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Droit Immobilier

The infringement of the presumption

📅 Décision du 29 April 1998⚖️ Cour de cassation📖 2 min de lecture

The infringement of the presumption of innocence, for which Article 9-1 of the Civil Code provides protection, consists in publicly presenting as guilty, before conviction, a person who is subject to criminal prosecution.

Reference decision: cc • No. 94-17.486 • 1998-04-29 • View the decision →

This decision provides important insight into your property law. Here is what it changes for you.

The situation

The infringement of the presumption of innocence, for which Article 9-1 of the Civil Code provides protection, consists in publicly presenting as guilty, before conviction, a person who is subject to criminal prosecution.

What the law says

This decision confirms the fundamental principles of property law.

Key points to remember

  • Scrupulously observe the legal time limits for appeal
  • Keep all your supporting documents (titles, deeds, correspondence)
  • Anticipate: preventive advice is always cheaper than litigation

For an analysis of your situation: 30-minute consultation at €45 with Maître Zakine.

📌 Does this apply to your situation? Maître Cécile Zakine, French real estate lawyer, practises throughout France.
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Informations juridiques

  • Numéro: 94-17.486
  • Juridiction: Cour de cassation
  • Date de décision: 29 avril 1998

Mots-clés

droit immobilierjurisprudenceimmobilier

Cas d'usage pratiques

1

Landlord falsely accused on social media

Martine, a landlord in Lyon, rented her flat for €1,200/month to a tenant for three years. After a dispute over a repair, the tenant posted on Facebook accusing Martine of 'illegal eviction' and 'harassment', without any court conviction. Since then, six other tenants have cancelled viewings.

Application pratique:

This case law protects Martine's presumption of innocence under Article 9-1 of the Civil Code. She should take screenshots of all posts and send a formal cease-and-desist letter to the tenant demanding removal and retraction. If the tenant refuses, Martine can sue for damages for public presumption of guilt. She must also keep all repair invoices and correspondence, and be mindful of the strict 3-month appeal deadline if any court decision arises.

2

Co-owner wrongly named as bad debtor

In a Parisian co-ownership (11th arrondissement), the syndic sent a letter to all owners declaring that Pierre, a co-owner, is a 'bad payer' who owes €2,800 in unpaid charges. Pierre actually disputed the amount and had filed a complaint, but no court had ruled against him. The syndic's letter damaged his standing and caused a neighbour to refuse to sign a shared wall repair agreement.

Application pratique:

Pierre can invoke this decision to stop the syndic from publicly labelling him as guilty before any judicial ruling. He should write to the syndic demanding a correction and apology to all co-owners, citing Article 9-1. If the syndic persists, Pierre may sue for damages and also challenge the charges in court. He must keep all payment records, the initial complaint, and the syndic's letter, and respect the 2-month time limit for contesting any legal action by the syndic.

3

First-time buyer's garden defamed by neighbour

Jean, a first-time buyer, purchased a house with a garden in Bordeaux for €350,000. His next-door neighbour claims part of the garden encroaches on her land and has put up a sign saying 'Trespasser – illegally occupied land' facing the garden. A surveyor's report, paid €1,500, proves Jean's title is correct, but the neighbour refuses to remove the sign, and people in the street now look at Jean suspiciously.

Application pratique:

Jean can rely on this decision to protect his presumption of innocence, as the sign publicly accuses him of illegal occupation without a court order. He should send a registered letter to the neighbour demanding the sign's removal and citing Article 9-1, and also enclose a copy of the surveyor's report. If the neighbour ignores him, Jean can seek an injunction and damages in court. He must keep the surveyor's report, all property deeds, and photographs of the sign, and be aware that any appeal after a court decision has a strict 1-month deadline.

Maître Cécile Zakine

À propos de l'auteur

Maître Cécile Zakine — Avocate au Barreau des Alpes-Maritimes, Docteur en Droit. Chaque article de ce magazine est rédigé à partir de l'analyse d'une décision de jurisprudence réelle, commentée et mise en perspective par les équipes de Maître Zakine.

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