Law of FranceModule 5
Private law: persons, contract, breach, tort, property, family, succession, civil procedure and dispute resolution
The Civil Code of 1804 is organised around **persons**, **property** and the **ways of acquiring property** (succession, gifts, obligations). It has been amended many times, and the largest recent reform was the **law of obligations** of **2016**, which rewrote the law of contract and general rules on obligations and partly codified case law. The method of French private law is to start from general principles stated in the Code (the **binding force of contracts**, the duty to repair harm caused by **fault**, the absolute character of **ownership**) and to give them flesh through case law and academic commentary. This module goes through the Code in that order, ending with the way a civil case is conducted and the growing role of mediation and arbitration.
This course explains the law of France, not US law. Rules that look the same elsewhere may be different.
Module 1 of this course is free, and this is not it. Unlock the whole course below, or go back to the course page.
Two Ways In
Introductory PriceFrench Law: buy it on its own, or get it with the Courses & AI Lab Pass
Unlock all of French Law on its own with a one-time purchase, or get it as part of a Courses & AI Lab Pass, which also covers every course and the other paid tools. A member never needs to buy it separately.
This is an early, introductory price for a brand-new product — it’s expected to rise as we add more content. Buy now and it’s yours at today’s rate, forever.
No account needed: you pay, and we email you a one-click sign-in.
Courses & AI Lab Pass is $29.99 a month or $249 a year, and covers every course and most tools, this one included. Create a free account to subscribe.
Look first, then buy. Free previews on every product page. Secure payment by Stripe. Pay once, keep it forever. Details
See what is included in the Courses & AI Lab Pass →General education on French law, using invented people and businesses. It states constitutional provisions, codes and landmark decisions in simplified form, and it is not legal advice. The law changes and every case turns on its facts. Consult a lawyer qualified in France for any real matter.
Teaching? Share this with your class
Free to use in class. The free parts open for everyone, no account needed.