defined as an obligation that cannot be compelled to be enforceable by creditor via litigation, but can be recognized as a valid praestare by the law that excludes condictio indebiti and repetitio solution once the debtor spontaneously makes the commitment. The essence of natural obligation is the sublimation of moral obligation. It results from a voluntary choice of the parties involved to accept the regulation under laws due to the consideration of their own moral awareness. The natural obligation plays a vital role of balance between law and moral. Therefore, it is of great significance to further make the legal system of natural obligation perfect in China's Civil Code so as to guide the judicial practices and improve the legislation in China.