Law of France

The body of laws and legal institutions governing France, rooted chiefly in civil law and shaped by national legislation and constitutional principles.

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Constitution of France: France’s supreme legal framework, establishing public institutions, rights, and the limits of state authority. It defines the institutions and constitutional principles that structure French law.
French judiciary: The courts and judicial institutions that adjudicate disputes and apply law in France. It applies French law through the ordinary court system.
French Revolution: The period of political and social upheaval in France beginning in 1789 that ended the monarchy and transformed the state. Revolutionary reforms dismantled many pre-existing legal privileges and institutions.
Civil law (legal system): A legal tradition in which comprehensive written codes and legislation are primary sources of law. French law is a prominent example of this legal tradition.
French Civil Code: France’s foundational code governing core areas of private law, including persons, property, and obligations. It is the central codification of private law in France.
Court of Cassation: France’s highest court for civil and criminal matters, reviewing the application of law by lower courts. Its rulings guide how ordinary courts interpret and apply statutes.
Napoleonic Code: The 1804 French civil code that consolidated civil law and influenced legal systems around the world. Its codification shaped the modern French Civil Code and civil-law tradition.
Common law: A legal tradition in which judicial decisions and precedent are central sources of law. Its stronger emphasis on precedent contrasts with France’s codified legal tradition.
French administrative law: The body of French law governing public administration and disputes involving public authorities. It forms a distinctive branch of French law for state action and public services.
Conseil d'État: France’s highest administrative court and a government advisory body on legal matters. It oversees administrative justice, a major route for challenging public authority.