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According to the Act of 16-24 August 1790, the
Droit Immobilier

According to the Act of 16-24 August 1790, the

📅 Decision of 06 March 2007🔄 Updated on 5 October 2026⚖️ Cour de cassation👁️ 16 views📖 2 min read

Under the Act of 16-24 August 1790, the liability of agents of the administrative public services can only be engaged before the ordinary courts for personal misconduct detachable from their duties. A fault committed in the course of service constitutes personal misconduct only if it involves an intent to cause harm or is of an unacceptably serious nature.

Reference decision: cc • No. 05-20.747 • 2007-03-06 • View the decision →

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

The situation

Under the Act of 16-24 August 1790, the liability of agents of the administrative public services can only be engaged before the ordinary courts for personal misconduct detachable from their duties. A fault committed in the course of service constitutes personal misconduct only if it involves an intent to cause harm or is of an unacceptably serious nature.

What the law says

This decision confirms the fundamental principles of property law.

Key points to remember

  • Strictly observe the statutory time limits for appeals
  • Keep all your supporting documents (title deeds, documents, correspondence)
  • Anticipate: preventive advice is always less expensive than litigation

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

  • Number: 05-20.747
  • Court: Cour de cassation
  • Decision of: 06 March 2007

Keywords

droit immobilierjurisprudenceimmobilier

Practical use cases

1

Landlord forced to carry out unnecessary costly repairs

A Paris landlord receives a mandatory safety order from a municipal inspector based on an erroneous report. Following the order, they spend €12,000 on repairs, later proven unnecessary by an independent survey.

Practical application:

This case law means the inspector's employer (the municipality) normally cannot be sued in ordinary courts unless the inspector's error was intentional or exceptionally serious. First, request a review of the inspection report from the authority. If the error appears deliberate or grossly negligent, gather evidence and seek legal advice on pursuing a 'personal fault' claim. Otherwise, consider an administrative claim for compensation through the prefecture.

2

First-time buyer inherits a boundary dispute after purchase

After buying a flat in Nice, the owner discovers that the cadastral plan used in the sale was inaccurate due to a mistake by a public land surveyor. The neighbour claims part of the garden, leading to a legal conflict valued at €15,000.

Practical application:

Under this decision, the surveyor's liability is limited unless the mistake shows intent to harm or extreme negligence. First, try to negotiate with the neighbour and request a correction of the cadastral record from the local land registry. If the surveyor's error was merely negligent, you may need to seek compensation via administrative channels rather than the civil courts. Preserve all purchase and survey documents for any future claim.

3

Co-owner suffers financial loss from notary's drafting error

In a Marseille co-ownership, a notary prepares the regulation document incorrectly, omitting a crucial clause. This omission costs one co-owner €8,000 in unexpected maintenance fees, which they discover three months after the general meeting.

Practical application:

Because a notary is a public officer, this case law limits their liability unless the mistake was intentional or of an unacceptably serious nature. Document all the financial harm and correspondence. Initially, raise the issue with the notary's professional insurance and the regional notary chamber. If the error appears deliberate or grossly negligent, consult a solicitor about taking the matter to civil court; otherwise, pursue an administrative complaint for redress.

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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