French Law
CONTENTS
French Law Zone
The French legal system is very different from that in the UK, especially when it comes to buying a house. The aim of this law zone is to explain how French law works, including buying property in France, the work of the French legal officials the notaires, divorce and property, and inheritance law. For information about the French tax system please visit our tax zone. The FrenchEntrée team
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Key French legal vocabulary
An avocat combines some of the functions of both a barrister and a solicitor and is best translated as lawyer. The French word for a court of law is un tribunal. Un testament is a will. The deed of sale in a property transaction is the acte de vente. A speeding ticket is une contravention pour excès de vitesse while une amende is a fine. View legal glossary...
Editor's pick
What is, by law, included in the sale of a property and what condition should a purchaser expect to find it in at completion? more...
Legal advice for French property purchase
Five cautionary tales
Legal experts from Heslop & Platt reveal five cautionary tales to warn French property buyers of some of the problems which can be encountered, and how they can be avoided, when purchasing French property.
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Home inspection reports and the law
When selling (or letting) properties there are a number of reports that must be available to a prospective purchaser (or tenant) before they enter into a binding commitment. Edward Coxall provides a summary of some recent changes in property law including home inspection reports.
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Property purchase: boundaries and easements
When purchasing property in France, the transfer deed prepared by the notaire will often specify that in the event of any error in the description of any easements affecting the property, the purchaser has no right of recourse against the vendor.
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So you can't pay your French mortgage
There is an underlying expectation in the UK that banks should show consideration for borrowers who find themselves in difficulty and should treat them gently. However, that’s not how it is seen in France. The mortgage deed entitles the bank to repossess if the loan is not repaid.
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Procedures on repossession
It will not be something that buyers will wish to contemplate when they are taking out a mortgage for their purchase, but it is important to understand just what may happen if the lender has to repossess a person’s property in France.
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New rules on septic tanks
Report now compulsory on the sale of any residential property
Since 1 January 2011 new rules apply to the sale of all properties which are not connected to mains drainage. Sally Dilks, French Law Solicitor with Heslop Platt, looks at what this means for residential property sellers
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Why use a UK solicitor & a French notaire?
Solicitor Annie Digby explains why the use of the Notaire is no substitute for your own independent legal advice on international aspects when buying a property in France...
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Public law: town and land planning
Town planning law can be of particular interest to a buyer of a property (land or house) or an owner wishing to collect all necessary information a property.
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Boundary disputes between neighbours
Why should it be so complicated to live peacefully with neighbours? Territorial instinct may play a part, but some people are more sensitive than others to any annexation of their territory.
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Consumer protection in France
French legislation has been recently modified (1 July 2010 Act) in order to provide the consumer with a more secure position, notably when a loan is offered or when insolvency is close.
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France's environment round table
France's efforts to be more environmentally-friendly were reinforced by the launch of an environment round table, The Grenelle Forum. The Grenelle: Act 2 is currently under discussion by the National Assembly. It will provide the legal tools to implement the environmental targets fixed in the Grenelle: Act 1 impact on French property.
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French property ownership solutions
Simple steps to take before and after you become the owner of a French property in order to ensure your French estate is dealt with in the way you wish during your lifetime and after death. Lawyer Sue Busby of France Legal explains...
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Unmarried and buying in France?
An SCI could be the answer….
Sue Busby of France Legal examines a way that unmarried partners purchasing a property together in France can reduce their potential inheritance tax liability – using what is called a Société Civil Immobilière Tontinière
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Complications with trusts
They aren't recognised in France
As many readers will appreciate, the rules of French inheritance are strict, and in principle mean that at least part of a person’s estate is left to his or her children. However, complications can arise.
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The complete legal package
Heslop & Platt solicitors provide legal expertise in all areas of French property and succession law. Contact us today with your French legal query.French Property Legal Services
Mayo Wynne Baxter's French Property Team advises clients on buying and selling property in France and has first hand experience and knowledge of French and English Legal systems.
French property and succession law
We help UK Nationals with buying and selling French property and French succession law problems including making wills. View our website to find out more.
Fluent in French Legal Affairs
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Financial advice & solutions for people relocating to France
Download Siddalls help sheets for "your new life in France" by clicking here.
Fed up of high UK taxation?
Tax planning is essential if you are to avoid paying on to Caesar more than is due to him. Blevins Franks mini-site explains more.
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