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.
In European Union law, the Court of Justice of the European Union also recognizes general principles of 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 followinh the Liberation of France by an arrêt: CE, Ass, 26 October 1945, Aramu et autres (about the ) The Tribunal des conflits cited this legislation first, 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: ()
Principles based on equality
Equality of users under public services
Equality under tax law
Equality in public payments
Equal access of citizens to public employment
Equal treatment for officials of the same agency
Equality under the judicial system
Extradition law
The Conseil d'État has brought out a number of principles on this topic: No extraditions of political refugees No extraditions for political reasons 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 health No extraditions if the requesting state's legal system does not recognize fundamental rights and freedoms No extraditions if the requesting state can impose a death penalty and has not guaranteed that it will refrain from doing so
Procedural rules
Rules of judicial administrative procedure
Droits de la défense en matière administrative (Defense rights in administrative matters) in penal law This principle has been recognized by the Conseil constitutionnel as among the fundamental principles recognized by the laws of the Republic, in criminal as in administrative law All administrative actions are subject to appeal () Proceedings in the judicial system must be held in public
Rules of unlitigated administrative procedure
Administrative rules must be published. Administrative actions must not be retroactive. ()