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 14711480 of 62763 articles for Art. Arrêté DEVL1507007A of 23-3-2015

French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 1: General provisions

Article 385

The criminal court has the power to declare the nullity of proceedings brought before it except where it is seised by a referral ordered by the examining magistrate or the investigating chamber. Howev…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 2: Voluntary appearance and summons

Article 391

Any person who has lodged a complaint is notified by the public prosecutor of the date of the hearing.When the victim does not understand the French language, he or she is entitled, at his or her requ…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 1: General provisions

Article 381

The correctional court hears misdemeanours.Misdemeanours are offences punishable by law by imprisonment or a fine of at least €3,750..

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 1: General provisions

Article 383

Jurisdiction over an accused extends to all co-perpetrators and accomplices.

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 1: General provisions

Article 382

The criminal court of the place where the offence was committed, the place where the accused resides or the place where the accused was arrested or detained, even when this arrest or detention was car…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Summons to appear, immediate appearance and deferred appearance

Article 393

…ecutor shall order that the person be brought before him. After informing the person, if necessary, of their right to be assisted by an interpreter, establishing their identity and informing them of t…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 1: General provisions

Article 386

…preliminary objection is presented before any defence on the merits.It is admissible only if it is of such a nature as to remove the character of an offence from the fact that serves as a basis for t…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Summons to appear, immediate appearance and deferred appearance

Article 395

If the maximum term of imprisonment provided for by law is at least equal to two years, the public prosecutor, where it appears to him that the charges brought are sufficient and the case is ready for…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 1: General provisions

Article 388

The criminal court is seised of offences within its jurisdiction either by the voluntary appearance of the parties, or by summons, or by summons by procès-verbal, or by immediate appearance, or finall…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 2: Voluntary appearance and summons

Article 390

…id down by articles 550 et seq. The summons informs the accused that he may be assisted by a lawyer of his choice or, if he so requests, by a court-appointed lawyer, whose costs will be borne by him u…

AI translation · Updated 8 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