French Legal Terms U-Z
U
Union européenne — European Union. The supranational organization of 27 European Member States to which France has transferred certain sovereign competences under Title XV of the Constitution. EU law, including treaties, regulations, and directives, has primacy over French domestic law.
Usufruit — Usufruct. A real right granting a person (usufruitier) the right to use and enjoy property owned by another (nu-propriétaire), governed by Articles 578-624 of the Civil Code. The usufructuary may collect rents or fruits but must preserve the substance of the property. Usufruct commonly arises in inheritance and matrimonial property arrangements.
Utilisation abusive — Abusive use. Refers to the exercise of a right in an excessive or unreasonable manner that causes harm to others. In procedural law, utilisation abusive of court proceedings may give rise to damages for abusive litigation. In property law, it overlaps with the doctrine of abus de droit (abuse of rights).
V
Vente — Sale. A contract by which one party (vendeur) transfers ownership of property to another (acheteur) in exchange for a price, governed by Articles 1582-1701 of the Civil Code. The sale is perfected by agreement on the thing and the price, even before delivery or payment.
Vérification d’écriture — Handwriting verification. A procedural mechanism under Articles 285-291 of the Code of Civil Procedure used to determine the authenticity of a disputed private writing. The court may compare the disputed document with authentic specimens and, if necessary, order expert handwriting analysis.
Vice caché — Hidden defect. A latent defect in goods sold that renders them unfit for their intended purpose or substantially diminishes their value, governed by Articles 1641-1649 of the Civil Code. The seller warrants against hidden defects; the buyer may request rescission of the sale or a price reduction.
Vice du consentement — Defect of consent. A ground for nullity of a contract when a party’s consent was vitiated by error (erreur), fraud (dol), or duress (violence), under Articles 1130-1144 of the Civil Code. Consent must be free and informed; a defect renders the contract voidable.
Violation de domicile — Violation of domicile. A criminal offense under Article 226-4 of the Penal Code consisting of entering or remaining in another person’s home against their will. It protects the inviolability of the domicile and may be committed by private individuals or, in certain circumstances, by public authorities acting without legal authorization.
Voie d’exécution — Enforcement procedure. The legal means by which a judgment creditor compels performance of a court decision against a debtor who fails to comply voluntarily. Enforcement methods include seizure of assets (saisie-exécution), eviction, and astreinte (periodic penalty payment for non-compliance).
Voie de recours — Remedy or means of appeal. The procedural avenues available to challenge a court decision. Ordinary remedies include appel (appeal on fact and law) and opposition (rehearing of default judgments); extraordinary remedies include pourvoi en cassation (appeal on law only) and tierce opposition (third-party challenge).
Vol — Theft. The dishonest appropriation of another person’s property, a criminal offense under Articles 311-1 to 311-16 of the Penal Code. Theft is a délit punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine, with aggravated penalties for violence, gang involvement, or use of a weapon.