民事公益诉讼惩罚性赔偿适用研究

Research on the Application of Punitive Damages in Civil Public Interest Litigation

摘要: 自2012年民事公益诉讼制度确立以来，惩罚性赔偿能否在民事公益诉讼中适用就一直存在讨论与争议。民事公益诉讼最终目的是维护社会公共利益，而民事公益诉讼现有责任承担方式以补偿性赔偿为原则，对公益侵害人以及社会公众尤其是潜在侵害人的威慑不足，导致公益维护效果差。同时现有实践中还存在惩罚性赔偿金的计算标准不统一、惩罚性赔偿金与行政罚款及刑事罚金之间关系不明确、惩罚性赔偿金的使用及管理方式缺乏秩序等问题。针对上述问题，可以通过立法明确惩罚性赔偿在民事公益诉讼中的合法地位；提出针对性的惩罚性赔偿金计算方式；区分惩罚性赔偿金与行政罚款及刑事罚金的性质不同；建立民事公益诉讼基金账户等。以此构建并完善民事公益诉讼惩罚性赔偿制度，遏制公益侵害事件频发，维护社会公共利益。

Abstract: Since the establishment of the civil public interest litigation system in 2012, there have been dis-cussions and disputes about whether punitive damages can be applied in civil public interest litiga-tion. The ultimate goal of civil public interest litigation is to protect the public interest, while the existing liability of civil public interest litigation is based on the principle of compensatory com-pensation, which is insufficient to deter public interest infringers and the public, especially poten-tial infringers, resulting in poor public interest maintenance. At the same time, there are still prob-lems in current practice such as the inconsistent calculation standards of punitive damages, the un-clear relationship between punitive damages and administrative fines and criminal penalties, and the lack of order in the use and management of punitive damages. In response to the above prob-lems, legislation can be used to clarify the legal status of punitive damages in civil public interest litigation, propose specific calculation methods for punitive damages, distinguish the nature of pu-nitive damages from administrative fines and criminal fines, establish civil public interest litigation fund accounts, etc. In this way, we will construct and improve the punitive compensation system in civil public interest litigation, curb the frequent occurrence of public interest infringements, and safeguard the public interest.