Earticle

초록

영어

This study investigates the doctrinal and practical challenges surrounding the application of the doctrine of changed circumstances within China’s economic contract law framework. The core research problem addressed is the lack of clarity in defining the legal thresholds for applying this doctrine, along with inconsistent judicial interpretations that hinder legal certainty and predictability among contracting parties. The doctrine of changed circumstances, derived from the Roman law concept of rebus sic stantibus, is intended to provide equitable solutions when unforeseen external factors-such as significant market fluctuations, governmental policy shifts, or public health emergenciesfundamentally alter the contractual balance. While the incorporation of this principle into Article 533 of the Civil Code of China marked an important legal development, its application remains inconsistent due to vague statutory language and wide judicial discretion. This paper conducts a doctrinal analysis of Chinese legal provisions and systematically reviews representative court decisions involving economic hardship, including cases affected by price volatility, COVID-19-related disruptions, and administrative regulation changes. These case studies reveal recurring issues such as the ambiguous delineation between changed circumstances and force majeure, as well as the lack of clear procedural guidance for renegotiation obligations. In particular, the paper delves into the practical challenges and theoretical debates surrounding the duty to renegotiate, highlighting its uncertain legal status and operational difficulties in judicial practice. Moreover, through a comparative analysis of theoretical scholarship and judicial reasoning, the study reveals the structural disjunction between legal theory and adjudicative logic and explores potential paths to bridge this gap. To enhance legal coherence, the paper compares China’s approach with those adopted in Germany, France, and Anglo-American jurisdictions. The comparative analysis reveals divergent interpretations and institutional mechanisms, including structured renegotiation procedures, judicial intervention thresholds, and risk allocation doctrines. These models offer valuable insights for reforming the Chinese system. In addition, the paper advocates for clearer legislative standards to define “substantial change” and “manifest unfairness,” the codification of renegotiation obligations as enforceable legal duties, and the issuance of judicial guidelines to reduce discretionary inconsistencies. Economic analysis of law is employed to evaluate the cost-efficiency and normative implications of such reforms. This study contributes to the refinement of China’s contract law by proposing targeted reforms that enhance fairness, contractual stability, and legal certainty in the face of an increasingly volatile economic environment. The research aims to assist both legislators and judicial practitioners in bridging the gap between legal theory and enforceable standards in commercial practice.

목차

Abstract
1. 绪论
2. 情势变更原则概述
2.1 定义与解释
2.2 情势变更的形式
2.3 中国情势变更制度的演进
2.4 情势变更与不可抗力的界限
3. 情势变更原则在经济合同法中的应用
3.1 应对合同履行困境
3.2 应对市场价格波动的灵活工具
3.3 平衡合同责任与现实情况
3.4 情势变更引发的纠纷解决途径
4. 情势变更原则的典型司法案例分析
4.1 市场价格波动引发的合同履行困境
4.2 疫情防控引发的合同履行障碍
4.3 政策调整引发的合同履行障碍
4.4 客观事物引发的合同履行阻碍
5. 各国情势变更原则之比较研究法律基础与适用机制
5.1 德国法上的情势变更原则：以 ≪德国民法典≫ 第313条为中心
5.2 法国法的情势变更原则：协商优先与限制性适用
5.3 英美法中的“契约落空”与“商业挫折”原则
5.4 比较分析与制度启示
6. 情势变更原则在中国经济合同法应用中的问题与对策
6.1 现实应用中存在的主要问题
6.2 完善情势变更原则司法适用的对策建议
6.3 学理界定与司法适用的差异分析
7. 结论
参考文献

키워드

저자

• 李鹏 [ 이붕 | 国立昌原大学 国际贸易学院 ]
• 陈炳镇 [ 진병진 | 国立昌原大学 国际贸易学院 ] Corresponding Author

참고문헌

발행기관

간행물

표지보기 관심저널 등록

• 간행물명

  Journal of China Studies

• 간기

  계간

• pISSN

  1975-5902

• eISSN

  3022-5590

• 수록기간

  2006~2026

• 등재여부

  KCI 등재

• 십진분류

  KDC 912 DDC 951