Introduction to French Labour Law

Social Law – Labour Law (Session 1) Revision Sheet

1. 📌 Essentials

• French legal system is based on civil law, primarily written codes.
• Labour Law mainly falls under Private Law, but has hybrid features.
• Two main court systems: (Private Law) and Administrative (Public Law).
• Labour Code (recodified in 2008) is the primary legal source for employment relations.
• International laws (ILO, ECHR, EU Law) influence national labour law.
• Collective agreements can be industry, professional, or company-specific.
• Labour tribunals (Conseil de prud’hommes) resolve employment disputes with parity and oral procedures.
• Recent reforms (2016-2017) shifted towards company-level negotiations.
• Labour inspection, created in 1892, oversees compliance and advises employers.
• Court of Cassation (Social Chamber) harmonizes case law and interprets legal principles.

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