Research on the Priority Compensation Rights of Actual Constructors in Construction Engineering

在建筑工程领域，实际施工人作为直接参与工程建设的主体，长期面临工程款拖欠导致的权益保障困境。本文以典型案例为切入点，结合司法解释与法律条文，系统探讨实际施工人优先受偿权的认定标准、法理基础及实践争议。研究表明实际施工人的认定需严格遵循“非法转包、违法分包”等无效合同链条下的核心要件；赋予其优先受偿权契合《民法典》保护弱势群体及维护市场稳定的立法初衷，但实践中仍存在裁判标准分歧、权利冲突(如消费者购房权优先性)、程序规则模糊等突出问题。对此，建议通过细化司法解释、统一司法裁判尺度、构建工程款支付担保机制等路径，完善实际施工人权益保障体系，推动建筑行业法治化与规范化发展，最终实现工程款高效清偿与社会公平正义的协同目标。In the field of construction engineering, actual constructors, as direct participants in project implementation, have long faced challenges in safeguarding their rights due to delayed payment of project funds. This article begins with a typical case study, combining judicial interpretations and legal provisions to systematically examine the identification criteria, legal foundations, and practical controversies surrounding the priority claim rights of actual constructors. The research demonstrates that the identification of actual constructors must strictly adhere to core requirements under invalid contractual chains such as “illegal subcontracting” and “unlawful apportionment.” Granting them priority claim rights aligns with the legislative intent of The Civil Code to protect vulnerable groups and maintain market stability. However, practical challenges persist, including divergent judicial standards, conflicts of rights (e.g., the precedence of consumer housing rights), and ambiguities in procedural rules. To address these issues, the article proposes refining judicial interpretations, unifying adjudication standards, and establishing project payment guarantee mechanisms to enhance the protection system for actual constructors. These measures aim to promote the rule of law and standardization in the construction industry, ultimately achieving the dual goals of efficient project fund settlement and social fairness and justice.