保证期间性质认识的误区及出路

摘要

我国目前对保证期间性质的认识存在着误区。保证期间在特征上与诉讼时效期间和除斥期间具有较多的共性，但也有不可忽视的差异性。只有不拘泥于特征分析，站在民法体系的高度上，联系具体的生活实践，才能看清保证期间的全貌。无论是一般保证期间还是连带保证期间，其性质都是债权人有权通过与保证人协商将保证责任的数额及履行方式具体化的期间。保证期间内债权人要求保证人承担保证责任既是权利也是通知义务。一般保证的债权人起诉债务人以及连带保证的债权人要求保证人承担保证责任可以引起保证期间的中断。保证期间届满导致保证责任免除是推定保证责任为零，而不是消灭了某种实际的权利义务。%There is a misunderstanding in our current understanding of the nature of suretyship period.Though the suretyship period has commonness with the limitation of action and scheduled period,it also has important difference with them.The panorama of suretyship period can be seen only when the obsevers keep off it,stand at the height of civil law system and connect the life practice with it.Both a general surety period and a suretyship of joint and several liability period are periods when the creditor shall have the right to definitize the suretyship liability that the surety shall undertake.It is not only the right but also the information obligation for creditors to demand that the surety shall undertake suretyship liability during the suretyship period.That the creditor files a lawsuit against the surety of a general suretyship or demands that the surety of a suretyship of joint and several liability can cause the interruption of the suretyship period.The expiration of the suretyship period means that the suretyship liability is zero,but is not to destroy some actual rights and duties.