History & Modern Evolution of Transnational Commercial Law

Document-Id: 601100, Please cite as: "https://www.trans-lex.org/601100"

Title

French Code Civil 1804

Table of Contents

Code Civil Livre Troisième: Des différentes manières dont on acquiert la propriété Titre 03 - Des Contrats ou des Obligations conventionnelles en géneral Chapitre II. - Des dispositions essentielles pour la validité des conventions Section I. - Du consentement Article 1109:Article 1110:Chapitre III. - De l'effet des obligations Section I. - Dispositions générales Article 1134:Section IV. - Des dommages et intérêts résultant de l'inexécution de l'obligation Article 1147:Article 1148:Article 1149:Article 1150:Article 1151:Article 1152:Article 1153:Article 1153-1:Article 1154:Article 1155:Section V - De l'interprétation des conventions Article 1156:Article 1157:Article 1162:Chapitre IV. - Des diverses espèces d‘obligation Section VI: Des obligations avec clauses pénales Article 1231:Chapitre V. - De l‘extinction des obligations Section IV.- De la compensation Article 1289:Chapitre VI. - De la preuve des obligations et de celle du paiement Section V. - Du serment Paragraphe 2 - Du serment déféré d'office Article 1367:Article 1368:Article 1369:Titre 04 Des engagements qui se forment sans convention Chapitre I Des quasi-contrats Article 1376 Titre 06 - De la vente Chapitre 3. - Des choses qui peuvent être vendues Article 1599:Chapitre 8. - Du transport des créances et autres droits incorporels Article 1689:Article 1690:Article 1691:Article 1692:Article 1693:Article 1694:Article 1695:Article 1696:Article 1697:Article 1698:Article 1699:Article 1700:Article 1701:Civil Code BOOK III: OF THE VARIOUS WAYS HOW OWNERSHIP IS ACQUIRED Title 03 - OF CONTRACTS AND OF CONVENTIONAL OBLIGATIONS IN GENERAL Chapter II. - Of the Essential Requisites for the Validity of Agreements Section I. - Of Consent Article 1109:Article 1110:Chapter III. - Of the Effect of Obligations Section I. - Of the Effect of Obligations Article 1134:Section IV. - Of Damages Resulting from the Non-Performance of Obligations Article 1147:Article 1148:Article 1149:Article 1150:Article 1151:Article 1152:Article 1153:Article 1153-1:Article 1154:Article 1155:Section V. - Of the Interpretation of Agreements Article 1156:Article 1157:Article 1162:Chapter IV. - Of the Various Kinds of Obligations Section VI.: - Of Joint and Several Obligations Article 1231:Chapter V. - Of the Extinguishment of Obligations Section IV. - Of Set-Off Article 1289:Chapter VI. - Of the Proof of Obligations and of Payment Section V - Of Oaths Paragraph 2 - Of Oaths Tendered by a Judge of his Own Motion Article 1367:Article 1368:Article 1369:Title 04 Of Undertakings Formed without an Agreement Chapter I Of Quasi-Contracts Article 1376 Title 06 - Of Sales Chapter 3. - Of Things Which May be Sold Article 1599:Chapter 8. - Of Assignment of Claims and Other Incorporeal Rights Article 1689:Article 1690:Article 1691:Article 1692:Article 1693:Article 1694:Article 1695:Article 1696:Article 1697:Article 1698:Article 1699:Article 1700:Article 1701:

Content

Code Civil

Livre Troisième: Des différentes manières dont on acquiert la propriété

Titre 03 - Des Contrats ou des Obligations conventionnelles en géneral

Chapitre II. - Des dispositions essentielles pour la validité des conventions

Section I. - Du consentement

Article 1109:

Il n'y a point de consentement valable, si le consentement n'a été donné que par erreur, ou s'il a été extorqué par violence ou surpris par dol. Translation

Article 1110:

L'erreur n'est une cause de nullité de la convention que lorsque'elle tombe sur la substance même de la chose qui en est l'objet. Translation

Elle n'est point une cause de nullité, lorsqu'elle ne tombe que sur la personne avec laquelle on a intention de contracter, à moins que la considération de cette personne ne soit la cause principale de la convention. Translation

Chapitre III. - De l'effet des obligations

Section I. - Dispositions générales

Article 1134:

Les conventions légalement formées tiennent lieu de loi à ceux qui les ont faites. Elles ne peuvent être révoquées que de leur consentement mutuel, ou pour les causes que la loi autorise. Elles doivent être exécutées de bonne foi. Translation

Section IV. - Des dommages et intérêts résultant de l'inexécution de l'obligation

Section V - De l'interprétation des conventions

Article 1156:

On doit dans les conventions rechercher quelle a été la commune intention des parties contractantes, plutôt que de s'arrêter au sens littéral des termes. Translation

Article 1157:

Lorsqu'une clause est susceptible de deux sens, on doit plutôt l'entendre dans celui avec lequel elle peut avoir quelque effet que dans le sens avec lequel elle n'en pourrait produire aucun. Translation

Article 1162:

Dans le doute, la convention s'interprète contre celui qui a stipulé et en faveur de celui qui a contracté l'obligation. Translation

Chapitre IV. - Des diverses espèces d‘obligation

Section VI: Des obligations avec clauses pénales

Article 1231:

Lorsque l'engagement a été exécuté en partie, la peine convenue, même d'office, peut être diminuée par le juge à proportion de l'intérêt que l'exécution partielle a procuré au créancier, sans préjudice de l'application de l'article 1152. Toute stipulation contraire sera réputée non écrite. Translation

Chapitre V. - De l‘extinction des obligations

Section IV.- De la compensation

Article 1289:

Lorsque deux personnes se trouvent débitrices l'une envers l'autre, il s'opère entre elles une compensation qui éteint les deux dettes, de la manière et dans les cas ci-après exprimés. Translation

Chapitre VI. - De la preuve des obligations et de celle du paiement

Section V. - Du serment

Paragraphe 2 - Du serment déféré d'office

Article 1367:

Le juge ne peut déférer d'office le serment, soit sur la demande, soit sur l'exception qui y est opposée, que sous les deux conditions suivantes; il faut: Translation

Que la demande ou l'exception ne soit pas pleinement justifiée; Translation

Qu'elle ne soit pas totalement dénuée de preuves. Translation

Hors ces deux cas, le juge doit ou adjuger ou rejeter purement et simplement la demande. Translation

Article 1368:

Le serment déféré d'office par le juge à l'une des parties ne peut être par elle référé à l'autre. Translation

Article 1369:

Le serment sur la valeur de la chose demandée ne peut être déféré par le juge au demandeur que lorsqu'il est d'ailleurs impossible de constater autrement cette valeur. Translation

Le juge doit même, en ce cas, déterminer la somme jusqu'à concurrence de laquelle le demandeur en sera cru sur son serment. Translation

Titre 04 Des engagements qui se forment sans convention

Chapitre I Des quasi-contrats

Article 1376

Celui qui reçoit par erreur ou csiemment ce qui ne lui est pas dû s‘oblige à le restituer à celui de qui il l‘a indûment reçu. Translation

Titre 06 - De la vente

Chapitre 3. - Des choses qui peuvent être vendues

Article 1599:

La vente de la chose d'autrui est nulle: elle peut donner lieu à des dommages-intérêts lorsque l'acheteur a ignoré que la chose fût à autrui. Translation

Chapitre 8. - Du transport des créances et autres droits incorporels

Article 1689:

Dans le transport d'une créance, d'un droit ou d'une action sur un tiers, la délivrance s'opère entre le cédant et le cessionnaire par la remise du titre. Translation

Article 1690:

Le cessionnaire n'est saisi à l'égard des tiers que par la signification du transport faite au débiteur. Néanmoins le cessionnaire peut être également saisi par l'acceptation du transport faite par le débiteur dans un acte authentique. Translation

Article 1691:

Si, avant que le cédant ou le cessionnaire eût signifié le transport au débiteur, celui-ci avait payé le cédant, il sera valablement libéré. Translation

Article 1692:

La vente ou cession d'une créance comprend les accessoires de la créance, tels que caution, privilège et hypothèque. Translation

Article 1693:

Celui qui vend une créance ou autre droit incorporel doit en garantir l'existence au temps du transport, quoiqu'il soit fait sans garantie. Translation

Article 1694:

Il ne répond de la solvabilité du débiteur que lorsqu'il s'y est engagé, et jusqu'à concurrence seulement du prix qu'il a retiré de la créance. Translation

Article 1695:

Lorsqu'il a promis la garantie de la solvabilité du débiteur, cette promesse ne s'entend que de la solvabilité actuelle, et ne s'étend pas au temps à venir, si le cédant ne l'a expressément stipulé. Translation

Article 1696:

Celui qui vend une hérédité sans en spécifier en détail les objets n'est tenu de garantir que sa qualité d'héritier. Translation

Article 1697:

S'il avait déjà profité des fruits de quelque fonds, ou reçu le montant de quelque créance appartenant à cette hérédité, ou vendu quelques effets de la succession, il est tenu de les rembourser à l'acquéreur, s'il ne les a expressément réservés lors de la vente. Translation

Article 1698:

L'acquéreur doit de son côté rembourser au vendeur ce que celui-ci a payé pour les dettes et charges de la succession, et lui faire raison de tout ce dont il était créancier, s'il n'y a stipulation contraire. Translation

Article 1699:

Celui contre lequel on a cédé un droit litigieux peut s'en faire tenir quitte par le cessionnaire en lui remboursant le prix réel de la cession avec les frais et loyaux coûts, et avec les intérêts à compter du jour où le cessionnaire a payé le prix de la cession à lui faite. Translation

Article 1700:

La chose est censée litigieuse dès qu'il y a procès et contestation sur le fond du droit. Translation

Article 1701:

La disposition portée en l'article 1699 cesse: Translation

Dans le cas où la cession a été faite à un cohéritier ou copropriétaire du droit cédé; Translation

Lorsqu'elle a été faite à un créancier en paiement de ce qui lui est dû; Translation

Lorsqu'elle a été faite au possesseur de l'héritage sujet au droit litigieux. Translation

Civil Code

BOOK III: OF THE VARIOUS WAYS HOW OWNERSHIP IS ACQUIRED

Title 03 - OF CONTRACTS AND OF CONVENTIONAL OBLIGATIONS IN GENERAL

Chapter II. - Of the Essential Requisites for the Validity of Agreements

Section I. - Of Consent

Article 1109:

There is no valid consent, where the consent was given only by error, or where it was extorted by duress or abused by deception. Original

Article 1110:

Error is a ground for annulment of an agreement only where it rests on the very substance of the thing which is the object thereof. Original

It is not a ground for annulment where it only rests on the person with whom one has the intention of contracting, unless regard to/for that person was the main cause of the agreement. Original

Chapter III. - Of the Effect of Obligations

Section I. - Of the Effect of Obligations

Article 1134:

Agreements lawfully entered into take the place of the law for those who have made them. They may be revoked only by mutual consent, or for causes authorized by law. They must be performed in good faith. Original

Section IV. - Of Damages Resulting from the Non-Performance of Obligations

Article 1147:

A debtor shall be ordered to pay damages, if there is occasion, either by reason of the non-performance of the obligation, or by reason of delay in performing, whenever he does not prove that the non-performance comes from an external cause which may not be ascribed to him, although there is no bad faith on his part. Original

Article 1148:

There is no occasion for any damages where a debtor was prevented from transferring or from doing that to which he was bound, or did what was forbidden to him, by reason of force majeure or of a fortuitous event. Original

Article 1149:

Damages due to a creditor are, as a rule, for the loss which he has suffered and the profit which he has been deprived of, subject to the exceptions and modifications below. Original

Article 1150:

A debtor is liable only for damages which were foreseen or which could have been foreseen at the time of the contract, where it is not through his own intentional breach that the obligation is not fulfilled. Original

Article 1151:

Even in the case where the non-performance of the agreement is due to the debtor's intentional breach, damages may include, with respect to the loss suffered by the creditor and the profit which he has been deprived of, only what is an immediate and direct consequence of the non-performance of the agreement. Original

Article 1152:

Where an agreement provides that he who fails to perform it will pay a certain sum as damages, the other party may not be awarded a greater or lesser sum. Original

Nevertheless, the judge may "even of his own motion" moderate or increase the agreed penalty, where it is obviously excessive or ridiculously low. Any stipulation to the contrary shall be deemed unwritten. Original

Article 1153:

In obligations which are restricted to the payment of a certain sum, the damages resulting from delay in performance shall consist only in awarding interests at the statutory rate, except for special rules for commerce and suretyship. Original

Those damages are due without the creditor having to prove any loss. They are due only from the day of a demand for payment "or of another equivalent act such as a letter missive where a sufficient requisition results from it"except in the case where the law makes them run as a matter of right. Original

A creditor to whom his debtor in delay has caused, by his bad faith, a loss independent of that delay may obtain damages distinct from the interest on arrears of the debt. Original

Article 1153-1:

In all matters, the award of a compensation involves interest at the statutory rate even failing a claim or a specific provision in the judgment. Save as otherwise provided by legislation, that interest runs from the handing down of the judgment unless the judge otherwise rules. Original

In case a judgment allowing an indemnity for compensation of a loss is unreservedly affirmed by an appellate judge, the determination as a matter of law produces interest as from the judgment of first instance. In the other cases, an indemnity allowed on appeal produces interest from the judgment given in appeal. The appellate judge may always derogate from the provisions of this paragraph. Original

Article 1154:

Interests due on capital may produce interest, either by a judicial claim, or by a special agreement, provided that, either in the claim, or in the agreement, the interest concerned be owed at least for one whole year. Original

Article 1155:

Nevertheless, the revenue owed, such as farm rents, rents, arrearages of perpetual or life annuities, produce interest from the day of the claim or of the agreement. Original

The same rule shall apply to the restitution of fruits and to interest paid by a third party to a creditor on behalf of the debtor. Original

Section V. - Of the Interpretation of Agreements

Article 1156:

One must in agreements seek what the common intention of the contracting parties was, rather than pay attention to the literal meaning of the terms. Original

Article 1157:

Where a clause admits of two meanings, one shall rather understand it in the one with which it may have some effect, than in the meaning with which it could not produce any. Original

Article 1162:

In case of doubt, an agreement shall be interpreted against the one who has stipulated, and in favour of the one who has contracted the obligation. Original

Chapter IV. - Of the Various Kinds of Obligations

Section VI.: - Of Joint and Several Obligations

Article 1231:

Where an undertaking has been performed in part, the agreed penalty may be lessened by the judge in proportion to the interest which the part performance has procured for the creditor, without prejudice to the application of Article 1152. Any stipulation to the contrary shall be deemed not written. Original

Chapter V. - Of the Extinguishment of Obligations

Section IV. - Of Set-Off

Article 1289:

Where two persons are debtors towards each other, set-off is brought about which extinguishes both debts, in the manner and in the cases hereafter laid down. Original

Chapter VI. - Of the Proof of Obligations and of Payment

Section V - Of Oaths

Paragraph 2 - Of Oaths Tendered by a Judge of his Own Motion

Article 1367:

A judge may tender an oath of his own motion, with reference either to a claim or to a defence set up against it, only subject to the following two conditions; it is necessary: Original

That the claim or the defence be not fully substantiated; Original

That it be not wholly deprived of proof. Original

Outside those two cases, the judge must either admit or dismiss the claim outright. Original

Article 1368:

An oath tendered by the judge of his own motion to one of the parties may not be tendered back by that party to the other. Original

Article 1369:

An oath as to the value of a thing claimed may be tendered by the judge to the plaintiff only where it is otherwise impossible to establish that value. Original

Even in that case, the judge must determine the sum up to the amount of which the plaintiff shall be believed on his oath. Original

Title 04 Of Undertakings Formed without an Agreement

Chapter I Of Quasi-Contracts

Article 1376

He who receives by error or knowingly what is not owed to him is bound to make restitution to the person from whom he has unduly received it. Original

Title 06 - Of Sales

Chapter 3. - Of Things Which May be Sold

Article 1599:

The sale of a thing belonging to another is void: it may give rise to damages where the buyer did not know that the thing belonged to another. Original

Chapter 8. - Of Assignment of Claims and Other Incorporeal Rights

Article 1689:

In case of assignment of a claim, or of a right or of an action against a third party, delivery takes place between the assignor and the assignee by handing over the instrument of title. Original

Article 1690:

An assignee is vested with regard to third parties only by notice of the assignment served upon the debtor. Nevertheless, the assignee may likewise be vested by acceptance of the assignment given by the debtor in an authentic act. Original

Article 1691:

Where, before the debtor has been given notice by the assignor or the assignee, the debtor has paid the assignor, he is lawfully discharged. Original

Article 1692:

The sale or assignment of a claim includes the accessories of the claim, such as security, prior charges and mortgages. Original

Article 1693:

A person who sells a claim or any other incorporeal right must warrant its existence at the time of the assignment, even though it is made without warranty. Original

Article 1694:

He is responsible for the solvency of the debtor only where he has bound himself thereto, and only up to the amount of the price which he has received for the claim. Original

Article 1695:

Where he has promised the solvency of the debtor, that promise only relates to the present solvency, and does not extend to the future, unless the assignor has expressly so stipulated. Original

Article 1696:

A person who sells an inheritance without specifying its contents in detail, is bound to warrant only his capacity as heir. Original

Article 1697:

If he had already benefited by fruits of some tenement or received the amount of some claim belonging to that inheritance, or sold some effects of the succession, he is bound to reimburse the purchaser therefore, unless he has expressly reserved them at the time of the sale. Original

Article 1698:

The purchaser must on his part reimburse the seller for what the latter has paid for the debts and charges of the succession, and recompense him for everything for which he was creditor, unless otherwise stipulated. Original

Article 1699:

A person against whom a litigious right has been assigned may have himself released by the assignee by reimbursing him for the actual price of the assignment with the expenses and fair costs, and with interest from the day when the assignee has paid the price of the assignment made to him. Original

Article 1700:

A matter is deemed litigious as soon as there is a case and controversy as to the merits of the right Original .

Article 1701:

The provision laid down in Article 1699 shall not apply: Original

In the case where the assignment has been made to a co-heir or co-owner of the right assigned; Original

Where it has been made to a creditor in payment of what is due to him; Original

Where it has been made to the possessor of the property to which the litigious right relates. Original

The translations are an extract which is adapted from http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/

Referring Principles

Trans-Lex Principle: I.1.1 - Good faith and fair dealing in international trade

Trans-Lex Principle: I.3.1 - Limitation of transfer of rights

Trans-Lex Principle: III.1 - Set-off

Trans-Lex Principle: III.2 - Assignment of claim

Trans-Lex Principle: IV.5.1 - Intentions of the parties

Trans-Lex Principle: IV.5.3 - Interpretation in favor of effectiveness of contract

Trans-Lex Principle: IV.5.4 - Interpretation against the party that supplied the term

Trans-Lex Principle: IV.7.3 - Right to avoid the contract for mistake in fact or law

Trans-Lex Principle: VI.3 - Force majeure

Trans-Lex Principle: VI.4 - Promise to pay in case of non-performance

Trans-Lex Principle: VII.2 - Principle of foreseeability of loss

Trans-Lex Principle: VII.7 - Right to charge compound interest

Trans-Lex Principle: IX.1 - Basic rule

How to search - Contact - Team - Trustees - Disclaimer / Legal information / Privacy - Twitter - Facebook

A project of CENTRAL, University of Cologne.