Judicial Interpretation of Commercial Contracts in English and French Law: A Comparative Perspective

Abstract

In this paper, I consider whether the recent overhaul of French contract law via ordonnance No 2016-131 of 10 February 2016 has changed the principles of judicial interpretation of commercial contracts, and how these compare with the principles in English law. One of the questions I ask is whether the traditional dichotomy between the French subjective approach and the English objective one has been altered now that the objective principle of interpretation has been incorporated in the Code civil. I explore how both jurisdictions deal with the main aspects of judicial interpretation, such as the nature of the interpretative question and the purpose and scope of contractual interpretation. Similarities emerge that show a rapprochement between these judicial approaches. Naturally, differences persist, which reflect distinct contract law values embedded in each legal order. Even if the ordonnance No 2016-131 has only introduced in appearance small changes to the provisions relating to interpretation, French courts now have the interpretative tools to follow in the footsteps of English courts when interpreting professionally drafted commercial contracts. An emerging coalescence around an objective literal interpretation in a sophisticated business setting is to be welcomed as it enhances commercial certainty across borders. Contractual interpretation, commercial contracts, principles of interpretation, subjective interpretation, objective interpretation, contextualism, textualism, English contract law, French contract law