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Does not legally justify its decision
Droit Immobilier

Does not legally justify its decision

📅 Decision of 04 December 2002🔄 Updated on 15 October 2026⚖️ Cour de cassation👁️ 36 views📖 2 min read

The Court of Appeal does not legally justify its decision with regard to the provisions of the law of 16-24 August 1790 when, following the creation by decree of a no-hunting zone in the Cévennes National Park, it upholds the jurisdiction of the expropriation judge to rule on claims by landowners within that zone seeking compensation from the administrative public body of the Cévennes National Park for damage caused by game to forest plantations, pursuant to Article R. 241-59 of the Rural Code which gives jurisdiction to that judge to rule on compensation due by reason of the creation of a no-hunting zone under Article L. 331-3 of the Environmental Code, without ascertaining that the alleged damage was the direct consequence of the creation of the no-hunting zone.

Reference decision: cc • N° 01-70.122 • 2002-12-04 • View the decision →

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

The situation

The Court of Appeal does not legally justify its decision with regard to the provisions of the law of 16-24 August 1790 when, following the creation by decree of a no-hunting zone in the Cévennes National Park, it upholds the jurisdiction of the expropriation judge to rule on claims by landowners within that zone seeking compensation from the administrative public body of the Cévennes National Park for damage caused by game to forest plantations, pursuant to Article R. 241-59 of the Rural Code which gives jurisdiction to that judge to rule on compensation due by reason of the creation of a no-hunting zone under Article L. 331-3 of the Environmental Code, without ascertaining that the alleged damage was the direct consequence of the creation of the no-hunting zone.

What the law says

This decision confirms the fundamental principles of property law.

Key takeaways

  • Strictly respect the legal deadlines for appeals
  • Keep all your supporting documents (title deeds, deeds, correspondence)
  • Anticipate: preventive advice is always less expensive 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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Legal information

  • Number: 01-70.122
  • Court: Cour de cassation
  • Decision of: 04 December 2002

Keywords

droit immobilierjurisprudenceimmobilier

Practical use cases

1

Forest owner seeks compensation for deer damage

A forest owner in Florac, Lozère, has lost €20,000 worth of young pine trees over two years since a no-hunting zone was created in Cévennes National Park. Deer populations have surged, causing extensive browsing damage.

Practical application:

The court requires proof that the damage directly results from the no-hunting zone. The owner should commission an ecological expert report comparing deer density and damage before and after the zone's creation. Without this causal link, the expropriation judge cannot award compensation, as per the 2002 ruling.

2

Farmer blames wild boar damage on hunting ban

A farmer in Sainte-Enimie, Lozère, claims €35,000 in lost maize harvest over three seasons due to wild boar incursions. The area was designated a no-hunting zone under the environmental code, and the farmer argues the park authority is liable.

Practical application:

This ruling clarifies that mere proximity to a no-hunting zone isn't enough. The farmer must log detailed records of damage incidents, wild boar sightings, and ideally show that before the ban, hunting kept numbers low. They should request the park authority's wildlife monitoring data and may need a court-appointed expert to establish the direct consequence required by the law.

3

Property damage from excess game in protected area

An owner of a rural property in Meyrueis, Lozère, faces recurring damage to fences and orchards from overpopulated roe deer since the national park expanded its no-hunting zone 18 months ago. Repairs have cost €8,000.

Practical application:

To succeed in a compensation claim, the owner must demonstrate that the damage was the direct consequence of the no-hunting zone creation, not pre-existing. They should submit a formal claim to the park's public body with dated photographs, receipts, and a statement from a wildlife expert linking the deer density increase to the hunting prohibition. If refused, they may take the matter to the expropriation judge, ensuring they have the causal evidence required by the Cour de Cassation.

Maître Cécile Zakine

About the author

Maître Cécile Zakine — Lawyer at the Alpes-Maritimes Bar, Doctor of Law. Every article in this magazine is based on the analysis of a real court decision, commented and put into perspective by Maître Zakine’s team.

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Disclaimer: The analysis presented on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute personalised legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation, contact a qualified lawyer.

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