종래 우리나라 노동분쟁 해결제도는 행정적 처리 절차 특히, 준사법적 전문행정기관인 노동위원회를 중심으로 구성・운영되어 왔으며 이에 대한 긍정적 평가 역시 상당하다. 그러나 1971년 한국노총이 노동법원 설립을 주장한 이래 전문법원으로서의 노동법원을 도입하자는 논의는 탄생기, 성장기 및 성숙기를 거치며 현재까지 이어지고 있다. 그 과정에서 당초 노동위원회의 심판기능 일체를 노동법원에 이관하는 이른바 “대체론”이 중심을 이루었으나, 최근에는 노동위원회의 심판기능을 유지・강화하면서 노동법원과 “경쟁・보완관계”를 제안하는 변화양상을 보이고 있다. 그러나 50여년 계속되고 있는 노동법원론이 아직까지 결실을 맺지 못하고 있는 근저에는 노동분쟁 처리 절차법의 부재, 노동분쟁의 특수성으로 인한 사법적 분쟁해결 방식에의 비(非) 친화성, 노동분쟁 처리 수요자의 접근 가능성 확보 필요성, 노동위원회 구제명령의 성격 및 노동위원회의 지위에 관한 본질적 문제점 등이 난제로 남겨져 있다. 본 논문은 주로 총론적 관점에서 종래 노동법원 도입론의 시계열적 분석・평가와 함께 보다 현실정합적 관점에서 노동법원 설립・운영 방안의 효용성을 비판적으로 살펴보았다.
Up to now, the Resolution System of Industrial Disputes in Korea was centering around with Administrative Measures, especially Labor Relations Commission, have set a high value on the Administrative Organ with Judicial Power. But there have been many lively discussions on the introduction of Labor Court from the 1970s’ until nowadays, Federation of Korean Trade Unions(FKTU) had advocated the Foundation of Special Court. The Discussions on the Labor Court could be classified into Three Large Groups ; the Period of Birth, Growth and Maturity. At first, the Discussions claimed to Transfer entire Judgment Function of Labor Relations Commission to the Labor Court, so called “Substitution”. But recently, it have turned to offer some constructive Proposals for “Competition & Complement” between Labor Court and Labor Relations Commission with Maintenance & Reinforcement of Judgment Function. Nevertheless, some Difficult Subjects may be in the base of Failure of Discussions on the Labor Court Introduction for 50 years like as ; the Vacuum of Dealing Procedure Act of Industrial Disputes, the Non-familiarity of Judicial Settlement caused by Character of Industrial Disputes, the Easy Approaching for prospective Customer of Industrial Disputes Dealing Procedure, the Character of Relief Measure and the Status of Labor Relations Commission. This paper is researching critically into Discussions on the Labor Court Introduction & Administration from the Practical Point of View with the Analysis of Changing Times.
Up to now, the Resolution System of Industrial Disputes in Korea was centering around with Administrative Measures, especially Labor Relations Commission, have set a high value on the Administrative Organ with Judicial Power. But there have been many lively discussions on the introduction of Labor Court from the 1970s’ until nowadays, Federation of Korean Trade Unions(FKTU) had advocated the Foundation of Special Court. The Discussions on the Labor Court could be classified into Three Large Groups ; the Period of Birth, Growth and Maturity. At first, the Discussions claimed to Transfer entire Judgment Function of Labor Relations Commission to the Labor Court, so called “Substitution”. But recently, it have turned to offer some constructive Proposals for “Competition & Complement” between Labor Court and Labor Relations Commission with Maintenance & Reinforcement of Judgment Function. Nevertheless, some Difficult Subjects may be in the base of Failure of Discussions on the Labor Court Introduction for 50 years like as ; the Vacuum of Dealing Procedure Act of Industrial Disputes, the Non-familiarity of Judicial Settlement caused by Character of Industrial Disputes, the Easy Approaching for prospective Customer of Industrial Disputes Dealing Procedure, the Character of Relief Measure and the Status of Labor Relations Commission. This paper is researching critically into Discussions on the Labor Court Introduction & Administration from the Practical Point of View with the Analysis of Changing Times.