La théorie générale du contrat : mythe ou réalité ?
Institution:
Paris 1Disciplines:
Directors:
Abstract EN:
The french law schools jurists use the words "general theory of contract" to describe the rules of positive law that are applicable to all agreements, when they do so, they actually mistake the general theory for the commonlaqw of contracts and confer upon the former a positivity which is illusory. Indeed, the analysis of the applicatioin of the theory by the same jurists shows that the general theory actually refers to one actvity of texte authorities aiming permanently at finding the nature of the deed. It also refers to the result of this activity. That is to say a scholarly common law which is a coherent set of rules emanating from a a principle related to the nature of the deed. The positivity of the general theory of contract which is usually acknowledged is therefore a myth. Its existence partakes of the whish to create an objective legal science and is also linked to teaching purposes. Moreover, its enables the text authorities to transform law while remaining seemingly respectful of the decisions made by the institutional powers.
Abstract FR:
Les juristes universitaires francais utilisent la formule "theorie generale du contrat" pour decrire les regles de droit positif applicables a l'ensemble des conventions. Ce faisant, ils confondent la theorie generale et le droit commun des contrats et dotent la premiere d'une positivite qui n'est qu'une illusion. L'analyse de la pratique des memes juristes demontre en effet que la theorie generale designe en fait une activite de la doctrine a la recherche permanente de l'essence de l'acte, et le produit de cette activite, c'est-a-dire un droit commun savant, ensemble coherent de regles inspirees d'un principe lie a l'essence de l'acte. La positivite ordinairement reconnue a la theorie generale du contrat est donc un mythe. Son existence parait liee au desir de constituer une science du droit objective et aux besoins de l'enseignement. Elle permet aussi a la doctrine d'oeuvrer plus efficacement a la transformation du droit a l'abri d'un apparent respect des decisions des autorites institutionnellement habilitees a dire le droit.