The Reform of the French Law of Obligations: Les Jeux Sont Faits

12 Pages Posted: 1 Oct 2016 Last revised: 3 Oct 2016

See all articles by Jan M. Smits

Jan M. Smits

Maastricht University Faculty of Law

Caroline Calomme

Maastricht European Private Law Institute (M-EPLI)

Date Written: October 1, 2016

Abstract

1 October 2016 was a historic date for French law. For the first time since the introduction of the French Civil Code in 1804, a fundamental reform of the codified law of obligations took place. This contribution discusses both the motives for and the contents of this reform. Particular attention is paid to the abolition of causa, the introduction of a rule on changed circumstances, the broadening of the scope of unfair contracts terms and the restraining of the action for specific performance. It is concluded that the reform does not achieve the aims that the French government has with it.

Keywords: Law of obligations, Contract law, French law, Codification, Causa

Suggested Citation

Smits, Jan M. and Calomme, Caroline, The Reform of the French Law of Obligations: Les Jeux Sont Faits (October 1, 2016). Maastricht European Private Law Institute Working Paper 2016-05, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2845796 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2845796

Jan M. Smits (Contact Author)

Maastricht University Faculty of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 616
Maastricht, NL-6200 MD
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://www.jansmits.eu

Caroline Calomme

Maastricht European Private Law Institute (M-EPLI) ( email )

P.O. Box 616
Maastricht, NL-6200 MD
Netherlands

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