東共體法院管轄權制度評析

On the Jurisdiction System of East African Community Court

管轄權制度是考量區域經濟組織法律制度完善性的一個重要方面。東共體是非洲經濟一體化的領跑者，東共體法院作為東共體內個人和成員國進行經濟一體化活動的司法救濟者，管轄權制度在調整東共體與成員國和個人關係中的表現可圈可點。就積極層面而言，東共體法院的先行裁決程序搭建了共同體和成員國間良好互動關係的橋樑，通過發展統一適用的東共體法推進建立一個健全的、權威的共同體法律制度框架。其次，東共體法院也在積極創建與個人的互動關係。寬泛的個人出庭資格和無需用盡當地救濟的程序規定，一方面旨在鼓勵成員國的個人使用東共體法院作為經濟貿易爭議的解決路徑，另一方面也賦予個人充當東共體法的私人監督者，敦促成員國履行東共體法的義務，從而推動了東共體法律的協調化和統一化的進程。但是，就消極層面而言，東共體法院專屬管轄權制度的缺失、成員國以國家主權原則對東共體法院管轄的抗衡以及過度的人權事項管轄權會持續降低東共體法的效力，在一定程度上制約了東非經濟一體化的發展進程。

Jurisdiction system can be seen as the important aspect to improve legal system of regional economic community. The EACJ refers to the judicial remedy for economic integration activities carried out by individuals and member states within EAC as the pacesetter of economic integration in Africa and its jurisdiction system has shown commendable performance in adjusting the relations among EAC, member states and individuals. On the positive perspective, the adjudication procedure of EACJ has provided a bridge for better interaction between EAC and the member states, and promoted the establishment of a sound and authoritative framework of legal system through the development of uniform EAC law. Secondly, EACJ is also actively creating interactive relationships with individuals. Broad personal appearance qualification program rule, such as without exhaustion of local remedies, on the one hand, is designed to encourage individuals to use the EACJ to solve trade disputes as an economic way. On the other hand, private individuals act as the supervisors to urge member states to fulfil the obligation in the EAC, thus promoting legal harmonization and unification during the process. However, on the negative side, some imperfect legal designs will continue to reduce the effectiveness of EAC law, which to some extent restricts the development process of east African economic integration, such as the lack of exclusive jurisdiction of EACJ, the competition of member states with the principle of national sovereignty over EACJ's jurisdiction, and excessive jurisdiction over human rights matters.