French Legislation In English

Search, Read and Apply French Law. In English.

20+ full codes, 2,400+ articles translated and updated. Case law linked to every article. Read the actual text before you ask a lawyer about it — free, no login required.

Try: L.227-1 SAS governance, L.145-9 bail commercial renewal, L.223-18 gérant removal SARL

20+

french codes

Fully translated

2,400+

articles in English

Updated regularly

480+

court rulings linked

Per article

Free

full access

No login required

Showing 201210 of 30699 articles for Art. 11 mai 1995

French Civil CodeIn force
Chapter III: Interpretation of the contract

Article 1188

The contract is interpreted according to the common intention of the parties rather than by stopping at the literal meaning of its terms. Where this intention cannot be detected, the contract is inter…

AI translation · Updated 7 Nov 2023Open Article
French Civil CodeIn force
Subsection 2: Translative effect

Article 1197

The obligation to deliver the thing entails an obligation to preserve it until delivery, taking all the care of a reasonable person.

AI translation · Updated 7 Nov 2023Open Article
French Civil CodeIn force
Subsection 1: Invalidity

Article 1184

…nstituted a determining element of the commitment of the parties or of one of them. The contract is maintained when the law repudiates the unwritten clause, or when the purposes of the disregarded rul…

AI translation · Updated 7 Nov 2023Open Article
French Civil CodeIn force
Subsection 3: Content of the contract

Article 1170

Any clause that deprives the debtor's essential obligation of its substance is deemed unwritten.

AI translation · Updated 7 Nov 2023Open Article
French Civil CodeIn force
Subsection 2: Provisions specific to contracts concluded by electronic means

Article 1177

The requirement to send several copies is deemed to have been met by electronic means if the written document can be printed by the recipient.

AI translation · Updated 7 Nov 2023Open Article
French Civil CodeIn force
Subsection 1: Invalidity

Article 1185

A plea of nullity is not time-barred if it relates to a contract that has not been performed.

AI translation · Updated 7 Nov 2023Open Article
French Civil CodeIn force
Subsection 1: Binding force

Article 1194

Contracts are binding not only on what is expressed in them, but also on all the consequences that equity, usage or the law give them.

AI translation · Updated 7 Nov 2023Open Article
French Civil CodeIn force
Subsection 1: General provisions

Article 1172

Contracts are in principle consensual. By way of exception, the validity of solemn contracts is subject to the observance of forms determined by law, failing which the contract is void, unless it can…

AI translation · Updated 7 Nov 2023Open Article
French Civil CodeIn force
Subsection 2: Lapse

Article 1186

A contract validly formed lapses if one of its essential elements disappears. Where the performance of several contracts is necessary for the performance of the same transaction and one of them disapp…

AI translation · Updated 7 Nov 2023Open Article
French Civil CodeIn force
Subsection 3: Content of the contract

Article 1169

A contract for valuable consideration is void where, at the time of its formation, the consideration agreed for the benefit of the person making the commitment is illusory or derisory.

AI translation · Updated 7 Nov 2023Open Article
Common Questions

French legislation in English — Q&A

Our translations are produced and reviewed for accuracy, but the only legally binding version of French law is the French original. For court, registry or contractual use we offer lawyer-reviewed or sworn certified translations on request.

Articles are synced with Légifrance and updated as soon as a reform is published in the Journal Officiel, so you always read the version in force — and can see when each article was last amended.

Each article is linked to the key court decisions (Cour de cassation, Conseil d'État, courts of appeal) that interpret it, so you can read the text and its case-law application side by side.

Yes — every article has an AI plain-English summary, and you can order a lawyer-reviewed explanation of how it applies to your specific situation, with next steps.

No. Reading and searching the codes is free with no login. Paid services — certified translation and the legal application report — are entirely optional.

Mariela Petrova

Mariela Petrova

Avocate au Barreau de Paris

Toque #C2396

15+ Years In French Corporate Practice

English · French · Russian

Ready When You Are

Talk To A Lawyer
In France.

A 20–30 minute call, in English, to scope the engagement. No obligation, no preliminary fee. You will leave the call with a clear view of what the work will cover and what it will cost.

First EngagementFixed Fee

Talk to a French lawyer.

Reply within 24 hours.

Communications protected by professional secrecy — secret professionnel de l'avocat, Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971.

Continue

Related legal services

01 / Read

Browse the French codes

20+ full codes and 2,400+ articles in English, with the key court rulings linked to every article — free to read.

Read More
02 / Apply

Legal application report

A lawyer-reviewed report explaining how the relevant articles apply to your situation, with case-law analysis and next steps.

Read More
03 / Act

Talk to a French lawyer

Scope your matter with a Paris-Bar avocate — incorporation, contracts, disputes — handled bilingually, end to end.

Read More