论挂户车辆的赔偿责任
河南君洁律师事务所 马英杰
关键词:道路交通事故损害赔偿 挂户车辆 挂户人 被挂户人 赔偿责任 连带责任
摘要:目前,我国道路交通事故频发,对公民生命财产和国家财产安全构成严重威胁,交通事故总量已由1986年的29万起上升到2005年的45万余起,死亡人数由1986年的5万2人上升到2002年的10.9万人,2005年近10万人死亡,直接财产损失18.8亿元。道路交通安全法的颁布施行使得交通事故处理部门调解案件数量下降,人民法院审理的道路交通损害赔偿纠纷案件一定程度上升。挂户车辆作为我国特殊国情下出现的普遍现象,挂户车辆发生交通事故后如何确定赔偿主体,被挂户人是否应当承担民事责任、承担何种责任及承担责任后的追偿权等问题不得不引起我们的关注,但是我国民法理论及实务中对挂户车辆损害赔偿问题没有较多的研究,现行法律对此又无明确规定,全国各地各级法院各行其是,相同的案情在不同地区的法院的判决结果很有可能不一致甚至差异很大,再加上全国各地法院制订出各个不同的“指导性文件”,直接影响到挂户车辆损害赔偿案件的公正性与公平性,动摇了人们对法律的公平信念,有些甚至严重影响了相关法律关系主体的合法权利,促使我们不得不对这个问题进行深入的研究与探讨。
一、车辆挂户的现状及存在问题。车辆挂户是现阶段我国特殊国情下的普遍现象,所谓车辆挂户是指由挂户人出资购买车辆,为了交通营运方便或者其他种种原因,在机动车登记管理部门将自己所购车辆登记被挂户人名下的现象。车辆挂户现象是计划经济向市场经济过渡过程中出现的车辆营运和管理不规范的产物,挂户人(公民、合伙、法人及其他组织)是车辆的实际所有权人,能够占有支配车辆,并享有该车的运行利益。被挂户人(公民、合伙、法人及其他组织)是在机动车登记管理部门登记的车主,是车辆的名义所有权人和法定车主,对车辆具有一定的支配控制权并享有一定的运行利益。常见的车辆挂户的类型有以下四种:私车公挂(为表述方便,本文所谓“公”是指法人及其他组织,“私”是指公民个人或者合伙)、私车私挂、公车私挂、公车公挂。私车公挂即我们常说的挂靠,所谓车辆挂靠是指由个人或者个人合伙出资购买车辆,为了交通营运过程中的方便或者其他原因,将车辆登记为某个具有运输经营资质的单位(或者其他个人)名下,以他人的名义进行运营的现象,此为最典型的车辆挂户现象。车辆挂靠是中国特殊国情下的畸形产物,市场经济正常要求从事运输经营要有一定的运输资质和承担市场风险能力,但是具有运输资质的企业并没有太多的资金去购买车辆,另一方面一些个人却是有资金购买车辆却不具有从事运输经营的资质,市场经济又需要一定数量的具有资质的车辆从事交通运输,在现代企业制度没有形成的情况下三者结合才产生出的一个市场经济的畸形儿——车辆挂靠。事实上大多数运输公司只是些空壳,车辆全部归挂靠人所有,交通运输企业简直就是一个车辆混合体。全国各地的出租车公司车辆基本都是个人所有,但均要挂靠在出租车公司名下方可从事出租车营运,从事货物运输的及一些特种车辆经营状况也是如此。车辆挂靠现象在一定程度上满足了交通运输实际的需要,给一些单位、个人带来了可观的运输效益,但存在相当多的隐患和问题。近期江西、山西省、山东省、上海市等一些省市相继出台了一些规范和限制车辆挂靠的规定,规范目前存在的车辆挂靠管理及相关问题。私车私挂既个人或者个人合伙出资购买车辆因某些特殊原因(在政府机关任职等),而自己所购车辆在机动车登记管理部门登记在他人名下或其中一个合伙人名下的现象,此种车辆挂户方式亦较为常见。公车私挂即单位或者其他组织出资购买车辆,为躲避债务或者车辆超标等特殊原因,而将所购买车辆登记在某一公民个人名下的现象,此种挂户现象也较为常见。较为少见的是公车公挂,一单位或者其他组织购买的车辆而登记在其他单位名下的现象。同时笔者认为,所有车辆买卖未办过户手续的现象均属于车辆挂户并包含在以上四种常见类型之中。车辆挂户是典型的名实不符的违法行为,该现象不仅仅给机动车登记管理工作带来严重不便,同时也给机动车产权的界定增加许多困难,用以合法形式掩饰种种非法目的,给交通运输安全带来较大负面影响,尤其是挂户车辆发生交通事故造成他人人身伤害及财产损失时,给事故处理带来相当大的难度,致使受害人受损合法权益不能得到及时充分救济。
二、挂户车辆发生道路交通事故诉讼主体的确定及责任的承担。对于挂户车辆发生道路交通事故产生赔偿纠纷,挂户人和被挂户人所要承担的法律责任问题法律法规及司法解释至今没有明确规定,全国各省市高级法院各有各的指导性意见,而且这些指导性意见规定又截然相反。同样是挂户车辆发生交通事故,在山东省发生的交通事故被挂户人不用承担赔偿责任或者承担极少责任,但到了安徽省就要承担车辆赔偿责任,到了河南省有的地市要承担责任而有的地市就不承担责任。分歧的重点是被挂户人是否应当承担赔偿责任及承担何种责任,就此问题大致有以下几种观点:1、被挂户人承担垫付责任。如北京市、上海市、四川省、广西壮族自治区、重庆市等。垫付责任的理论依据是基于挂户人是以其名义从事交通运输经营,作为名义车主和法律形式的车主,在发生交通事故后应当对受害人承担承担垫付责任。2、被挂户人和挂户人承担连带赔偿责任。如安徽省、河南省、山东省、江苏省等。该观点认为,由挂户人承担赔偿责任,被挂户人承担连带赔偿责任。其理由是交通事故损害赔偿是一种特殊侵权赔偿,而被挂户人从法律意义上讲就是车辆所有人,对所挂户的车辆没有尽到监督、管理的义务、造成侵害赔偿,均以过错共同侵权论处,对挂户车辆承担连带赔偿责任。3、有限连带责任。如天津市、福建省、山东省部分地市、河南省部分地市等。该观点认为,交通事故应由挂户人承担赔偿责任,被挂户人在收取该车辆管理费范围内承担有限连带赔偿责任,其理由是被挂户人与挂户个人二者是挂户与被挂户关系,被挂户人对挂户车辆形式上有所有权,实质上挂户人受益的只是收取管理费这一小部分。因而,依据《民法通则》权利和义务一致原则,被挂户人在收取管理费范围内承担有限连带赔偿责任是公平公正的。4、不承担责任。河北省部分地区、吉林省部分地区。该观点认为肇事车辆虽挂户在被挂户人处,但被挂户人不是车辆的实际所有权人,又不是车辆营运收入的受益人,所以对挂户车辆发生交通事故造成损失不应承担责任。5、买卖车辆未过户的挂户车辆被挂户人不承担赔偿责任。全国相当部分法院都是此种做法,该观点所谓理论依据是车辆支配控制理论和运行利益理论,所谓法律依据是最高人民法院(2001)民一他字第32号答复江苏省高级法院的复函 “连环购车未办理过户手续,因车辆已交付,原车主既不能支配该车的运营,也能不能从该车的运营利益中获得利益,故原车主不应对机动车发生交通事故致人损害承担责任。但是,连环购车未办理过户手续的行为,违反有关行政管理法规的,应受其规定的调整。”
笔者认为上述第1种承担垫付责任的观点没有充分考虑车辆的支配权和运行利益,如仅是被挂户人垫付,但不让挂户人承担连带赔偿责任,会出现被挂户人如果故意不承担垫付责任受害人权益将无法保障的情况。第3、4、观点狭隘地理解了危险责任和报偿责任理论,机械地套搬西方的支配论和运行利益学说,第5种观点则是第4种观点的变种,纵容包庇车辆挂户的违法行为,给个别人逃避法律责任制造依据。上述几种观点均未准确理解危险责任和报偿理论,未能准确理解道路交通事故是特殊侵权纠纷,不能及时充分地对受害人的权益予以救济。而第2种挂户车辆的被挂户人和挂户人应当承担连带赔偿责任的观点不仅有理论依据也有法律依据。笔者认为,道路交通事故损害赔偿是特殊侵权纠纷,在车辆挂户关系中,被挂户人和挂户人是其内部关系,在其外部关系中,挂户车辆是以被挂户人名义从事的营运活动,挂户人支配车辆并享有车辆运行利益,被挂户人同意且放任挂户人以其名义进行具有交通安全危险的民事活动,如发生交通事故挂户车辆负事故责任则被挂户人与挂户人二者构成共同侵权,所以应当由被挂户人与挂户人承担连带赔偿责任。如被挂户人承担赔偿责任后,可依据其内部挂户合同约定向挂户人追偿,安徽省高级人民法院2006年2月10日关于《审理人身损害赔偿案件若干问题的指导意见》皖高法(2006)56号 已率先对此作出明确规定。(说明:该指导意见中的挂户单位即本文中的被挂户人,车辆实际所有权人为本文的挂户人)
〈一〉、被挂户人与挂户人均是危险物——挂户车辆的支配者,也是危险活动——交通运输活动的经营者,应当承担危险责任。所谓危险责任,是近代西方侵权行为法发展的产物,是指具有危险性的物或活动,一方面因其存在对于社会有着重要的有益性,但另一方面,它又不可避免地致社会于损害,对于这些危险又唯有危险物的支配者和危险活动的经营者可得预防和减少,从而对于这些危险物或危险活动所产生的侵害当然就应当由危险物的支配者和危险活动的经营者负其责任。持被挂户人不应承担挂户车辆事故责任的人认为,挂户人是挂户车辆的支配者、交通运输活动的控制者,而被挂户人无法支配车辆,也不能对交通运输活动进行实际的控制,所以对挂户车辆所发生的交通事故损害,也就当然应当由挂户人承担,被挂户人不应承担交通事故的损害赔偿责任。笔者认为这种观点是狭隘的,其对危险责任的认识和理解是片面的。无论何种形式的挂户关系,作为被挂户人对挂户车辆的运行危险是明知的,对以其名义进行交通运输活动是依照挂户合同认可的,对于挂户车辆和交通运输活动是能够在宏观上进行支配和控制的,否则,不允许挂户即可。宏观对挂户车辆进行管理与具体从事交通运输活动对车辆管理是相辅相成的,是层次不同的支配和控制而已,尤其是机动车登记具有物权公示的对外效力,让被挂户人与挂户人承担连带赔偿责任正与危险责任的目的一致。
〈二〉、被挂户人与挂户人对所有挂户车辆均享有运行利益,由被挂户人对挂户车辆损害承担赔偿责任不违反报偿责任理论。所谓报偿责任,乃是从罗马法“获得利益的人负担危险”这一法谚发展而来,各人虽可依自己之意志追求自身利益,但如果因此害及于他人的利益时,则作为利益追求的费用,应负担其损失,让追求利益之人同时负担其损失。持被挂户人不应承担挂户车辆事故赔偿的人认为,被挂户人为挂户车辆提供服务,作为被挂户人尽管从挂户车辆处定期收取一定的管理费用或者承包费用,但该费用的性质是为挂户车辆的车主提供各项服务的费用,而非从车辆运营中获得利益,所以不应认定收取管理服务费是取得运行利益。也就是说被挂户人没有从挂户车辆的运营中获得利益,也就不应当对挂户车辆损害承担赔偿责任。持被挂户人在收取管理费范围内承担赔偿责任者承认收取管理费是获得了挂户车辆的运行利益,但其得到的运行利益是有限的——管理费,所以被挂户人也只能在收取管理费的范围内对挂户车辆损害承担有限赔偿责任,无偿挂户则不应承担赔偿责任。笔者认为上述两种观点均没有准确理解报偿责任理论的运行利益。在各种各样的所谓挂户关系中,挂户人一般会收取一定数额的管理费,以"出租资质"名义的方式,"管理""挂户"的机动车,收取"管理费"。这种收取管理费的行为应该视为一种机动车运行利益的归属。挂户人运行被挂户的机动车,获得了一定的运行利益,但这也是以被挂户人的名义收取的。而被挂户人则是可以收取管理费取得了挂户机动车的一部分运行利益。还要注意的情况是,可能会有所谓"无偿挂户"的情况,即挂户人并不收取任何费用,只是因为种种关系让挂户人的车辆挂户到自己名下,对于这种实施"无偿挂户"行为的挂户人,当挂户车辆的运行给他人造成损害时,似乎不应使其承担赔偿责任。但是需要注意的是,被挂户人此时仍然有着自己的运行利益——种种关系,这些人方面的联系,曲折地都与挂户车辆的运行利益相关联,运行利益不仅仅财产化,而且会有各式各样的形式。
〈三〉、机动车登记具有物权公示效力,被挂户人作为法定车主应当对以自己名义登记的挂户车辆产生的损害承担赔偿责任,作为挂户人的实际所有权人则应当承担连带赔偿责任。《中华人民共和国道路交通安全法》第九条第(一)项规定: 申请机动车登记,应当提交以下证明、凭证: (一)机动车所有人的身份证明; 第十二条 第(一)项有下列情形之一的,应当办理相应的登记: (一)机动车所有权发生转移的;《中华人民共和国道路交通安全法实施条例》第五条规定 初次申领机动车号牌、行驶证的,应当向机动车所有人住所地的公安机关交通管理部门申请注册登记。申请机动车注册登记,应当交验机动车,并提交以下证明、凭证: (一)机动车所有人的身份证明; (二)购车发票等机动车来历证明; 第七条规定 已注册登记的机动车所有权发生转移的,应当及时办理转移登记。 由上述规定足以得出机动车登记具有物权公示的对外效力的结论。
车辆挂户关系中,挂户人交纳各种税费、投保、年检都是以被挂户人名义人进行,车辆登记的法定车主是被挂户人而不是挂户人,且挂靠户人所从事的交通运输活动是以被挂户人的名义实施的。从维护交通事故受害人利益和其权利实现的角度出发,被挂户人出借其资质、名义,就应当对挂户人的行为承担责任。因为任何"公益行为"都不应该给社会带来危险,对自己允许的使用自己名义实施危险作业给他人造成损害而无资力赔偿者,被挂户人又可以不负责任,这实际上就等于允许有民事责任资力的组织帮助无民事责任资力的个人或组织欺骗社会。这样做,既不利于交易安全,更不利于受害人的权利的救济保护。
另外,挂户人以被挂户人名义从事交通运输活动,挂户人本身不具有相应从事运输活动的资质,国家只所以强调市场准入,强调资质,正是考虑到交通运输活动的公益性和风险性,挂户人个人无能力承担相应地市场风险和运输风险。挂户这个畸形儿并非法律所认可,相反法律法规是对此是明令禁止的,由于我国市场经济发展的配套法律制度尚不完善,短期内挂户这个畸形儿在还不可能消除。对此一些地方已相继出台一些规定,叫停挂户车辆,并明确了挂户车辆的责任承担问题。山东省交通厅出台的《加强道路运输挂靠租赁承包经营车辆安全生产管理规定》,明确道路运输企业法定代表人是安全生产的第一责任人,对其挂靠、租赁承包经营车辆的安全生产负全面责任;对挂靠、租赁承包经营车辆发生运输生产事故,由所在运输企业负责处理事故,运输企业先行进行赔偿。 江西省则明确规定:凡以企业名义经营的客车,发生安全与商务事故或违章经营行为,由企业对社会承担责任,挂靠或承包人依合同对企业承担责任。
附:部分省高级法院相关规定:
江苏省高级人民法院2001年全省民事审判工作座谈会纪要、苏高法(2001)319号文。关于挂靠经营的机动车致人损害的责任承担挂靠经营的机动车发生交通事故造成他人损害的,应由挂靠人和被挂靠人连带承担赔偿责任。挂靠人与被挂靠人之间约定被挂靠人对交通事故的后果免责的,仅在双方之间具有约束力,不能对抗第三人。
天津市高级人民法院《关于审理交通事故赔偿案件有关问题的经验总结》津高法(2004)64号文。被挂靠车辆在运行中造成他人损害的,按照下列规定处理:(1)若被挂靠单位收取了管理费或得到了经济利益,由挂靠人承担赔偿责任,被挂靠单位在收取的管理费和得到的经济利益总额内承担连带责任。(2)若被挂靠单位未收取管理费或未取得其他经济利益,仅仅是基于地方政府管理的要求挂靠或强制挂靠,被挂靠单位不承担赔偿责任。
吉林省高级人民法院关于印发《关于审理道路交通事故损害赔偿案件若干问题的的会议纪要》的通知27,出租车公司的出租车发生道路交通事故造成损的,以出租车公司为被告,由出租车公司承担损害赔偿责任。29,发生道路交通事故的机动车属于个人所有而挂靠在国有、集体单位或其他单位名下的,应当将挂靠人和被挂靠人列为共同被告,由挂靠人和被挂靠人承担连带赔偿责任。
安徽省高级人民法院《审理人身损害赔偿案件若干问题的指导意见》皖高法(2006)56号 2006年2月10日 第八条机动车发生交通事故造成他人伤害的,由在机动管理部门登记的车辆所有人承担赔偿责任。在机动车管理部门登记的车辆所有人与他人签订协议转让机动车的所有人,但没有到机动车管理部门办理变更登记,机动车发生交通事故造成他人伤害的,按本意见规定的挂户车辆处理。 第九条挂户车辆发生交通事故造成他人伤害的,由挂户单位(个人)与实际车辆所有人承担连带责任。车辆挂户是指按口头或书面协议,在机动车管理部门将车辆登记在他人名下。 第十条挂户单位(个人)承担责任后,有权向车辆实际所有人追偿。车辆实际所有人能举证证明已向挂户单位(个人)交纳了管理费用,但挂户单位(个人)没有履行挂户合同约定的监督管理义务的,挂户单位(个人)应自行承担一定责任。挂户单位(个人)收取管理费用,又与车辆实际所有人有“发生交通事故后不承担任何责任”等类似约定,要求车辆实际所有人承担全部责任的,不予支持。 第十一条出租车发生交通事故造成他人人身伤亡、财产损失,车辆属于出租车公司的,出租车公司承担责任;挂户经营的,按前两条规定处理。 山东省高级人民法院民事审判会议纪要 鲁高法〔2005〕201号(七)关于交通事故损害赔偿责任主体的确定问题。道路交通损害赔偿案件是一类特殊的侵权案件,根据最高人民法院有关司法解释的精神,其责任主体一般应根据对机动车运行支配权与运行利益的归属来确定。对于机动车挂靠经营情形下发生道路交通事故的,原则上应由挂靠人或者实际车主承担损害赔偿责任,但被挂靠人从挂靠车辆的经营中取得利益的,应承担适当的赔偿责任。
河南省高级人民法院关于当前民事审判若干问题的指导意见:三、关于审理道路交通事故案件的意见第五十一条 对于被告的确认,原告有选择起诉权,法院应参照本意见第四条的原则处理,被告应是在发生道路交通事故时,控制支配车辆的运行并享有运营利益的人。(八)未办理过户手续的车辆发生道路变通事故,致他人受到损害而引起损害赔偿纠纷的,以发生道路交通事故时的车辆实际占有人为被告(九)发生交通事故的车辆属于个人合伙且应当把车辆所有人列为被告时,如个人合伙起有字号,以依法核准登记的字号为被告;个人合伙未起字号的,以全体合伙人为被告(十)发生交通事故的车辆所属单位名为国营或集体,实为个人或合伙,以车辆财产所有人为被告(十一)发生交通事故的车辆属于私人所有而以单位名义经营的,或自己所有的车辆以他人名义经营的,以双方为被告。
广东省高级人民法院 、广东省公安厅《关于施行后处理道路交通事故案件若干问题的意见》21、人民法院经审理依法确定各自应承担的责任后,对于未超过责任限额范围的部分,根据受害方的请求,可判决由保险公司承担赔偿责任,也可判决由机动车所有人、车辆实际支配人及驾驶员承担连带赔偿责任,还可判决保险公司和机动车所有人、车辆实际支配人及驾驶员承担连带赔偿责任。对于超过责任限额范围的部分,判决由机动车所有人、车辆实际支配人、驾驶员承担连带赔偿责任。37、根据《道路交通安全法》第九条、第十二条的规定,机动车所有人是指机动车在车辆管理机关登记的单位和个人。本指导意见所称“车辆实际支配人”是指在车辆异动中未办理过户手续的买受人(发生多手交易均未过户的,为最后一次买卖关系的买受人)、受赠人、车辆承租人、借用人、挂靠人和承包经营人。
最高人民法院(2001)民一他字第32号答复江苏省高级法院的复函 “连环购车未办理过户手续,因车辆已交付,原车主既不能支配该车的运营,也能不能从该车的运营利益中获得利益,故原车主不应对机动车发生交通事故致人损害承担责任。但是,连环购车未办理过户手续的行为,违反有关行政管理法规的,应受其规定的调整。
作者姓名、单位:马英杰 河南君洁律师事务所
联系电话:0393-4413702 13303936585 Email:hnmyj@tom.com
MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE ——附加英文版
Hong Kong
MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE
(CHAPTER 163)
CONTENTS
ion
I PRELIMINARY
hort title and application
nterpretation
rdinance not to apply to authorized institutions
egistrar of Money Lenders and supervisory functions of Registrar
fficial secrecy
nspection of register
Documents admissible in evidence
II LICENSING OF MONEY LENDERS
estriction on carrying on of business of money lender
pplication for licence and public notification of application
nvestigation and lodgement of applications
Licensing court
Selection of assessors and payment of fees to assessors
Powers of licensing court
Immunity
Determination of application for licence
Effect and duration of licence
Renewal
Revocation and suspension
Transfer of licence and addition or substitution of new premises
Appeals
Duty to notify changes of particulars
III MONEY LENDERS' TRANSACTIONS
Form of agreement
Duty of money lender to give information to borrower
Duty of money lender to give information to surety
Early payment by borrower
Illegal agreements
Loan etc. not recoverable unless money lender licensed
IV EXCESSIVE INTEREST RATES
Prohibition of excessive interest rates
Reopening of certain transactions
V GENERAL
Restriction on money-lending advertisements
Charges for expenses etc. not recoverable
Power of Registrar and police to enter premises and inspect books,
Offences by money lenders
Offences of fraudulent inducement and obstruction
Offences relating to licensing court
Liability for offences by companies
Penalties and disqualification
Time limitation for instituting certain prosecutions
Burden of proof
General exemptions
Specific exemptions
Legislative Council may amend Schedule 1
Regulations
Saving
Existing loans
dule 1
dule 2
provide for the control and regulation of money lenders and
money-
ing transactions, the appointment of a Registrar of Money Lenders
and
licensing of persons carrying on business as money lenders; to
provide
ection and relief against excessive interest rates and
extortionate
ulations in respect of loans; to provide for offences and for
matters
ected with or incidental to the foregoing; and to repeal the
Money-
ers Ordinance 1911.
December 1980] L. N. 347 of 1980
PART I PRELIMINARY
hort title and application
This Ordinance may be cited as the Money Lenders Ordinance.
This Ordinance shall have effect notwithstanding any agreement
to the
rary.
nterpretation
In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires--
pany" means a body corporate--
incorporated under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32);
incorporated by any other Ordinance; or
incorporated or established outside Hong Kong; (Added 69 of 1988
s. 2)
qualified person" means a person in respect of whom there is in
force
rder made by a court under section 32 (2);
ective rate", in relation to interest, means the true
annual
entage rate of interest calculated in accordance with Schedule
2;
nded 69 of 1988 s. 2)
m" means an unincorporate body of 2 or more individuals, or 1 or
more
viduals and 1 or more companies, or 2 or more companies, who
have
red into partnership with one another with a view to
carrying on
ness for profit; (Amended 69 of 1988 s. 2)
erest" does not include any sum lawfully agreed to be
paid in
rdance with this Ordinance on account of stamp duty or other
similar
, but save as aforesaid includes any amount (by whatever name
called)
xcess of the principal, which amount has been or is to be
paid or
ble in consideration of or otherwise in respect of a loan;
ence" means a money lender's licence granted under section
11 or
wed under section 13, and "licensed" and "licensee" have
corresponding
ings; (Amended 69 of 1988 s. 2)
ensing court" means--
a magistrate sitting alone; or
a magistrate sitting with 2 assessors,
he case may be, in accordance with section 10, 14 or 15; (Replaced
69
988 s. 2)
n" includes advance, discount, money paid for or on account of
or on
lf of or at the request of any person, or the forbearance to
require
ent of money owing on any account whatsoever, and every
agreement
tever its terms or form may be) which is in substance or effect
a loan
oney, and also an agreement to secure the repayment of any such
loan,
"lend" and "lender" shall be construed accordingly;
ey lender" means every person whose business (whether or
not he
ies on any other business) is that of making loans or who
advertises
nnounces himself or holds himself out in any way as carrying on
that
ness, but does not include--
a person specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1; or
as respects a loan specified in Part 2 of Schedule 1, any person
who
s such loan; (Amended 69 of 1988 s. 2)
scribed" means prescribed by regulations made under section 34;
ncipal", in relation to a loan, means the amount actually lent;
ister" means the register kept by the Registrar under section 4;
istrar" means the Registrar of Money Lenders appointed under
section
sidiary" means subsidiary within the meaning of section 2
of the
anies Ordinance (Cap. 32). (Added 69 of 1988 s. 2)
For the purposes of this Ordinance, where by an agreement for the
loan
oney the interest charged on the loan is not expressed in terms
of a
, any amount paid or payable to the lender under the agreement
(other
simple interest charged in accordance with the proviso to section
22)
l be appropriated to principal and interest in the proportion that
the
l amount of principal bears to the total amount of the interest,
and
rate per cent per annum represented by the interest
charged as
ulated in accordance with Schedule 2 shall be deemed to be the
rate of
rest charged on the loan. (Amended 69 of 1988 s. 2)
For the purpose of determining the amount of the principal of a
loan,
amount thereof which is not shown to have been lent except for
the
ose of treating it as an instalment paid by the borrower in
repayment
he loan and which is so treated by the lender shall be disregarded.
References in this Ordinance to an assessor are references to a
person
inted to a panel of assessors under section 7A of the
Magistrates
nance (Cap. 227). (Added 69 of 1988 s. 2)
rdinance not to apply to authorized institutions
Ordinance shall not apply to--
an authorized institution within the meaning of the Banking
Ordinance
. 155); or
as respects a loan made to such an authorized institution, any
person
makes such loan.
laced 69 of 1988 s. 3)
egistrar of Money Lenders and supervisory functions of Registrar
The Governor shall appoint a public officer to be the
Registrar of
y Lenders.
The Registrar shall establish and maintain a register in
which he
l cause to be kept particulars, other than specified particulars,
of--
applications for the grant or renewal of licences; (Amended 69
of 1988
)
licences which are in force or have been revoked or suspended;
such other matters, if any, as he thinks fit.
In this section "specified particulars" means particulars
furnished
r section 8 which are specified in regulations made under
section 34
articulars which shall not be entered in the register.
fficial secrecy
Except as may be necessary for the exercise or performance
of any
tion or duty under this Ordinance or for carrying into
effect the
isions of this Ordinance, the Registrar and every person
employed in
ying out or in assisting any person to carry out the
provisions of
Ordinance--
shall preserve and aid in preserving secrecy with regard
to all
ers relating to the affairs of any person that may come
to his
ledge in the exercise or performance of any function or duty
under
Ordinance;
shall not communicate any such matter to any person other
than the
on to whom such matter relates; and
shall not suffer or permit any person to have access to any records
in
possession, custody or control of any person to whom this
subsection
ies.
Subsection (1) does not apply--
to the disclosure of information in the form of a summary of
similar
rmation provided by a number of persons if the summary is so framed
as
revent particulars relating to the business of any particular
person
g ascertained from it;
to the disclosure of information with a view to the institution
of, or
rwise for the purposes of, any criminal proceedings; (Replaced
69 of
s. 5)
in connection with any civil proceedings arising out of, or
relating
section 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 33, 33B or 36; or (Added 69 of 1988
s. 5)
to the disclosure of information to the Financial
Secretary, the
etary for Monetary Affairs, or any public officer authorized
by the
ncial Secretary for the purposes of this paragraph where,
in the
ion of the Registrar, it is desirable or expedient that
information
ld be disclosed in the public interest. (Added 69 of 1988 s. 5)
Any person who--
contravenes subsection (1); or
aids, abets, counsels or procures any person to contravene
subsection
commits an offence and shall be liable to a fine of $ 100,000 and
to
isonment for 2 years.
nspection of register
Any person shall be entitled on payment of the prescribed fee--
to inspect the register during ordinary office hours and take
copies
ny entry; or
to obtain from the Registrar a copy, certified by or
under the
ority of the Registrar to be correct, of any entry in the register.
The Registrar shall give public notice, in such manner as he may
deem
of the place where and the times when the register may be
inspected.
Documents admissible in evidence
cument purporting to be a copy, certified by or under the
authority of
Registrar to be true and correct, of any entry in the register
shall
dmissible in evidence in criminal or civil proceedings
before any
t on its production without further proof and, until the
contrary is
ed, the court shall presume that--
the signature and certification to the document is that
of the
strar or a person authorized by him in that behalf, and
the document is a true and correct copy.
ed 69 of 1988 s. 6)
PART II LICENSING OF MONEY LENDERS
estriction on carrying on of business of money lender
No person shall carry on business as a money lender--
without a licence;
at any place other than the premises specified in such licence;
or
rwise than in accordance with the conditions of a licence.
A licence shall be in the prescribed form.
pplication for licence and public notification of application
An application for a licence shall be made to the Registrar in
the
cribed form and in the prescribed manner, and shall be accompanied
by
prescribed fee and a statement in writing containing the
prescribed
iculars in respect of the application.
An application made under this section in respect of a company
may be
by any person authorized in that behalf by such company. (Amended
69
988 s. 7)
An application made under this section in respect of partners
in a
may be made by any such partner.
The Registrar shall, in such manner as may be prescribed, give
public
ce of every application made under this section.
nvestigation and lodgement of applications
Where an application is made under section 8, the applicant
shall at
same time send a copy of the application to the
Commissioner of
ce, and the Commissioner of Police may cause an investigation
to be
ied out in respect of the application for the purpose of
determining
her, in the opinion of the Commissioner of Police, there are
grounds
objecting to the application under section 11.
For the purpose of carrying out an investigation under this
section,
Commissioner of Police may in writing require the applicant to
produce
inspection such books, records or documents or to
furnish such
rmation relating to the application or any business carried
on or
nded to be carried on by him as the Commissioner of
Police may
ify.
In respect of an application made under section 8, no step other
than
registration of such application shall be taken by the Registrar
prior
the date on which a period of 60 days after the date on which
the
ication is made expires; or
the date on which the Commissioner of Police notifies the
Registrar
any investigation carried out under this section in respect of
the
ication has been completed, whichever is the earlier (in this
section
rred to as "the material date").
Where the Registrar or the Commissioner of Police intends to
object
r section 11 to any application for a licence, he shall, not
later
7 days after the material date, serve notice on the applicant of
his
ntion to object and of the grounds of such objection; and where
such
ce is served by the Commissioner of Police, he shall send a
copy
eof to the Registrar.
Upon the expiration of a period of 7 days after the material date
in
ect of any application made under section 8, the Registrar shall
lodge
application with such magistrate as he deems fit, together with
a copy
ny notice served on the applicant under subsection (4).
(Replaced 69
988 s. 8)
The Registrar shall give notice to the Commissioner of Police of
any
ement made under subsection (5).
Licensing court
Where an application is lodged under section 9 (5), the
licensing
t shall hear and determine the application in accordance with
section
For the purposes of hearing and determining an application
lodged
r section 9 (5), the licensing court shall be constituted by-
-
where no notice has been served on the applicant under section
9 (4)
1 (2) (b) (i), subject to subsection (3), a magistrate sitting
alone;
where a notice has been served on the applicant under section 9
(4) or
2) (b) (i), a magistrate sitting with 2 assessors.
Without limiting the generality of the power of the licensing
court
r section 10B (f) to adjourn the hearing of an application
lodged
r section 9 (5), the licensing court shall, where--
it is constituted by a magistrate sitting alone; and
it grants leave under section 11 (2) (b) (ii) to a person to object
to
application, adjourn the hearing to another date to be
heard and
rmined by the licensing court constituted by a magistrate sitting
with
sessors.
Where the licensing court is constituted by a magistrate sitting
with
sessors, the decision of the licensing court shall be that
of the
rity of the members and shall be recorded in writing:
ided that the magistrate's rulings on matters of law shall bind
the
nsing court.
The Registrar shall be provided with a copy of each decision of
the
nsing court. (Replaced 69 of 1988 s. 9)
Selection of assessors and payment of fees to assessors
Where under this Ordinance the licensing court is required
to be
tituted by a magistrate sitting with 2 assessors, the Registrar
of the
eme Court shall select those assessors.
Where an assessor selected under subsection (1) attends the
licensing
t for which he has been so selected, he shall, irrespective of
whether
its as an assessor, be paid a fee of an amount equal to the fee
fixed
r section 7A (2) of the Magistrates Ordinance (Cap. 227) to be
paid to
ssessor for his services. (Added 69 of 1988 s. 9)
Powers of licensing court
ect to this Ordinance, the licensing court may determine
its own
edure and in particular may--
receive and consider any material, whether by way of oral
evidence,
ten statements, documents or otherwise, notwithstanding
that such
rial would not be admissible in evidence in civil or
criminal
eedings;
by notice in writing signed by the presiding magistrate, require
any
on to attend before it at any hearing and to give evidence and
produce
ments;
administer oaths and affirmations;
examine on oath, affirmation or otherwise any person attending
before
t any hearing and require such person to answer all questions put
by
ith its consent;
determine the manner in which the material referred to in
paragraph
shall be received; and
adjourn any hearing from time to time as it may deem fit, and may
do
things--
ancillary to the powers conferred by this section; or
reasonably necessary for the discharge of its functions under
this
nance. (Added 69 of 1988 s. 9)
Immunity
-
member of the licensing court; and
witness, party to any proceedings, representative or other
person
aring before the licensing court, shall have the same privileges
and
nities in any proceedings before the licensing court or
in the
cise of the licensing court's functions as he would have
before a
t in civil proceedings.
ed 69 of 1988 s. 9)
Determination of application for licence
The licensing court shall fix a date for the hearing of an
application
ed under section 9 (5) and shall give 14 clear days' notice of
such
to the applicant, the Registrar and the Commissioner of Police.
nded 69 of 1988 s. 10)
Subject to subsection (3), the licensing court shall grant a
licence
the hearing of an application lodged under section 9 (5)
except
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