Principles of French Law

Second Edition

John Bell, Sophie Boyron, and Simon Whittaker

Clear and systematic introduction to the essential features of the major branches of law
Presents French legal terms and concepts in ways that are understandable to common lawyers
Includes a short introduction to French academic methods and current scholarly trends, providing a route into the major areas of controversy within the French legal system

New to this Edition:

Major updates to cover developments in the law of obligations, the Constitution, the new Commercial Code, important legislation on divorce, succession and criminal law, and the impact of the EU and ECHR.

Principles of French Law

Second Edition

John Bell, Sophie Boyron, and Simon Whittaker

Description

Principles of French Law offers a comprehensive introduction to French law and the French legal system in terms which a common lawyer can understand. The authors give an explanation of the institutions, rules and techniques that characterize the major branches of French law. The chapters provide the reader with a clear sense of the questions that French lawyers see as important and how they would answer them.

In the ten years since the publication of the first edition, French law has changed in significant ways. European Union law and the European Convention on Human Rights have had a significant impact, especially on procedural law and family law. There has been a new Commercial Code, major legislation on divorce, succession and criminal law, as well as significant developments in the Constitution. In addition, there have been considerable developments in the case-law and a much discussed proposal for reform of major areas of the law of obligations.

The chapters present not only the rules of law, but, where appropriate, the principles and values underlying the system. Considerable use is made of juristic literature and of examples from French case law.

The book is designed for students studying French law at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, and as preliminary reading for students about to study in France. It will also serve as an initial point of reference for scholars embarking on a study of French law.

Principles of French Law

Second Edition

John Bell, Sophie Boyron, and Simon Whittaker

Introduction: The Spirit of French Law, John Bell and Simon Whittaker
Part I: The System
1: Sources of Law, John Bell and Sophie Boyron
2: Court Institutions, John Bell
3: People Administering Justice, Sophie Boyron
Part II: The Law
4: Legal Procedure, John Bell and Simon Whittaker
5: Constitutional Law, Sophie Boyron
6: Administrative Law, John Bell
7: Criminal Law, John Bell
8: Family Law, Helen Stalford
9: The Law of Property, Andrew Bell, John Bell, and Sophie Boyron
10: The Law of Obligations, Simon Whittaker
11: Commercial Law, Andrew Bell
12: Employment Law, Mark Freedland
Part III: Studying French Law
13: Bibliographical Guide and Legal Methods, Sophie Boyron
Appendix: Bibliographical Sources and Legal Methods

Principles of French Law

Second Edition

John Bell, Sophie Boyron, and Simon Whittaker

Author Information

John Bell, Professor of Law, University of Cambridge, Sophie Boyron, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Birmingham, and Simon Whittaker, Professor of European Comparative Law, University of Oxford

Contributors:

John Bell, University of Cambridge
Sophie Boyron, University of Birmingham
Simon Whittaker, University of Oxford
Mark Freedland, University of Oxford
Helen Stalford, Liverpool University
Andrew Bell, University of Manchester