民法第1052條第2項裁判離婚之實證研究

Abstract

本文透過實證研究方法探討3個研究目標：（1）民法第1052條第2項離婚「重大事由」的審酌因素；（2）目前分居是否已經是法官所重視的認定因素，若為肯定，則實務中以多長期間的分居作為考量標準;（3）當事人性別、國籍、有無聘請律師之客觀因素對准駁之影響。

數據選擇2021年1月1日至2021年12月31日期間，以民法第1052條第2項為請求權的一審離婚判決，處理後數據集包括90件一造辯論判決與100件非一造辯論判決（包含7件反訴）。本研究設置了包含「是否存在重大事由」在內的3個因變項，以19個自變項；對於不同的研究目標，本研究對數據集有所微調，基於相應的數據集，本研究對單變項進行了敘述性統計分析，對所有事由自變項與「是否存在重大事由」因變項使用了決策樹模型分析，對判決數據較少的單變項進行了個案分析。

研究發現：（1）民法第1052條第2項 中「重大事由」的審酌標準有伴侶雙方的長期互動狀況、被告維繫婚姻感情的意願、分居5年以上；（2）長期分居雖非核心判斷標準，但卻是婚姻破綻的常見重要表徵，長期的標準在5年左右；（3）女性原告更容易勝訴；外籍被告在訴訟結果上與非外籍被告勝訴率相近，可能沒有受到偏見，惟此部分數據稀少可能有誤差；原告委任律師有助於有助於提高勝訴率，被告委任律師對勝訴率幫助不大，雙方皆委任律師有利於原告。

本文提出研究建議： （1）轉換重大事由認定的原實務標準，將原有的實務認定標準「任何人倘處在同一境況均會喪失維持婚姻意欲的程度」轉換為「婚姻雙方長期互動不良且已失去經營婚姻感情之意願」；（2）分居5年可推定雙方之間具有民法第1052條第2項之離婚重大事由；（3）以分居5年作為責任更高之配偶的責任阻卻事由。

This study employs empirical research methods to examine three research objectives: (1) the factors considered in the evaluation of "gross event" for divorce under Article 1052(II) of the Taiwan Civil Code; (2) the determination of the term "long-term" in relation to its significance in cases of long-term separation; and (3) the impact of objective factors, such as gender, nationality, and legal representation, on the outcome of divorce cases.

The data selected for analysis covers the period from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, and includes 90 contested divorce judgments and 100 uncontested divorce judgments invoking the right under Article 1052(II) of the Taiwan Civil Code. The study defines three dependent variables, including the presence of "gross event " for divorce, and 19 independent variables. The dataset was adjusted based on the specific research objectives, and descriptive statistical analysis was conducted for individual variables. The decision tree model was employed to analyze the relationship between all independent variables and the dependent variable of "gross event " for divorce. Additionally, case analysis was conducted for variables with limited judgment data.

The findings of the study indicate that: (1) the evaluation criteria for "gross event " under Article 1052(II) of the Taiwan Civil Code include long-term poor interaction between the spouses, the defendant's lack of willingness to maintain marital affection, and a separation period of five years or more; (2) although not a central criterion, long-term separation is commonly recognized as an important factor in marital breakdown, with an approximate standard of five years; and (3) female plaintiffs have a higher likelihood of obtaining favorable outcomes, while the nationality of the defendant does not appear to introduce biases in the litigation process. Furthermore, the appointment of legal representation benefits the plaintiff's success rate, whereas the appointment of legal representation for the defendant does not significantly affect the success rate. Mutual legal representation is advantageous for the plaintiff.

Based on these findings, the study offers the following recommendations: (1) revising the existing practical standard for determining "gross event" by shifting the focus from a general standard to an evaluation of long-term poor interaction and a loss of willingness to cultivate marital affection; (2) establishing a presumption of existing "gross event" for divorce under Article 1052(II) of the Taiwan Civil Code after a separation period of five years; and (3) utilizing a five-year period of uninterrupted separation as a legal ground to establish greater responsibility on the part of the spouse bearing a higher burden of fault.