(P.667) Index

actio empti 69

actio quanti minoris 69

actio redhibitoria 69, 79

action civile 202, 367, 374, 376, 377, 380–7, 393–7, 653

action directe

‘builders’, against 104

hire of property 110

sale 96–8

actori incumbit probatio 515

administrative law

comparisons between English and French law 166–7, 331–2, 334, 337, 346, 360–4, 638, 650–1

English law

A.V. Dicey 166, 169, 269, 333

judicial review 268–9, 333

‘ordinary law’ 156, 166–7, 269–70

royal prerogative 269, 333

sources of administrative power 332–5

statutory relationship 270

ultra vires 333, 345

French law

administrative illegality 313, 311–15

administrative process 325

A.V. Dicey 306

décision 30, 313

jurisdictional division 19, 60, 121, 133, 136, 143, 153, 320, 319, 648–9, 651

lois de Rolland 133, 267

ordre public 307–9, 312

police administrative 307, 312, 323

pouvoir de tutelle 308, 316

pouvoir réglementaire 307, 309

precautionary principle 309

prérogatives exorbitantes du droit commun 30

principes généraux de droit 30, 323

separation of powers, principle of 306–7, 378

sources of executive power 306–9, 332, 337

sujétions exorbitantes 30

see also administrative liability; public contracts

administrative liability

comparisons between English and French law 166–7, 331–2, 334, 337, 346, 360–4, 638

English law

administrative illegality and liability 340, 350, 362, 638

A.V.Dicey 166

causation 343

contracts 167

contribution 347–8, 353–4

Crown 167, 173 n. 145

EC law, influence of 168

European Convention of Human Rights, influence of 168–9, 338

failures in organisation or control of product safety Chap. 12, 542, 649

enactment of rules 344–6

enforcement 346–8

information provision 348–51, 354–6

product safety powers 334–5

highway authority 198–9

joint and several liability 172–3, 332, 557

limitation of actions 332

misfeasance in public office 167

omissions 341, 348

public interest immunity 331, 356–9

public servants 167, 171

pure economic loss 337, 341–2, 350–1, 353

sources of administrative powers 332–5

statutory authority 167

statutory duty, tort of breach of 335, 337, 347

strict liability 169

tort of negligence 167–8

breach of duty 169, 183, 340, 342, 345–6, 348, 354–6, 364

duty of care 335–44;

casuistry 338;

primary and secondary responsibility 343–4, 347, 352, 362;

relationship to private law 340–3;

statutory context 333, 336–8, 352

traditional view 166–7

vicarious liability 342

French law

actes 113, 313–14,

affaire du sang contaminé 306, 311, 315–19, 324, 635

‘autonomy’ of 19–20, 30, 167, 326

bases 113

Civil Code 20, 31–2, 33, 113, 117, 118, 122, 454, 457, 519

collaborateurs occasionnels du service public 119–20

Conseil d’Etat 113–14

costs of litigation 320, 325

dangerous activities 118–21

(p.668) dangerous things 114 n. 12, 118–21

décision 313

‘deeds of things,’ liability for? 8, 113, 116–18, 649

defences

exception d’illégimité 329

fait d’un tiers/fait d’une tierce personne 34, 125, 318, 319, 322–4, 552

‘equality of public burdens’ 21, 119–20

failures in organisation or control of product safety, Chap. 12

administrative illegality 311–15

affaire du sang contaminé 306, 311, 315–19, 324

attractiveness of private claims 321–5

basis 305, 310–18

causation 318

enforcement 314

fait d’un tiers 318, 319, 322–4

faute simple/faute lourde 310–15, 317

information, provision of 309

maire 308

practical ‘irresponsibility’ 311, 319–30

recourse claims 305, 311, 326–30

regulations 309–10, 314

sources of powers 305, 306–10

supervision 316

fault, presumption of 115, 119 n. 57, 120 n. 65

faute de service 114, 115–16, 125, 635

faute du service public 115

faute lourde 20, 31, 114, 120, 305, 310–15, 317, 635

faute simple 20, 114, 120, 305, 310–15, 317, 635

insurance 36

medical liability 143, 144, 145–6, 649

police judiciaire 19

prescription quadriennale 133 n. 8, 320–2, 326, 329

Product Liability Directive 454, 457, 519–20, 536–7, 541–2

public servants, personal immunity 167

rescue services 312–13

‘solidary’ liability 34, 129, 305, 323–4

strict liability 32, 117–21, 635

time-periods 35, 133 n. 8,

vehicles, harm caused by 115, 119, 649

see also, ‘public works’

advice, liability for

English law 273

French law 102–4, 107

aedilitian remedies 69, 79

affaire du sang contaminé 10, 29, 120, 142, 149–51, 305, 306, 311, 315–19, 324, 368, 369, 370–1, 382, 394–401

administrative liability 306, 311, 315–19, 324

civil liability of producers and suppliers 149–51

constitutional law aspects 398–400

Cour de justice de la République 399

criminal proceedings 319, 394–401

administrative officers 294, 400–1

charges 395–8, 398–9, 400

government ministers 394, 398–400

National Blood Transfusion Centre officers 394, 395–8

victims, role in process 394, 395, 396–7, 399, 401

Haute Cour de justice 398–400

organisation of public blood supply 149–51

Product Liability Directive, influence on French implementation 450, 454–5, 458

service public 149, 150

special compensation scheme 316 n. 89, 319, 396

State liability 315–19, 542

appel en garantie see recourse; French law

blood

compensation schemes

English law 177 n. 184, 359

French law 316 n. 89, 319, 396

liability for

English law 331, 356–60, 486–94, 499–502

French law 120 n. 66 and see affaire du sang contaminé

Product Liability Directive 433, 440, 447, 476, 479–80, 486–94

breach of statutory duty, tort of see statutory duty, tort of breach of

BSE 445, 446

buildings, liability for

English law

see construction, liability for; occupiers’ liability

French law

‘builder’ see construction, French law

owner 26, 111

burden of proof

Consumer Guarantees Directive 593

English law

tort of negligence 208–10, 205–6

French law

crime 385

defect in property sold 78

delictual fault 47–8

generally 47

parties, roles of 645–6

sale 78

Product Liability Directive 437, 446, 449–50, 509, 514–15

(p.669) Caisses de sécurité sociale 38, 61–2, 125, 383

‘Camelford water’ affair 224–5, 277, 415, 423

cassation, system of 40–1

causation

English law

contribution claims 561

sale of goods 248–50

French administrative liability

affaire du sang contaminé 317

fait d’un tiers/fait d’une tierce personne 34, 125, 318, 319, 322–4

presumption of causation 318

French criminal law 375–6, 387–93, 400

French private law 55–6

‘implication’ of motor vehicle 60

involuntary homicide

presumptions 55, 463–4

sale 86–91

see also contributory fault, defence of; Product Liability Directive, Causation

causing personal injuries, French offence of 371, 372, 387, 389–93

Civil Code (French)

administrative law 20, 31–2, 33, 113, 117, 118, 122, 454, 457, 519

Consumer Guarantees Directive, implementation 574, 577–9, 583

liability, provisions governing

carrier of goods 140

delictual fault 21, 23

‘deeds of things’ 19, 24

garantie légale in sale 69–70

general law of contract 21–2

public sector housing 134–5

nature 453–4, 469

Product Liability Directive

contagious effect 465, 538

‘judicial implementation’ of 450–1, 455–7, 461–2

legislative implementation 454–5, 460–1, 465, 657

see also loi of 1998

reform 453, 458, 582–3, 578, 575–6

civil process

comparisons between English and French law 207–8, 211, 213–14, 217–18, 359, 644, 653–4, 660

English law

appeal 198, 209, 214–17, 647

Civil Procedure Rules 206–7, 211, 212, 213, 342, 359, 364

disclosure 213

discovery 213

documentary evidence 212–13, 356–9, 644

evidence 210–14

examples 295–9, 301, 486–7

expert evidence 211–12

finality of decisions 214–17

juries 174, 186, 187, 189–90, 191–2, 209, 215, 646–7, 653

negligence 213, 214, 218

public interest immunity 331, 356–9

roles of parties and court 205–8, 211, 646

striking out claim 168, 342

trial court 215–16, 218

French law 46–50

appeal 41

burden of proof 47

cassation 40–1

costs 50,

disclosure 48

distrust of orality 48

documentary evidence 48, 495, 644

expertise 48–50, 55, 78, 495, 644,

fault and 218

juges des référées 78

roles of parties and court 46, 646

clauses abusives 93–5, 110 n. 126, 262–3

clauses de garantie 130

clauses exorbitantes du droit commun 33, 136

commercial contracts

French law

laissé pour compte (sale) 81

prescription periods 34

rachat 80

Commission de la sécurité des consommateurs 310, 314

common carriers 267–8, 281–2

common employment, defence of 220

common law, relationship to statute 223, 337, 469, 471–4, 642

comparative law, nature of 2–4

compensation

recoupment by ‘third party payers’

English law 175–8

French law 37–8

special schemes

English law

contaminated blood 177 n. 184, 359

victims of crime 403 n. 2

French law

contaminated blood 316 n. 89, 319, 396

medical accidents 151–4

victims of crime 367 n. 4

work accidents 61–2, 125

Conseil d’Etat 19, 21, 30, 113–14

Constitution of Fifth Republic 10, 307, 398–400

constitutional law

English law

EC directives, power to implement 584–5

private prosecution 419

sources of public powers 332–5

French law 10, 307, 398–400

criminal offences 37

(p.670) equality 379

Etat de droit 402

government ministers 394, 398–400, 653

power to create 369 n. 14, 390

State liability 378–9, 389

‘gouvernement des juges’ 641

law-making powers 369 n. 14, 390, 452, 643

ordonnance 452

presumption of innocence 385

separation of powers 306–7, 402

construction, liability for

comparisons between English and French law 274–5

English law

architect 273

contract 274–5

negligence, tort of 179, 181

French law

action directe 104, 107

‘builders,’ special legislative liabilities 104–8

building inspectors 107–8

‘contractual non-conformity’ 106

contrôleurs technique 107–8

‘defect’ 105, 106

delictual fault 106

exemption clauses 105

‘guarantee of perfect achievement’ 105

obligation de sécurité 106

Product Liability Directive, and 460, 480, 535–6

‘solidary liability’ 108

‘ten-year liability’ (responsabilité décennale) 105, 107

‘two-year liability’ 105

sub-contractor 106

consumer contract

European directives 1–2

see also Consumer Guarantees Directive; unfair contract terms, Unfair Terms in

Consumer Contracts Directive

Consumer Guarantees Directive 1, 4, 12–13, 233, 270, Chap. 19, 656, 658–9, 662–3

choice of law 622

competence 567

‘consumer’ 588, 591

‘consumer goods’ 588, 589, 619

contracts affected 589–90, 619

‘contractual conformity’ 566, 569, 570, 591–604

anteriority, presumption of 566, 594–5, 611, 619

awareness of buyer 602–3

burden of proof 593

description, compliance with 596

duration 566

English law 587, 592, 594–5, 596–9, 599–601, 602, 603–4

express terms 592, 593

fitness for purpose 596–9, 631

French law 580–1, 592, 594–5, 596, 599, 601–2, 603–4

implied terms 592–3

installation and instructions 602

manufacturer, public statements by 600–1

presumption of 593

price, relevance of 597–8, 600

‘quality and performance’ 599–602

safety 598, 600

sample, compliance with 596

seriousness 595–6, 597–8

strictness of liability 603–4

Vienna Convention 569, 592, 593

creation 565–6

defendants 590–1

exemption clauses 623–4

harmonisation of laws 567–8, 605, 647, 658–9, 661–3

implementation 572–3, 627

English law 583–8, 627–8, 656

consultative process 585–7

‘contractual conformity’ 580–1, 592, 594–5, 596, 599, 601–2, 603–4

form 586, 587–8, 595

government, role of 584–5

2002 Regulations 587

rights of consumer 611–16

French law 573–83, 627–8, 658–9, 663

bref délai 575, 581, 582–3, 663

Civil Code 574, 577–9, 583

‘contractual conformity’ 580–1, 592, 594–5, 596, 599, 601, 658

existing bases of liability, preservation of 604

ordonnance of 17 February 2005 575, 659

reform, more general 575–83, 663

rights of consumer 604, 605, 616–19

Viney Working Group 574, 574–5, 616–17, 658

indemnity claims 625–7

manufacturer’s liability 625

notification by consumer 621

prescription/limitation of actions 619

English law 619–20

French law 620–1

privity of contract 624

Product Liability Directive, comparisons 566–73, 631–2

‘defect’/‘quality and performance’ 600

implementation, relation to 444, 464, 468–9, 507, 533, 566, 572, 631–2, 662–3

integration, problems of 572–3

parentage 568–72

purposes 567–8

(p.671) remedial consequences 572

safety/quality 631

purposes 567–8

‘reasonableness’ 570, 595, 599–600, 602, 617

remedies of consumer 604–5

English law 571, 605, 614–15

French law 605

procedural expression 605, 609, 614–16, 617–18, 643–4

terminology 605–5

see also Consumer Guarantees Directive, rights of consumer

rights of consumer 604–18

astreintes 618

civilian influence 570–1

damages 565–6, 603–4, 605, 610, 611, 615, 616, 631–2

English law 587, 604, 611–16, 656

French law 604, 605, 616–19

hierarchy 604, 606–10, 614, 621

price reduction 571, 604, 608, 609–10

Product Liability Directive, comparison 572

repair 566, 571, 597, 604, 606–7

replacement 566, 571, 597, 604, 606–7

rescission 566, 571, 604, 605–6, 608, 609–10

résolution 616, 617–18

seller, protective of 604, 608

terminology 604

wider reform, as basis of 574–83, 603–4, 627–8

consumer protection

see Consumer Guarantees Directive; consumer safety; Product Liability Directive

Consumer Protection Act 1987

consumer safety 334–5, 406, 466–7, 474–5, 510

product liability 467–73

contributory negligence 71, 510

‘damage’ 460, 470, 472, 503, 506–7

defences 518–19, 521

development risks defence 466–8, 470, 495–502

foreclosure period 529

inconsistencies with Product Liability

Directive 495–9, 519

joint and several liability 471

negligence, relation to 465–8, 485–92, 495–502, 656

consumer safety

EC directives 222, 334–5, 370–1, 525

English law 222, 334–5, 406, 466–7, 474–5

French law 309, 370–1

contract

English law

classical approach 157

duty of disclosure 229

fault 637

implied terms 157

public utilities 278

sale of goods 226, 229, 232–45, 265, 271, 273, 594–604, 637

sale of land 226, 228, 274

services, for 271–4

supply of goods 271–3

transfer of goods 273

transport 283–5

misrepresentation 229, 230, 259, 261

mistake 229, 230–1

privity of contract 158–9, 161, 184, 227, 264–5, 274, 279

public contracts see public contracts, English law

standard terms 158, 170, 290

tort and 157 ns. 1, 2, 158

unfair contract terms 208, 260–2, 285, 588–9

see also sale, English law; services, liability for, English law;

French law

administrative law of 20, 33

agreement, and 21

clauses abusives 93, 110 n. 126

contrat d’entreprise 274

dol 63, 64, 65, 69, 106, 109, 110

erreur 22

exemption clauses 93–5, 105, 108, 109, 110

fault 29, 106, 142–3, 633, 634, 637

see also obligation de moyens

freedom of contract 21–2, 581–2

good faith 23, 65, 230, 263

inexécution dolosive 263

medical

obligation de garantie 93

private law of, 21–3, Chaps. 4, 5

privity/relativity of contract 28–9, 95–8

public contracts, see public contracts, French law

‘publicisation’ of 20, 23

remedies 259–60

sale see sale; French law

services publics industriels et commerciaux 135

social view of 23, 28, 581–2

unfair contract terms 93–5, 262–3

violence 22

see also clauses exorbitantes dudroit commun; non-cumul des responsabilités contractuelle et délictuelle; obligation d’information; obligation de moyens; obligation de résultat; obligation de securité

see also Consumer Guarantees Directive; hire of property; public contracts; public services; sale

(p.672) contributory fault, defence of

English law 174 n. 158, 199–200, 203, 248–50, 471

French law 57, 59, 67, 77, 87–8, 126, 127, 128, 603

Product Liability Directive 471

contrôleurs technique 107–8

Cour d’assises 369, 372, 395–6, 400

Cour de cassation, role of 1, 19, 40–2

Cour de justice de la République 399

Creutzfeld-Jakob disease (CJD) (compensation for) 155, 446, 295–9

English law 295–9

French law 155

criminal injuries compensation

comparison between English and French law 178

English law 403 n. 2, 177

French law 367 n. 4

criminal law

civil liability and,

comparisons between English and French law 45–6, 202–3, 218–24, 403–4, 413–14, 415, 419, 425, 427, 638, 644–5, 653–4

English law 11, 202–3, 219, 414, 419, 645

compensation orders 403, 404, 413–14, 419, 424–7

negligence, tort of 190–1, 202–3, 419, 638

public nuisance 414

statutory duty, tort of breach of 218–24, 419

French law

criminal and civil fault 10–11, 45–6, 368, 374–5, 388, 393–4, 462, 634, 644–5, 652

comparisons between English and French law 405, 407–9, 411–12, 414, 417–18

English law

actus reus 404

administering a noxious thing 408 n. 49

classification of offences 405

‘corporate killing’ 413 n. 78, 417

defendants 416–18

corporations 413 n. 78, 416–17, 418

humans 417–18

due diligence, defence of 406

juries, and definitions of offences 407–8, 412, 413

manslaughter see manslaughter (involuntary)

mens rea 404–5, 407–8

murder see murder

personal injuries, causing 407, 414

product safety, offences affecting 404–16

proof, standard of 423

public law or private law? 653

public nuisance 414–16, 426–7

‘regulatory crime’ 404, 405, 404–7, 414, 418, 421, 426

French law

affaire du sang contaminé 294, 319, 394–401

see also affaire du sang contaminé

breach of safety regulations 371

burden of proof 385

causing personal injuries, offence of 371, 372, 387, 389–93

constitutional aspects 369 n. 14, 378–9, 390, 398–400, 402, 652

contravention 369, 371, 372

contributory fault (in victim) 376

crime 369, 371–2, 395, 397–8

Criminal Code (Code pénal) of 1994 368, 369, 372, 378, 387–93, 405

criminal fault (faute pénale)

aggravated fault 389–93, 394

breach of règlement 373, 388–9

délits 387–93

dol direct/dol indirect 372

dol général/dol spécial 371

élément morale 371

faute caractérisée 389–93, 394, 635

infraction matérielle 45–6, 373, 388

juges du fond 371, 372, 374, 391

reform 389–93, 634

defendants 367, 376–80

administrative officials 376

chefs d’entreprises 377, 380, 390

comparisons with English law 417–18

human persons 376–7, 379, 380, 389–93

junior employees 377, 390–1

local authorities 379, 388, 392, 652

maires 368, 378, 387, 389, 390, 392

personnes morales 369, 376, 378–80, 389–93

private companies 378, 380, 392

‘public decision makers’ 387, 388–93, 652–3

State 378–9, 389–93, 652

deliberately placing a person in danger 369

délits 368, 370, 372, 384, 387

division of offences 369

euthanasia 372

failing to assist a person in danger 395

product safety, offences affecting 370–6

public law or private law? 653

see also falsification; homicide involontaire; homicide volontaire; tromperie

criminal procedure, see criminal process

criminal process

comparisons between English law and French law 386, 402–4, 413–14, 419, 422, 425, 427, 422–3, 644–5, 653–4

English law 11, 403–5, 419–27

(p.673) compensation orders 403, 404, 413–14, 419, 424–7, 653–4

Crown Court 405, 424

documents, disclosure of 422

juries 405, 407

Magistrates’ Court 405, 424

private prosecution 404, 419–20

prosecution of offences 404, 419–22

trial, modes of 405

victims of crime 403, 427

see also criminal process, English law: compensation orders, private prosecution

French law 10–11, Chap. 14, 644–5, 651–2

action civile 202, 367, 374, 376, 377, 380–7, 393–7, 653

action publique 380–2, 383, 385, 399, 651

advantages over civil process 384–6

compensation for death and personal injuries Chap. 14, 634

‘correctionalisation’ 396

cost 385–6

dénonciation calomnieuse 386–7

evidence 384

expertise 384, 385, 391

hearing, nature of 386

juges d’instruction 10, 325, 381–2, 395, 399, 400, 634–5, 651

juges du fond 385

jury 369

ministère public (parquet) 367, 374, 380–1, 395–6, 400

partie civile 37, 51, 202, 367, 374, 376, 377, 380–7, 393–7, 653

consumers’ associations 382

contributory fault 376

double role 380–3

restraints on 381–3, 386

parties to proceedings

Caisse de sécurité sociale 383

defendants see criminal law, French law, defendants

defendant’s insurer 381

prosecution 381

victims of crime see criminal process, French law, partie civile

victim’s insurer 383

prosecution 380–2, 396, 398–400

traditional picture 368–7

work accidents 382

see also criminal law

Crown (English law)

contract 170

liability 167, 173 n. 145

service 171

Crown Court 405, 424

curia novit legem 46, 207

damage to property, see property, damage to

damages, quantification 15, 385, 426–7, 502–5

‘deeds of things’, liability for 7–8, 51–61, 99, 101, 102, 106 n. 76, 456

accidents at work, and 62

administrative law, and 8, 113, 116, 117, 138

basis of 53

causation 54–9

Civil Code 19, 24

comparisons with English law 162–3, 165, 182–3

contributory fault (of victim) 57, 59

development of 24,

electricity 138

fault, relation to 52–9, 633

force majeure 57–9

garde 51–4, 463

motor vehicle accidents, and 60–1

Product Liability Directive 456, 459, 527, 533, 539–41, 543–4, 563–4

rail transport 140 n. 65

recourse claims by gardien 101–2

‘defect’

Consumer Guarantees Directive, see Consumer Guarantees Directive, ‘contractual conformity’

English law

tort of negligence

design 194–5

manufacturing 209–10

qualitative 179, 180

warnings 181, 291

French law

causation and (liability for ‘deeds of things’) 57

design 244

hire, liability for 109, 110

manufacturing 73

warnings 67–9, 73–4

see also construction, liability for, French law, ‘defect’; sale, French law, ‘defect’;

Product Liability Directive see Product Liability Directive, ‘defect’;

defences see common employment; contract, English law, unfair contract terms; contract, French law; exemption clauses; contributory fault; exemption clauses; force majeure; fait d’un tiers; volenti non fit injuria

defendants

criminal law see criminal law, English law, defendants; criminal law, French law, defendants

gardien see ‘deeds of things’, liability for; garde

Product Liability Directive see Product Liability Directive, defendants

‘public works’ see ‘public works’, defendants

seller see sale

(p.674) see also manufacturer’s liability for products; suppliers of products

‘deliberately placing a person in danger’ (French criminal offence) 369

delictual liability (French private law)

animals 26

another’s harmful actions, for 25–6, 164

buildings 26

causation 54–61, 375–6, 390

children 25, 329

comparisons with English law 159–60, 164–5

contractual liability 27–9, 96

see also non-cumul des responsabilités contractuelle et délictuelle

contributory fault 26, 59, 60

‘deeds of things’, liability for, see ‘deeds of things’, liability for

defences see force majeure, contributory fault

dommage 23–4

dommage moral 24 n. 41

economic loss, and 52

employer’s liability 24–6, 61–2

fault, liability for 23–4, 40–50

force majeure 26

insurance, see insurance, French law

negligence 24, 42–4

réparation intégrale, principle of 24, 85

vicarious liability 24–6

design

English law

carriers 284

pharmaceuticals 292

sale of goods 239

tort of negligence 181

French law

sale 73, 455

services 102–3

see also defect, English law/French law, design; designer, liability of

designer, liability of

English law 184, 194–5, 273

French law 102–3, 104

Dicey, A.V. 166, 169, 306, 333

dol (civil law) 63, 64, 65, 69, 106, 109, 110

dol (criminal law) 371–2

dol par réticence 65, 69

droit commun contractuel (general law of contract) 69, 70, 456

droit commun délictuel (general law of delict) 23–4, 462

see also fault, French law, delictual fault

effectiveness, principle of 504–5, 508, 512–14, 524, 644

electricity, liability for 125, 128

Consumer Guarantees Directive 589–90

English law 228, 278–9

French law 136–9, 545–6

Product Liability Directive 476, 478–9

employer’s civil liability

English law 163, 175, 181–2

defective equipment 163, 182, 555

negligence 195, 197, 198, 203

statutory duty, tort of breach of 219, 221, 554–5

French law

accidents at work 61–2

vicarious liability 25–6, 53–4

Product Liability Directive 555

entreprise privée 134

erreur see contract, French law, erreur

établissement public 132, 133, 134 n. 11, 136, 140 n. 68

établissement public industriel et commercial

criminal responsibility 379

examples 105

see also service public industriel et commercia

European Convention on Human Rights,

article 6 168, 379

English administrative liability and 168–9

European Convention on Products Liability 432–5, 437, 523

European Court of Justice 12, 640, 647–8, 660

‘autonomous interpretations’ 437, 503–4, 508, 511, 524, 648

decisions of 2002 431, 436, 440–4, 448, 451, 457, 459, 461, 474–5, 492–3

European legislation 1–2

‘complete harmonisation’ 11, 13–14, 431, 440–1, 443, 459, 475, 494, 507, 512, 567, 654, 661, 663–4

implementation 654–9

Consumer Guarantees Directive 573–88, 627–8

Product Liability Directive 450–75, 503

minimal 654, 656, 567–8, 605, 663–4

see also Consumer Guarantees Directive; Product Liability Directive

evidence

English law

civil 208–14, 288

criminal 422

French law

civil 489–50

criminal 384

exemption clauses, see contract, English law, unfair contract terms; contract, French law, exemption clauses

expertise 48–50, 78, 384, 385, 391, 495, 644

fact and law

comparisons between English and French law 217, 640–3, 645–7

(p.675) English law

appeals 209, 215

evidence 208, 211–12

judge and jury 186, 187, 189–90, 191–2, 205–6, 640

juridification of fact 201, 492, 642, 659–60

legal characterisation of fact 208, 214, 215–17, 645

pleadings 205

precedent 192–3, 201

primary and secondary fact 216

roles of parties and court 205–8, 211

European Court 492–4

French law

Cour de cassation and juges du fond 40–2, 640–1

see also juges du fond

roles of parties and court 46

fait d’un tiers/d’une tierce personne, defence of 34, 125, 126, 128, 318, 319, 322–24, 552

falsification 369, 370–1, 407

fault

English law

mens rea 404–5, 407–8, 411–13

negligence see negligence, tort of, breach of duty

public nuisance 225

fault/no fault, distinction 632–8

French law

administrative fault 20, 31, 114, 115–16, 120, 125, 305, 310–15, 317, 635

administrative law, illegality and 20, 114

bon père de famille 42, 88

contractual fault 29, 106, 142–3, 633, 634, 637

see also obligation de moyens

contributory (of victim) 57, 59, 67, 77, 87–8

criminal fault (faute pénale) see criminal law, French law, criminal fault

‘deeds of things’, relation to 52–9, 633

definitions and usages

administrative liability 21, 311–15

contract law 28, 29

criminal fault 371–2, 387, 388–93

delictual fault 23–4, 42–6

delictual fault (private law) 20, 29, 40–50, 102, 103, 632–4

breach of duty, and 45–6, 223, 633

civil process, and 40–1, 46–50

comparisons with English law 159–60, 169, 180, 186, 190, 200–2, 483

criminal offences, and 45–6, 368, 374–5, 388, 393–4, 633

definitions 23–4, 42–6

hirer’s claims 112

juges du fond, and 44–5, 201, 217, 633

loi of 1998 533–4

manufacturer’s liability 146–7

moral basis 24, 43

negligence 24, 42–4

presumption of 101

proof of 47–8

faute de la victime see fault, French law, contributory (of victim)

imprudence 40, 43, 633

medical liability 142–3

see also faute lourde; faute intentionnel; faute simple

generally 632–40

Product Liability Directive 483–4, 485–94, 501, 554–5

faute de la victime see contributory fault, defence of, French law

faute de service 31, 114, 115–16, 125

faute du service public 115

faute intentionnel 42, 44, 61

faute lourde 20, 31, 42, 106, 114, 120, 305, 310–15, 317, 635

basis of administrative liability 20, 31, 114, 120, 305, 310–15, 317

‘gross negligence’ (English law) 187, 191, 412–13

ground of invalidity of exemption clause 94

faute simple 20, 24, 31, 42, 114, 120, 305, 310–15, 317, 635

fonds de garantie 38

transfusional victims of HIV 38 n. 173

food, liability for

English law 221, 272

French law 73, 100, 370–1

Product Liability Directive 433, 436, 446, 458, 476–7, 491–2

food, safety of

English law 221, 335

French law 308–9

force majeure, defence to liability 58, 495, 581, 603

carriage of goods 140

carriage of persons 140, 286

construction 105

contractual non-performance 57–8

‘deeds of things’ 58–9

development risks 495

fait du Prince 502

garantie légale in sale 87, 89–91, 247–8

hire 110

‘public works’ 126, 128

sale 87, 89–91, 247–8

supply of blood 150

garantie légale see sale, French law, garantie légale

gardien see ‘deeds of things’, liability for, garde

(p.676) gas, liability for

Consumer Guarantees Directive 589–90

English law 228, 276–9

French law 136–9, 545–6

Product Liability Directive 478–9, 521

good faith, principle of (French law) 23, 65, 230, 263

harmonisation of laws, European

Consumer Guarantees Directive, and 1, 567–8, 605, 647, 658–9, 661–3

generally 1–2, 647, 654–66

Product Liability Directive 1, 4, 7, 436–9, 441, 443, 446, 449, 517, 647, 651, 657, 659

‘complete harmonisation’ 11, 13–14, 431, 440–1, 443, 459, 475, 494, 507, 512, 567, 647, 654, 661, 663–4

qualifications in Directive 436, 441

references to national law 436–7, 502–8, 509

Haute Cour de justice 398–400

hire of property 99, 108–12

English law

goods 271–4

land, see landlord, liability of

French law

‘deeds of things’, liability for 53, 111

defects, liability for 109, 110

delictual fault 111

exemption clauses 109, 110

force majeure 110

leases 108

loi of 1998 534–5

non-cumul 109

obligation de sécurité 111

prescription 110

privity of contract 110, 111

repair 109

réparations locatives 109

sale, liability compared 109, 110

homicide involontaire

causation 375–6, 387–93, 400

comparisons with English law 413

‘fault’ 368, 372–5, 387–9

breach of règlement 373, 388–9

faute caractérisée 389–93

subjective assessment 368, 387–8

juges du fond 387, 391–2, 400

manufacturer or supplier 373–4, 375–6, 377, 391–2

reform 387–93, 401

traditional law 372–6

homicide volontaire 369, 371–2, 397–8, 400, 401

comparisons with English law 407–9

intention to kill 372

juges du fond 372, 397–8

murder 368, 372, 400

poisoning 372, 395–7, 400

housing, public sector

English law 171–2

French law 135

human growth hormone (HGH)

English law (litigation) 295–9, 356

French law (compensation for) 155

Human Rights Act 1998 173, 269

compensation under 173 n. 145

immovable property

English law see occupiers’ liability; premises

French law see buildings, liability for; construction, liability for; ‘public works’

insurance

comparisons between English and French law 174

English law

compulsory 174–5

development risks 467, 497

effect on development of liability 173–5, 188, 224, 299, 352

medical liability 287, 301

recovery of sums paid 176

French law

administrative liability 36

development risks 458

effect on development of liability 35–6, 44, 458

medical (first party) 141

medical liability 142, 151–4

obligatory 35–6, 104, 325

recovery of sums paid 37–8

Product Liability Directive, effect on 448

joint and several liability

English law 172–3, 557–63

administrative liability 172–3, 332, 557

contribution 558–61

indemnity 158, 248, 249–50, 256, 264–6, 558–9

sale of goods 248

Product Liability Directive 434, 438, 509–10

see also recourse claims; ‘solidary liability’

judicial discretion

English law’s structuring of 641–2

negligence 192–200

sale of goods 245

judicial institutions

English law 214–17, 646–7

see also juries (English law)

French law 1, 19, 40, 60, 121, 133, 136, 143, 153, 219, 320, 319, 640, 646

see also juges du fond

juge des référés 78, 89

juge d’instruction 10, 325, 381–2, 395, 399, 400, 634–5, 651

(p.677) juges du fond

astreintes 618

bref délai, and 91, 620

causation, role in assessment

defect in property sold 86

generally (private law) 55

involuntary homicide 375–6

comparisons with English law 217, 413, 659–60

‘conformity’ (under Consumer Guarantees Directive) 595, 597–8

contribution between ‘co-authors’ of harm 548

contributory fault 87

criminal law 48, 369, 371, 372, 374, 387, 391–2, 397–8, 400

‘defect’ under Product Liability Directive 484–94

‘defect’ in sale, role in assessment of 75, 76, 78, 245

delictual fault, role in assessment of 44–5, 201, 633

evidence, role in relation to (civil courts) 47, 49, 55

institutional position of 40–1, 217

insurance, liability and 35

‘intime conviction’ (criminal courts) 48

‘pouvoir souverain d’appréciation’ 11, 41, 48, 640

quantification of damages, role in 85

jurisprudence,

English precedent, compared 45, 643

legislation, relation to 461, 464, 643

Product Liability Directive, implementing 22, 76, 148, 444, 450–1, 455–7, 461–2

status of 45

jury (English law)

civil 174, 646–7, 653

criminal 405, 407–8, 412, 413, 647, 653

evidence, law of 208, 209

negligence, issue of 186, 187, 189–90, 191–2, 209, 215, 287, 646–7

sale of goods 235

jury (French law) 369

landlord, liability of (English law) 271, 274–6

law and fact see fact and law

Law Commission

breach of statutory duty, tort of 221

contracts for transfer of goods 273

product liability 432, 465

sale of goods 232, 236, 253–4, 255, 599

‘liability for products,’ definition 5–10

limitation of actions see prescription/limitation

of actions

‘logements HLM’ 135

loi of 1998 457–65, 657–8

burdens of proof 519

causation 463, 512–13

contributory fault 510

correction by loi of 2004 459, 460, 658

‘damage’ 472, 503

‘defect’ 482–4, 492

development risks defence 457–60, 464–5, 494–5, 501–2

European Court’s censure 440–2

existing bases of liability, relation to 458, 461–4, 483–4, 657

foreclosure period 459, 520, 529

form 460–1

inconsistencies, remaining with Product

Liability Directive 480, 512–13, 519, 520

obligation de suivi 459, 462

professionnel 519

réparation intégrale 460, 657

‘supplier’ 458–9, 523, 524

lois de Rolland 133, 267

lois impératives 22

lois supplétives 22

louage des choses see hire of property, French law

louage d’ouvrage 22

Magistrates’ Court 405, 424

manslaughter (involuntary) 405, 411–14, 426

comparisons with French law 413

corporate 417

gross negligence 412–13

manufacturer or supplier 411, 412

mens rea 411–13

unlawful act 411–12

manufacturer’s liability for products

Consumer Guarantees Directive 624–5

English law

breach of statutory duty 222–3

criminal responsibility 405–7, 409–11, 415–16

manufacturers’ guarantees 238, 264–5

sale of goods 241–2, 265

tort of negligence 161, 180, 188–9, 194, 200, 203, 209, 210, 292

French law

criminal responsibility 373–4, 375–6, 377, 391–2

‘deeds of things’ 51, 54

delictual fault 51, 62, 146–7

gardien de la structure 51, 54

pre-fabricated building parts 104, 106

sale, under 65–8, 73–4, 85, 89, 90–1, 95–8

Product Liability Directive see Product Liability Directive, defendants, manufacturer

manufacturing defect 73, 209–10, 488–9, 491

maxims

actori incumbit probatio 515, 594

caveat emptor 226, 229, 232

(p.678) contra non valentem agere non currit praescriptio 527

Curia novit legem 46

ignorantia juris neminem excusat 207 n. 241

le juge est censé connaître le droit 46

le roi ne peut mal faire 30

nemo auditur propriam turpitudinem allegans 328–9

res ipsa loquitur 209–10, 216 n. 324, 284, 288

volenti non fit injuria 219, 220

medical compensation, French legislative scheme 151–2, 153–4

medical liability

comparisons between English and French law 286, 299–301

English law

charitable hospitals 286, 289

contract 286–7

‘contracting-out’ 290–1

insurance 287, 301

NHS 286–7, 290–1

non-delegable duty 286, 291, 300

public and private sectors 286–7, 289–91, 300

public hospitals 286, 299–301

res ipsa loquitur 288

strict liability (rejection of) 288

tort of negligence 182, 196, 286, 194, 287–301

vicarious liability 286, 289, 290–1, 300

French law 141–55

administrative law 143, 144, 145–6

assurance maladie 141

cause étrangère 152, 153

contract 142–3

fault 143, 145, 152

infections nosocomiales 143, 152, 153–4, 155, 537

insurance 37, 141, 151, 152, 154–5

medical products 142, 144–6, 153, 155

obligation de moyens 142–3, 145 n. 107

obligation de résultat 143, 144, 150, 153

obligation de sécurité 142–3, 144

organisation of health care 141

pharmaceuticals 145–6

pharmacists 142

presumption of fault 144 n. 99, 145–6

private law 142–3, 145

reform of law 142, 151–5, 661

strict liability 143, 144, 146, 152–3

unification of public and private laws 20

medical products, liability for

comparisons between English law and French law 300–1

English law

blood 356–60, 486–94, 499–502

contractual strict liability 287, 291–2

Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease Litigation 295–9

doctors 287–90

hospitals 289–90

manufacturer

‘cost/benefit’ analysis 293

product warnings 293, 295

public bodies 294–9

NHS 291–9

pharmaceuticals 291, 294–9

private sector 291–2

psychiatric injury 298–9

regulator 299, 354–60

French law

blood 149–51

see also affaire du sang contaminé

fault 146–7, 148

hospitals and doctors 144–6

loi of 1998 458, 536

manufacturer 146, 149–51

pharmacists 148

strict liability 144, 145, 146, 148

supplier’s liability 148, 149–51, 151–3

Product Liability Directive

blood 486–94, 499–502, 536–7

hospital as producer 515–17

pharmaceuticals 536

misfeasance in public office 167

motor vehicle accidents, liability for

English law 164, 468

breach of statutory duty 221

Consumer Protection Act 1987 559

crime 203

highway authority 198–9

Highway Code 205

negligence 188

French law

administrative law 115, 119

criminal injuries compensation scheme 367 n. 4

insurance 35–6

loi of 5 July 1985 56, 59, 60–1, 454, 543

loi of 1998 542–4

unification of public and private laws 19, 115

murder 404, 405, 407–11

negligence

English law

gross negligence (manslaughter) 412–13

see also negligence, tort of; occupiers’ liability

French law 20, 314

civil law 24, 42–4, 115, 143

criminal law 372–5, 387–8

see also fault, French law, delictual fault

negligence, tort of 159–64, 179–218, 636–7, 655–6

administrative liability 167–9, 183, Chap. 13

(p.679) analytical framework 160

breach of duty (‘negligence’)

administrative liability 169, 183, 340, 342, 345–6, 348, 354–6, 364

‘Bolam test’ 188, 342

burden of proof 208–9

civil process 213, 214

comparisons with French law 160, 169, 186, 200–2, 633, 637

‘cost/benefit analysis’ 192–200, 293, 354–6, 655–6

crime 190–1, 202–3

‘fault’ 159–60, 186–7, 201, 202

foreseeability 193–6, 295

gross negligence 187, 191

inference 208–10

jury 186, 187, 189–90, 191–2, 209, 215

manufacturer 188–9, 194, 200, 203, 209, 210,

‘measured negligence’ 197

reasonable care 186–7, 195–205

res ipsa loquitur 209–10, 216 n. 324, 284, 288

presumptions 205 n. 22, 209–10

Product Liability Directive, comparisons with 465–8, 486–501, 553–7, 553–63

professionals 188

safety standards 190–1, 204–5

standard of care 188–9, 288, 297, 342

statutory duty 186, 190–1, 203–5

builder 275

comparisons with French law 159–60, 169, 180, 186, 200–2

comparisons with Product Liability Directive 465–8, 485–92, 495–502, 656

contract, relation to 161, 184, 185, 637

contributory negligence defence 174 n. 158, 199–200, 203

dominance of 179–80

duty of care 159–62, 167, 180, 182, 435–44

employer’s liability 181–2, 195, 197, 198, 203

fault see negligence, tort of, breach of duty

landlord 275

liability for another’s action 166

manufacturer 161, 180–1, 188–9, 194, 200, 203, 209, 210, 292

medical care see medical liability, English law

tort of negligence

omissions 341, 348

physical damage 180, 181–3

privity of contract 161, 184

products 161, 163–4, 181, 184–6

psychiatric injury 161–2, 342, 298–9

public utilities 277

pure economic loss 161, 179, 180, 183–6, 337, 341–2, 350–2

remoteness of damage 183, 193

sale of goods, comparisons with liability 241, 246–7, 264

suppliers of goods and services 276–9

transport of passengers 281–4

non-cumul des responsabilités contractuelle et délictuelle 27–9, 50, 96, 144, 156–7, 540, 549

nuisance, private see private nuisance

nuisance, public see public nuisance

obligation de conformité see sale, French law, obligation de conformité

obligation de délivrance see sale, French law, obligation de délivrance

obligation de garantie 89, 93

obligation de moyens 22, 28, 67, 142–3, 145 n. 107, 274, 535, 541, 633, 634, 639

obligation de résultat 22, 28, 89, 137, 138, 143, 144, 149, 150, 153, 274, 321, 633, 634

obligation de résultat atténuée 28

obligation de sécurité 22, 28, 61, 72, 79, 94, 100, 111, 138, 117, 140–1, 142, 150, 285, 321, 455–6, 534, 540, 563

obligation d’information 22

see also sale, French law, obligation d’information

obligations in solidum see ‘solidary liability’

obligations in solidum

occupiers’ liability (English law) 163, 182–3, 197

ordre administratif 19

ordre judiciaire 19

ouvrage public see ‘public works’,ouvrage public

partie civile 37, 51, 202, 367, 374, 376, 377, 380–7, 393–7

patterns of liability Chap. 19

Pearson Commission 465

personal injuries and death

English law

breach of statutory duty, tort of 218–24

damages for and third party payments 175–8

Defective Premises Act 1972 275

public nuisance 224–5

tort of negligence 163, 179–80, 181

French law

contractual liability 23

see also obligation de sécurité

‘deeds of things’ 26, 52 et seq.

delictual liability for 24

hire of property 110

insurance, and 35–6, 44, 142, 151–4, 458

seller’s liability 67–8, 72, 85, 88

Product Liability Directive 434, 502, 503

see also motor vehicle accidents, liability for; work accidents

(p.680) pharmaceutical, liability for harm caused by

English law 291–2, 294–9

French law 147–8, 454

police administrative 307, 312, 323

police judiciaire 19

precedent

English law 192–3, 207, 338, 641–3

French law see jurisprudence

premises

English law

defective 163, 183

occupiers’ liability 163, 182–3, 197

French law

ouvrage public 122–4, 125, 127–8, 134–5, 141 n. 72, 545

private law 52–9, 544–5

Product Liability Directive 525–7

prescription/limitation of actions

English law

administrative liability 332

contribution claims 561

generally sale of goods 256–7, 265, 528

French law

administrative law 35, 133 n. 8

bref délai (garantie légale in sale) 35, 71, 91–3, 98, 229, 453, 527, 533

commercial contracts 34

construction 105

general rule for contracts (private law) 34, 528

general rule for delict (private law) 34, 528

medical liability 152

prescription quadriennale 133 n. 8, 320–2, 326, 329

Product Liability Directive 434, 439, 527–8

English law 471, 528

European Convention 434

French law 532

prescription of rights, see prescription/limitation of actions

Principles of European Contract Law 2

private law

English law, hazy sense of category 269–70, 340–1

French law

sale see sale, French law

services see services, French private law

see also delictual liability; public law/private law

private nuisance 159, 163, 166 n. 87, 183, 197, 201 n. 194, 224, 279

procedural autonomy, principle of 605

Product Liability Directive 1, 4, 6–7, 12–13, Chaps. 16, 17, 18

‘autonomous interpretations’ 437, 503–4, 508, 511, 524

burdens of proof 437, 446, 449–50, 482–3, 509, 512, 514–15

causation 446, 449, 509–14

burden of proof 509, 512

English law 473

French law 463, 512–13

presumption of causation 512

remoteness of damage 473

see also Product Liability Directive, contributory negligence defence; Product Liability Directive, joint and several liability

ceiling on liability, overall 436, 446, 458, 505

choice of law 438

claimants 433, 502

competence for 435–40, 443, 450

‘completely harmonised’ nature of 11, 13–14, 431, 440–1, 443, 459, 475, 494, 507, 512, 531, 536, 537, 545, 555, 566, 567

compromises 435, 436, 446, 447

Consumer Guarantees Directive

comparisons 566–73, 631–4

‘defect’/’quality and performance’ 600

integration, problems of 572–3, 631–2

parentage 568–72

‘product’/ ‘consumer goods’ 477

purposes 567–8

remedial consequences 572

implementation, relation of 444, 464, 468–9, 507, 533, 566, 572, 631–2, 662–3

contributory negligence defence 434, 436, 510–11

English law 471, 510

French law 510

creation 431–40

‘damage’ 502–8

‘consumer property’, damage to 434, 438, 460, 502, 507–8

dommage moral 508

English law 460, 503

European Convention, compared 434

French law 472, 503

‘full and proper compensation’ 504–5

non-material damage 437, 502, 503, 507–8

pain and suffering 472, 505, 507

personal injuries and death 434, 502, 503

product itself, to 470, 502, 506

psychiatric injury/mental damage 446, 472, 507–8

pure economic loss 506–7

threshold of liability 434, 446, 460

damages, assessment of 437

‘defect’ 223, 435, 446, 481–94, 631

‘all the circumstances’ 435

burden of proof 482–3

development risks defence, relation to 488, 501

English law 468, 485–94, 553–4, 639

(p.681) European Convention, compared 434

European Court’s likely position 492–4

fault, liability without? 483–4, 485–94, 501, 554–5, 638–40

French law 482–4, 492

legitimate expectation test 434, 438, 478, 481, 487–8, 600, 639

presentation of the product 479, 483, 491

price, relevance of 492–3

public nature of supply, relevance of 491

standard/non-standard products 488–9, 491

time of assessment 435, 489, 520–1

time of existence 482

defences 439, 498, 514–24

burden of proof 514, 515

compliance with mandatory regulation 435, 491, 522

component manufacturer, special defence for 435, 514, 521

producer not ‘in course of business’, etc. 515–17, 518

product not defective when put into

circulation 482–3

product not put into circulation 482, 517–19, 520–1, 522–3

see also Product Liability Directive

contributory negligence defence;

Product Liability Directive,

development risks defence

defendants 433, 514–27

charitable 516–17

component manufacturer 433, 514, 521

‘course of business’ 515–17, 518

importer (EC) 515, 520, 522, 523

manufacturer 432, 514, 515, 521, 522

‘own-brander’ 433, 522, 523

public 491, 515–17, 518, 519–20, 651

recourse by 436

‘represents as producer’ 514, 519, 522

‘supplier’ (mere) 433, 522–7, 531, 537

English law 481, 524, 554–5

French law 458–9, 523, 524

development risks defence 435–8, 495–502, 644

Commission v United Kingdom 495–9

‘defect’ relation to 488, 501

defendants, different effects 522–3

English law 466–8, 470, 495–502

fault, relation to 495–502

French law 453, 454–5, 457–8, 465, 494–5, 501–2

insurance and 500

‘knowledge’ 494, 497–9, 500

effectiveness, principle of 504–5, 508, 512–14, 524, 644

European Convention, relationship to 432–5, 437, 523

European Court’s decisions of 2002 431, 436, 440–4, 448, 451, 457, 459, 461, 474–5, 492–3

European Court’s interpretation 431, 440–4, 494, 503–8, 512, 515–20

exclusion of liability 434, 515

‘fair apportionment of risks’ 439, 497, 512, 515

foreclosure period 434, 446, 528–9

English law 529

French law 459, 520, 529

harmonisation of laws, and 1, 4, 7, 436–9, 441, 443, 446, 449, 517

‘complete harmonisation’ 11, 13–14, 431, 440–1, 443, 459, 475, 494, 507, 512, 567, 647, 654, 661, 663–4

qualifications in Directive 436, 441, 659

references to national law 436–7, 502–8, 509, 659

implementation

coherence, problems of 444

Consumer Guarantees Directive,

relation of 444, 464, 507, 533, 566, 572, 631–2, 662–3

English law 465–75, 503, 655–6

common law, relation to 472–3, 655–6

Consumer Protection Act 1987 467–73

see also Consumer Protection Act 1987, product liability

consumer safety and civil liability 474–5

development risks defence 466–8, 470, 495–502

existing bases of liability 473

form 468–74

incidents of new liability 471–2

insurance 467–8

political context 466

practical impact 465–8, 486–501, 553–7, 553–63

French law 450–65, 657

administrative liability 454, 457, 519–20, 536–7, 541–2

affaire du sang contaminé, influence of 450, 454–5, 458, 657

Civil Code 454–5, 460–1, 465

construction, law of 460, 480

contagious effect 444, 465, 538, 657

‘deeds of things’, relation to 456, 459, 527, 539–41, 543–4, 563–4

development risks defence 453–5, 459–60, 657

European Court’s decision 451

Ghestin projet 452–5, 657

inconsistencies, remaining 480, 512–13, 519, 520

‘judicial implementation’ 22, 76, 148, 444, 450–1, 455–7, 461–2

loi of 1998 457–61

(p.682) see also loi of 2004 459, 460, 658

see also loi of 1998

obligation de suivi 459, 462

practical impact 531–55

réparation intégrale 460

insurance, effect on 448

joint and several liability 434, 438, 509–10, 660–1

contribution 509

English law 471

French law 509–10

recourse 509–10

negligence, tort of, comparison 465–8, 486–501, 553–7, 553–63

occupier of premises 525–7

‘other grounds of liability’ 437–8, 442, 443, 475, 657, 658

article 13 437–8, 440, 441–2, 473, 475

English law 444, 553–6

French law 451–2, 461–5, 531–8

patterns of liability, effect on Chap. 18

prescription/limitation periods 434, 439, 527–8

English law 471, 528

European Convention 434

French law 532

‘producer’ 433, 514–22 and see Product Liability Directive, defendants

‘product’ 433, 476–81, 521

components 433, 514, 521

electricity 476, 478–9

English law, implementation in 467, 478, 480, 481

French law, implementation in 458, 480

gas 478–9, 521

immovable, incorporated into 433, 476, 479–80

‘intellectual products’ 477–8

movable 433, 476–7

primary agricultural products 433, 436, 446, 458, 476–7

public services 491, 515–17, 518, 519–20, 651

raw materials 521

software 477

water 479

purposes of

channelling of liability 523, 546, 549, 550–1, 564, 660–1

Consumer Guarantees Directive, compared 567–8

consumer protection 432, 436, 438, 448, 517, 520, 523, 525, 538, 563–4

economic 436, 438, 441, 448, 507, 564, 660–1

harmonisation of laws see Product Liability Directive, harmonisation of laws

‘putting into circulation’ 435, 458, 517–21, 526–7, 529

recourse 436

see also recourse claims

reform 443, 444–50

review by EC 444–50

services, supply of 477–8, 517–19

Spanish law, implementation in 440, 442–3

strict liability 432, 434, 438, 454, 479, 523

see also Product Liability Directive, ‘defect’

‘supply’ 518, 525–7

see also Product Liability Directive, defendants, ‘supplier’; Product Liability Directive, development risks defence

transport 518–19, 527

U.S. law, influence of 431–2, 435, 447, 496

product, types of see blood; food, liability for and safety of; human growth hormone; pharmaceuticals, liability for harm caused by Product Liability Directive, ‘product’

property, damage to,

English law

common carrier 282

Defective Premises Act 275

public nuisance 382

tort of negligence 159, 161, 179, 181–3, 184, 191, 351–4

French law

administrative law 32, 125

delictual fault 24

sale 68, 85, 112

Product Liability Directive 434, 438, 460, 502, 507–8

psychiatric injury

English law 161–2, 298–9, 342

French law 24

Product Liability Directive 446, 472, 507–8

public bodies/private bodies

French law 133

entreprise public 133 n. 5

établissement public 132, 133, 134 n. 11, 136, 140 n. 68

ordres professionnels 135 n. 22

Product Liability Directive 491, 515–17, 518, 519–20

public contracts

comparisons between English and French law 172

English law 169–72, 270, 333

administrative law 169–170

byelaws 170

capacity 170

employment 171

public procurement 170

standard terms 170

French law

administrative law of 20, 33

concession contracts 135, 137, 140 n. 67

see also public services

(p.683) public law/private law Chap. 7, Chap. 11, 648–54

English law 269–70, 340–1, 650–1

administrative liability 335, 337, 347

contracts 169–72

housing 171–2

joint and several liability 172–3

torts 166–9

French law 19–20, 648–50

jurisdictional division 19, 60, 121, 133, 136, 143, 153, 319, 320, 648–9

private person’s administrative liability 121, 130

public servant’s liability in private law 115

see also public bodies/private bodies; public services

public nuisance

civil liability 163, 224–5, 277, 279

criminal liability 414–16, 426–7

public services Chaps. 7, 11

comparisons between English law and French law 267–70

English law

common carriers 267–8, 281–2

health, see medical liability

innkeepers 267–8

public utilities 171, 276–80

see also transport, liability of carrier

French law

health see medical liability

public utilities 136–9

transport 139–41

significance of words 132–3, 267, 279

see also service public; services, liability for

public utilities

comparisons between English and French law 279–80, 650

English law 171, 276–80

contracts 276–7

negligence, tort of 277

statutory duties 276–7

French law 136–9

‘public works’ (travaux publics) 31, 31–2, 121–31, 635, 649–50

bases of liability 121, 124–9

contributory fault 126, 127, 128

defendants 129–31

distinctive nature 121

entrepreneur 121, 129–31

fait d’un tiers 125, 126, 128, 324

force majeure 126, 128

loi of 1998 541–2, 545–6

ouvrage public 122–4, 125, 127–8, 134–5, 141 n. 72

participant 125–6

public roads 127

recourse claims 126, 128, 129

service public 121 n. 75, 123–4, 138

‘solidary liability’ 129–31

strict liability 126–8

terminology 122, 124

third party to 128

travail public 122–3

travaux publics 121, 122

user 126–7

pure economic loss

English law

breach of statutory duty 219, 221, 277

negligence, tort of 161, 179, 180, 183–6, 337, 341–2, 350–2

public nuisance 224 n. 381

public utilities 277–8

sale of goods 227

French law

generally 24, 52, 185–6

Product Liability Directive 470, 502, 506–7

rachat 80

recoupment claims (by ‘third party payers’)

English law 175–8

French law 38, 367 n. 4

recourse claims 9–10

English law

contribution 173 n. 145, 347–8, 353–4, 558–61

indemnity (sale of goods) 158, 248, 249–50, 256, 264–6, 558–9

French law

action récursoire 129, 548

action subrogatoire 130 n. 143

administrative law 305, 311, 326–30

appel en garantie 129, 548

contribution 547–8

indemnity claims (sale) 68, 74, 86, 88, 92, 96–7

loi of 1998 549–53

recours en garantie 130 n. 143

Product Liability Directive, significance for 550–3, 561–3, 660–1

réparation intégrale, principle of 24, 85, 460, 472, 506, 657

résolution 66, 71, 77, 79, 81–4

responsabilité du fait d’autrui, see delictual liability, another’s actions, for

risk, as the basis of liability see strict liability; French law

road accidents see motor vehicle accidents, liability for

Roman law

English law

bailment 187

carriage of goods 280

French law

aedilitian remedies 69, 79

animals 26

contract 21, 157

(p.684) delict 23, 24

dol and erreur 64, 230

hire 99

nominate contracts 22

ruinous buildings 26

sale 69, 79

Rylands v Fletcher 162–3, 479, 637–8

sale

comparisons between English and French law 226–31, 240, 242–5, 247, 248, 251, 255, 257–60, 262–3, 265–6

English law Chap. 10

caveat emptor 226, 229, 232

Consumer Guarantees Directive 583–8, 627–8

see also Consumer Guarantees Directive

disunity of law of sale 227

duty of disclosure 229

goods, liability of seller Chap. 10, 283

causation 248–50

commercial sales 233, 235, 237, 243, 252, 253–4, 261–3

comparisons with tort of negligence 241, 246–7, 264

consumer sales 233–4, 237, 238, 243, 253, 261–3

contributory negligence 248–50

‘course of business’ 234, 236–7, 240, 257–8, 261–2

‘dealing as consumer’ 253–4, 261–3, 265

defences 247–50

exemption clauses 260–3, 623–4

express terms 230, 233–4, 258, 261, 592, 593

fitness for purpose 229, 234, 239–42

‘goods’ 228

hidden defect 244–5

indemnity claims 248, 249–50, 256, 264–6, 625–7

joint and several liability 248

manufacturer 265, 625

manufacturers’ guarantees 264–5, 625

merchantable quality 229, 232, 235–6, 239, 240, 246, 249

misrepresentation 229, 230, 259, 261

mistake 229, 230–1

privity of contract 227, 264–5

pure economic loss 227

reform 232, 236

remedies; acceptance 251–4, 257, 258–9;

affirmation 252;

comparisons with French law 257–60;

Consumer Guarantees Directive 571, 587, 604, 605, 614–16, 631–2;

damages 229, 251, 255–7;

hierarchy 258–60;

limitation of actions 256–7, 265;

mitigation of damage 249, 255–6;

rejection and rescission 229, 250–4;

restitution 254–5

safety 227, 239, 240, 241–2, 256

sale by description 234–5

satisfactory quality 229, 234, 237–9, 246

statutory implied terms 226, 229, 232–45, 265, 271, 273, 594–604, 637

strict liability 245–7

good faith 231

jury 235

land 226, 228, 274

French law, liability of seller Chap. 4

action directe 96–8

action estimatoire 79

action récursoire 96–8

action rédhibitoire 79

bases of liability

‘contractual non-conformity’ (consumer sales of goods) 580–1, 592, 594–5, 596, 599, 601–4

dol 63, 64, 65, 69, 94, 229

garantie légale 63, 69–77, 229, 247, 321

obligation de conformité 63, 70, 73, 79, 229, 321

obligation de sécurité 63, 69, 72, 79, 94, 229, 247, 451

obligation d’information 63, 64–9, 74, 76, 79, 94, 229–32, 247, 639

bref délai 35, 71, 91–3, 98, 229, 453, 527, 533, 583, 628

abolition of 91, 583, 628

juges du fond, and 91, 92

length of 92

starting point 91–2

buyer’s rights in respect of defects 79–86

actions directes 96–8

damages 84–6, 255

exception d’inexécution 82

exécution en nature 79

laissé pour compte 81

price reduction 81–3

rachat 80

repair 79–81

replacement 79–81

restitution of price 70

termination of contract by buyer 70, 81–4

see also sale, French law, résolution

causation of harm by defect 86–91

Consumer Guarantees Directive 573–83, 627–8

see also Consumer Guarantees Directive, French law

contributory fault of buyer 67, 77, 87–8

défaut de conformité 73, 77

see also sale, French law, ‘defect’

(p.685) ‘defect’ 73–9, 243, 580–1

burden of proof 78

causation of harm 86–91

decision-making 78–9

hidden nature of 76–7

juges du fond, role of 75, 76

seriousness of 75–6

types of 73–5

defences to liability

contractual exclusion 93–5

contributory fault of buyer 67, 77, 87–8, 248–9

force majeure 87, 89–91, 247–8

delictual liability, pre-contractual 66

development risks 89–90, 248, 494–5

dol 63, 64, 65, 69, 94, 229

dol par réticence 65, 69

droit commun contractuel, seller’s liability under 69, 70, 77

erreur 63, 64, 229

exemption clauses 93–5

faute de la victime see contributory fault

defence

faute lourde 94, 263

force majeure, see sale, French law, defences to liability

garantie légale 63, 69–77, 229, 247, 321, 462, 634

guarantees, contractual 98

indemnity claims 68, 74, 86, 88, 92, 96–7, 632

manufacturer’s liability 65–8, 73–4, 85, 89, 90–1, 95–8

manufacturers’ guarantees 98

‘non-conformity’ of property see sale, French law, obligation de conformité

obligation de conformité 63, 70, 73, 79, 229, 321, 462

obligation de délivrance 66, 71 n. 86.

obligation de sécurité 63, 69, 72, 79, 94, 229, 247, 451, 455–6, 462

obligation d’information 63, 64–9, 74, 76, 79, 94, 229–32, 247, 463

pharmaceuticals 147–8

‘property’ 70

public utilities 137

reform 452–5, 574–83, 602–3, 627–8

remedies in respect of defects, see temsale, French law

buyer’s rights

res extra commercium 70, 149

résolution 66, 71, 77, 79, 81–4

restitution of price 70

Roman law 69, 79

strict liability 84–91

termination of contract by buyer 70

see résolution

vendeur professionnel 5, 66–7, 68, 84–6, 89, 94, 97, 515

vice, see sale, French law, ‘defect’

Second Restatement of Torts 431

service public 19, 33, 133–7, 139, 267–8, 279, 307, 324, 649

contrôleurs technique 107–8

health 135, 141–2

lois de Rolland 133, 267

public sector housing 135–6

public utilities 136–9

transport 139

see also service public administratif; service public industriel et commercial service public administratif 117 n. 35, 134–6, 139, 649

liability for 135

public hospitals 135

‘user’ of 126 n. 113, 134–5

service public industriel et commercial 118, 126 n. 113, 134–40, 64

service régalien 134

services, liability for

English law

comparisons with French private law 274

contract 269–74

contracts for transfer of goods 273, 278, 291–2

contracts for work and materials 271–4

exemption clause 271

implied terms 271–4

negligence, tort of 272

personal injuries and death 271

privity of contract 274, 279

French private law

advisers 102–3, 107

architects 104

carriage of persons 140–1

certifier of product 103

comparisons with English law 274

contrat d’entreprise 99

designer 102–3, 104

generally 100–8

hairdresser 100

installers 101 n. 13

medical care 142–3, 144, 145, 152

pharmacists 145 n. 107

repairer 101–2

restaurant 100

Product Liability Directive 477–8, 517–19

see also construction, liability for; public services

social security 38, 177–8

société anonyme 133, 135

solidarité see ‘solidary liability’

‘solidary liability’

English law, see joint and several liability

French law 33–4, 323–4, 546–8

(p.686) administrative liability 34, 129, 305, 323–4

comparisons with English law 172–3, 560–1, 564

construction 108

contribution 547–9

droit de poursuite du créancier 34, 546–7

obligation in solidum 96, 456, 546, 547

private law 34, 546–8

‘public works’ 129–31

solidarité 546–7

solidarité imparfaite 34

statutes (English law)

exceptional nature 333, 337, 469, 642, 655

interpretation 642

source of administrative power 333

statutory duty, tort of breach of 159, 163, 219–24, 277

administrative liability 168, 335, 337, 347

consumer safety 474–5

Parliamentary intention 219

pure economic loss 220

safety of products 221–3

tort of negligence, relation to 186, 190–1, 203–5, 220

work accidents 219, 221

stipulation pour autrui 140, 150

strict liability

English law

administrative law, absence of 169

carrier 281–4

common carrier 281–2

insurance 175

medical products 287, 291–2

negligence distinguished 188, 191

Rylands v Fletcher 162–3

sale of goods 245–7

statutory duty, tort of breach of 220–1

supply of goods and services 272–3

transfer of goods 273

vicarious liability 165–6, 285, 286, 289, 290–1, 300

fault, distinguished 632–40

French law

administrative law 32, 117–121

‘public works’ 126–8

French private law

‘deeds of things’ 53–9

obligation de résultat 22, 28, 89, 137, 138, 149, 150

sale 84–91

medical 143, 144, 146, 149–51, 152–3

see also fault; Product Liability Directive, ‘defect’

substantive law and legal process, distinction 643–5

suppliers of products

English law 195, 198, 221, 224–5, 270–4

French private law 100

Product Liability Directive 477–8, 517–19

see also hire of property; medical products, liability for; sale

Thalidomide 437, 466, 467, 532, 568

things, liability for the deeds of, see ‘deeds of things’, liability for

tort of negligence see negligence, tort of

torts, law of

crimes, relationship to see criminal law, civil liability and, English law

English law

breach of statutory duty see statutory duty, tort of breach of

economic torts 179

fault 159

negligence see negligence, tort of

Rylands v Fletcher 162–3, 479, 637–8

unifying principle, lack of 159

see also occupiers’ liability; private nuisance; public nuisance

French law see administrative liability, French law; delictual liability

transport, liability of carrier

comparisons between English and French law 285–6

English law 272–3, 280–5

Consumer Protection Act 1987 557

goods 280

implied terms 283–5

National Rail Conditions of Carriage 285

passengers 281–5

rail 281, 284–5

special legislation 281

unfair contract terms 285

vicarious liability 284–5

French law 134 n. 13, 139–41, 544

Product Liability Directive 518–19, 527

travail public see ‘public works,’ travail public

travaux publics see ‘public works,’ travaux publics

tribunal correctionnel 369

tribunal de police 369

tromperie 369, 370–1, 381, 383, 395–7

unfair contract terms

English law 260–2, 588–9

French law 93–5, 262–3

Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Directive 1, 261, 441–4, 493, 589, 594, 619

vendeur professionnel see sale, French law, vendeur professionnel

vicarious liability

English law 164–5, 181–2, 284–5, 165–6, 285–5, 286, 289, 290–1, 300

French law 24–6, 31–2

(p.687) victim of crime

compensation orders (English law) 403, 404, 413–14, 419, 424–7

partie civile 202, 367, 374, 376, 377, 380–7, 393–4

special compensation schemes 367 n. 4, 403 n. 2

Vienna Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods of 1980 453, 569–70, 578, 592, 593, 657

violence, see contracts, French law, violence

volenti non fit injuria 219, 220

warnings, product

English law

sale of goods 236, 239, 242

tort of negligence 181, 292

French law

delictual fault 68

garantie légale in sale 73–4

obligations d’information 67–9

pharmaceuticals 147 n. 127

Product Liability Directive 479, 483, 491

water, liability for

Consumer Guarantees Directive 589–90

English law 278–9

breach of statutory duty, tort of 222, 277

‘Camelford water’ affair 224–5, 277, 415, 423

French law 136–8, 376

Product Liability Directive 479

work accidents

English law

Consumer Protection Act 1987 554–5

employer’s liability 181–2, 190–1, 219, 221, 222

safety regulation 335

French law

criminal prosecution 382

system of compensation for 61–2, 125 (p.688)