French Legislation In English

Search, Read and Apply French Law. In English.

20+ full codes, 2,400+ articles translated and updated. Case law linked to every article. Read the actual text before you ask a lawyer about it — free, no login required.

Try: L.227-1 SAS governance, L.145-9 bail commercial renewal, L.223-18 gérant removal SARL

20+

french codes

Fully translated

2,400+

articles in English

Updated regularly

480+

court rulings linked

Per article

Free

full access

No login required

Showing 211220 of 60191 articles for Art. avis 2013-027 of 4 October 2013

French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 430

Unless the law provides otherwise, the minutes and reports recording offences are valid for information purposes only.

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 1: Appearance of the accused

Article 408

…y appoint a sign language interpreter or any qualified person who has mastered a language or method of communicating with the deaf to assist him or her during the trial. The latter shall take an oath…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 2: The bringing of a civil action and its effects

Article 419

The declaration of civil party status is made either before the hearing at the clerk's office, or during the hearing by a declaration recorded by the clerk or by the filing of pleadings.

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 437

…as a witness is required to appear, to take an oath and to give evidence subject to the provisions of Articles 226-13 and 226-14 of the Penal Code.Any journalist heard as a witness on information gat…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 446

Before beginning their testimony, witnesses take an oath to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 1: Appearance of the accused

Article 414

The provisions of article 411, paragraphs 1 and 2, are applicable whenever the debate on the merits of the case is not to be addressed, and especially when the debate is to concern only civil interest…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 2: The bringing of a civil action and its effects

Article 421

At the hearing, the civil party's statement must, on pain of inadmissibility, be made before the prosecution's submissions on the merits or, if the court has ordered an adjournment of sentencing, befo…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 434

If the court considers that an expert opinion is necessary, it shall be carried out in accordance with Articles 156 to 166,168 and 169.

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 436

After making the findings provided for in Article 406, the President shall order the witnesses to retire to the room intended for them. They may leave only to give evidence. The President shall, if ne…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
Paragraph 3: Taking of evidence

Article 440

…s who has been fined or ordered to pay costs for non-appearance may, at the latest within five days of service of this decision made on his person or at his domicile file an objection.The right of app…

AI translation · Updated 8 Nov 2023Open Article
Common Questions

French legislation in English — Q&A

Our translations are produced and reviewed for accuracy, but the only legally binding version of French law is the French original. For court, registry or contractual use we offer lawyer-reviewed or sworn certified translations on request.
Articles are synced with Légifrance and updated as soon as a reform is published in the Journal Officiel, so you always read the version in force — and can see when each article was last amended.
Each article is linked to the key court decisions (Cour de cassation, Conseil d'État, courts of appeal) that interpret it, so you can read the text and its case-law application side by side.
Yes — every article has an AI plain-English summary, and you can order a lawyer-reviewed explanation of how it applies to your specific situation, with next steps.
No. Reading and searching the codes is free with no login. Paid services — certified translation and the legal application report — are entirely optional.
Mariela Petrova

Mariela Petrova

Avocate au Barreau de Paris

Toque #C2396

15+ Years In French Corporate Practice

English · French · Russian

Ready When You Are

Talk To A Lawyer
In France.

A 20–30 minute call, in English, to scope the engagement. No obligation, no preliminary fee. You will leave the call with a clear view of what the work will cover and what it will cost.

First EngagementFixed Fee

Talk to a French lawyer.

Reply within 24 hours.

Communications protected by professional secrecy — secret professionnel de l'avocat, Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971.

Continue

Related legal services

01 / Read

Browse the French codes

20+ full codes and 2,400+ articles in English, with the key court rulings linked to every article — free to read.

Read More
02 / Apply

Legal application report

A lawyer-reviewed report explaining how the relevant articles apply to your situation, with case-law analysis and next steps.

Read More
03 / Act

Talk to a French lawyer

Scope your matter with a Paris-Bar avocate — incorporation, contracts, disputes — handled bilingually, end to end.

Read More