Glossary on ExcellentWiki - Legal Encyclopedia

French Legal Terms A-F

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This glossary defines essential French legal terms from A through F, providing English translations and contextual explanations for their use in the French legal system. Each entry includes a definition, legal context, and references to related concepts.

A

Acte de gouvernement — Governmental act not subject to judicial review by administrative courts. Includes acts concerning foreign relations, relations between the executive and Parliament, and actions under emergency constitutional powers. The doctrine has been progressively narrowed since the Arrighi decision (1936), with courts now reviewing most executive actions for compliance with fundamental rights and EU law.

French Legal Terms G-Z

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This glossary defines essential French legal terms from G through Z, providing English translations and contextual explanations for their use in the French legal system.

H

Hiérarchie des normes — Hierarchy of norms. The Kelsenian pyramid structuring the French legal order, with the Constitution at the apex, followed by treaties, statutes, and regulations. The Constitutional Council ensures respect for this hierarchy.

Huissier de justice — Bailiff. A ministerial officer responsible for service of process and enforcement of judgments. Huissiers are private professionals holding a state monopoly on certain procedural functions.

French Legal Terms H-L

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

H

Habile à agir — Having legal capacity to bring or defend proceedings in court. A person must have the legal capacity (capacité) to exercise procedural rights; minors and protected adults act through their legal representatives. The concept also encompasses standing requirements in administrative litigation.

Héritier réservataire — Forced heir entitled to a reserved share (réserve héréditaire) of the deceased’s estate under Articles 912-930 of the Civil Code. Descendants are reserved heirs; ascendants have limited reservation rights. The deceased may dispose freely only of the disposable portion (quotité disponible).

French Legal Terms M-P

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

M

Mandat d’arrêt — Arrest warrant issued by a juge d’instruction or criminal court ordering law enforcement to apprehend a person and bring them before the issuing authority. French law distinguishes the mandat d’arrêt from the mandat d’amener (bring to appear) and mandat de dépôt (commit to prison).

Mandat de protection future — Future protection mandate created by the 2007 reform, codified in Articles 477-494 of the Civil Code. A person may appoint one or more agents to manage their affairs in anticipation of future incapacity. It provides an alternative to judicial guardianship, activated upon medical certification of incapacity.

French Legal Terms Q-T

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Q

Quasi-contrat — Quasi-contract. A lawful act creating obligations without an actual agreement, governed by Articles 1300-1303 of the Civil Code. The principal quasi-contracts are gestion d’affaires (management of another’s affairs without mandate), paiement de l’indu (undue payment), and enrichissement injustifié (unjust enrichment).

Question prioritaire de constitutionnalité (QPC) — A procedure introduced by the 2008 constitutional reform, effective 2010, allowing litigants to challenge the constitutionality of enacted statutes during ongoing proceedings before any court. The Constitutional Council decides the constitutional question; if upheld, the statute is repealed.

French Legal Terms U-Z

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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.