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Does not benefit from the legislation on
Droit Immobilier

Does not benefit from the legislation on

📅 Décision du 27 November 1991⚖️ Cour de cassation👁️ 11 vues📖 2 min de lecture

A trader operating a fish stall located near a supermarket does not benefit from the legislation on commercial leases where the clientele of this business is predominantly made up of customers of the supermarket operated by the company that owns the premises.

Reference decision: cc • No. 90-15.177 • 1991-11-27 • View the decision →

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

The situation

A trader operating a fish stall located near a supermarket does not benefit from the legislation on commercial leases where the clientele of this business is predominantly made up of customers of the supermarket operated by the company that owns the premises.

What the law says

This decision confirms the fundamental principles of property law.

Key takeaways

  • Strictly adhere to statutory time limits for appeals
  • Keep all your supporting documents (deeds, instruments, correspondence)
  • Anticipate: preventive advice always costs less than litigation

For an analysis of your situation: 30-min 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: 90-15.177
  • Juridiction: Cour de cassation
  • Date de décision: 27 novembre 1991

Mots-clés

droit immobilierjurisprudenceimmobilier

Cas d'usage pratiques

1

Cheese stand renewal refused by Carrefour landlord

A fromagerie has operated a stand inside a Carrefour supermarket in Marseille since 2012, paying €1,200 monthly rent. The 9-year lease expires in December 2024, but the landlord refuses renewal, claiming the stand’s clientele is essentially Carrefour’s shoppers, not its own.

Application pratique:

Under this case law, if a tenant’s custom predominantly comes from the landlord’s own business, the commercial lease statute (right to renewal, eviction indemnity) may not apply. The tenant should urgently collect evidence of independent clientele—e.g., loyalty cards, surveys showing customers visit specifically for the cheese, or separate marketing efforts. If such evidence is weak, negotiate a departure date and compensation, as court protection is unlikely. Seek legal advice on gathering proof before any formal notice is served.

2

Supermarket owner reclaims sushi stall with no indemnity

A Leclerc supermarket in Bordeaux owns the premises where a sushi stand has operated since 2016, generating €200,000 annual turnover, mostly from the supermarket’s footfall. The landlord wants to re‑occupy the space for an in‑house bakery and aims to avoid paying the statutory eviction indemnity.

Application pratique:

Relying on this precedent, the landlord can argue that the sushi stand lacks an autonomous clientele and therefore falls outside commercial lease protection, meaning no right to renewal and no eviction indemnity. The landlord should document how the stand’s sales correlate with the supermarket’s traffic, its lack of street frontage, and any marketing dependency. A formal notice of termination should still be given, but the landlord can take the matter to court seeking a declaration that the commercial lease statute is inapplicable, significantly reducing financial exposure.

3

Investor buying commercial gallery evaluates florist’s lease risk

An investor is purchasing a commercial gallery in Nice for €2.4 million, which includes a florist stall rented since 2015 at €850 per month. The investor worries the tenant might block future redevelopment by claiming a protected commercial lease with indefinite renewal rights.

Application pratique:

This case law clarifies that a stall’s statutory protection hinges on its own clientele. The investor must investigate whether the florist’s customers are mainly gallery visitors drawn by an anchor store. Review the lease, check for independent entrance or signage, and analyse turnover sources. If the florist’s business is dependent, the lease likely enjoys no automatic renewal right, making eviction smoother and cheaper. Commission a legal due‑diligence report to confirm this before completing the purchase, as it directly affects the asset’s flexibility and value.

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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