In French law, judges cannot create legal norms, because of the principle known as "" of Article 5 of the French civil code: "Judges are forbidden from pronouncing in a generally dispositive and regulatory fashion on the matters submitted to them." They can only put into evidence and interpret existing norms. This general principle underlies the state of existing law, which is merely uncovered by the judge.

The general principles of law, are rules of universal scope which: apply even when unwritten; are uncovered through case law; are not created but "discovered" by the judge, based on the state of law and society at a given point in time.Fiches d'orientation: Principe général du droit - Mai 2022 Dalloz, May 2022

The Court of Justice of the European Union also recognizes general principles of law in European Union law. In international law, "general principles of law recognized by civilized nations" are considered a source of law under Article 38.1 (c) of the statute governing the International Court of Justice.

Traditionally, the general principles of law have a very minor role in civil law, which is essentially codified, and a much larger role in administrative law, which is largely based on case law, since for a very long time, very few texts of general scope covered all, or even most, administrative activities.

These general principles, and particularly their judicial interpretation, have been debated in legal theory. The expression "general principles of law" was consecrated after the Liberation of France by an arrêtCE, Ass, 26 October 1945, Aramu et autres about the rights of defendants. () The Tribunal des conflits cited this principle, in its decision of 8 February 1873, titled Dugave et Bransiet.

Fundamental rules on the rights of citizens Principles based on liberty Freedom of commerce and of industry: ()Conseil d'Etat, Ass. (Conseil d'État en banc), 22 June 1951, Conseil d'Etat Sect. (Conseil d'Etat en , 13 May 1994, Président de l'Assemblée territoriale de la Polynésie Française.See also loi d'Allarde

Principles based on equality Equality of users under public servicesConseil d'État, Sect, 9 March 1951, Société des concerts du conservatoire, Recueil Lebon. p. 151, GAJA (Grands arrêts de la jurisprudence administrative) number 67Conseil d'Etat, Ass., 25 June 1948, Société du Journal l'Aurore, Leb. p. 289, GAJA number 62Conseil d'Etat, 1974, Denoyez et Chorques Equality under tax lawRevue générale du droit, 'Conseil d’Etat, Assemblée, 7 février 1958, Syndicat des propriétaires de forêts de chênes-lièges d’Algérie et autres, requête numéro 39269, rec. p. 74, ' : Revue générale du droit on line, 1958, numéro 17174 (www.revuegeneraledudroit.eu/?p=17174)Conseil d'Etat 22 February 1974, Association des maires de France: Dalloz 1974 p. 520 Equality in public paymentsConseil d'Etat 7 February 1958 [Syndicat des propriétaires de chêne-liège d'Algérie: AJDA 1958 II p. 130*Conseil d’Etat, Assemblée, 7 February 1958, Syndicat des propriétaires de forêts de chênes-lièges d’Algérie et autres, requête numéro 39269, rec. p. 74 Revue générale du droit, 'Conseil d’Etat, Assemblée, 7 February 1958, Syndicat des propriétaires de forêts de chênes-lièges d’Algérie et autres], requête numéro 39269, rec. p. 74 Revue générale du droit on line, 1958, numéro 17174 (www.revuegeneraledudroit.eu/?p=17174 Equal access of citizens to public employmentCE, Ass, 28 May 1954, Barel et autres, Rec. (Recueil des arrêts du Conseil d'Etat p. 308 concl. Letourneur, GAJA (grands arrêts de la jurisprudence administrative) n° 77Conseil d'Etat, 9 November 1966, Commune de Clohars-Carnoët Equal treatment for officials of the same agencyConseil d'État, Ass., 21 July 1972}, ,Conseil Constitutionnel: Décision n° 76-67 DC of 15 July 1976, Décision n° 82-153 DC of 14 January 1983, Décision n° 84-179 DC of 12 September 1984, Décision n° 87-229 DC of 22 July 1987. Equality under the judicial systemConseil constitutionnel, décision n° 75-56 DC of 23 July 1975

Extradition law The Conseil d'État has brought out a number of principles on this topic: No extraditions of political refugeesCE Ass. 1 April 1988, Bereciartua-EcharriLe Conseil d’Etat et la protection des droits fondamentaux Par Jean-Marc Sauvé, Vice-président du Conseil d'État, 27 October 2016 No extraditions for political reasonsCE Ass., 3 July 1996 Koné Here the Conseil d'Etat is not recognizing a general principle of law but one of the fundamental principles recognized by the laws of the Republic No extradition that would have grave consequences, notably due to age and healthCE 13 October 2000 Kozirev No extraditions if the requesting state's legal system does not recognize fundamental rights and freedomsCE, 26 September 1984 | Lujambio Galdeano No extraditions if the requesting state can impose a death penalty and has not guaranteed that it will refrain from doing soCE, 27 February 1987, Fidan

Procedural rules Rules of judicial administrative procedure Defendant rights in administrative matters ()CE, Sect., 5 May 1944, Dame Veuve Trompier Gravier, Leb. p. 133, GAJA n° 58Ass., 26 October 1945, Aramu, Leb. p. 21 in penal lawCE, Ass., 19 October 1962, Canal, Robin et Godot, Leb. p. 552, GAJA n° 88 This principle has been recognized by the French Constutitional Council () as among the fundamental principles recognized by the laws of the Republic, in criminalConseil Constitutionnel, Dec. number 76-70 DC of 2 December 1976, Rec. p. 39 as well as in administrative law.CC, déc. number 7783 DC of 20 July 1977, Rec. p. 39 All administrative actions are subject to appeal (Conseil d'Etat, Ass, 17 February 1950, Ministre de l'agriculture c. Dame Lamotte, Leb. p. 110, GAJA number 67) Proceedings in the judicial system must be held in publicCE, Ass., 4 October 1974, Dame David, Leb. p. 464 concl. M. Gentot

Rules of unlitigated administrative procedure Administrative rules must be published.Conseil d'etat, 12 December 2003, Syndicat des commissaires et hauts fonctionnaires de la police nationale Administrative actions must not be retroactive. (Conseil d'Etat, Ass, 25 June 1948, Société du Journal l'Aurore, Leb. p. 289, GAJA number 64)

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