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Right of Access to Public Documents in France

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The Right of Access to Public Information

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Abstract

“Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and […] the touchstone of all freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated”. Its practical application underpins two distinctive principles of a democratic republican system of government: the publicity of acts and the transparency of public administration. In this context, information is a tool of democratic control over State institutions, intimately linked to the concept of participatory democracy and the respect for fundamental rights.

With contribution of Tetiana Ratushna, researh assistant and PhD student in International Law at the University Grenoble Alpes.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    General Assembly resolution 59 (1), Calling of an International Conference on Freedom of information, (14 December 1946), 65th Plenary Meeting.

  2. 2.

    Scoffoni 1992.

  3. 3.

    Law No. 78-17 of 6 January 1978.

  4. 4.

    Law No. 79-18 of 3 January 1979.

  5. 5.

    All the modifications to the 1978 Law:

    • Law No.79-587 of 11 July 1979

    • Decree No.81-860 of 15 September 1981

    • Law No.82-599 of 13 July 1982

    • Decree No.85-34 of 9 January 1985

    • Law no 87-588 of 30 July 1987 Article 1 JORF 31 July 1987

    • Decree No.88-465 of 28 April 1988

    • Law No.2000-321 of 12 April 2000

    • Law No.2002-303 of 4 March 2002

    • Law No.2002-1487 of 20 December 2002

    • Ordonnance No.2005-650 du 6 juin 2005

    • Order No.2006-346 of 23 March 2006

    • Law No.2006-686 of 13 June 2006

    • Law No.2008-696 of 15 July 2008

    • Law No.2008-1091 of 28 October 2008

    • Order No.2008-1161 of 13 November 2008

    • Law No.2009-323 of 25 March 2009

    • Order No.2009-483 of 29 April 2009

    • Law No.2009-526 of 12 May 2009

    • Order No.2009-536 of 14 May 2009

    • Decree No.2009-1393 of 11 November 2009

    • Order No.2010-462 of 6 May 2010

    • Law No.2011-334 of 29 March 2011

    • Law No.2011-525 of 17 May 2011

    • Law No. 2015-1779 of 28 December 2015.

  6. 6.

    Order No. 2005-650 of 6 June 2005, JORF of 07/06/2005.

  7. 7.

    Lallet 2014.

  8. 8.

    The Ordinance has been implemented by the Decree on freedom of access to administrative documents and the re-use of public information of, JORF of 31/05/2005, p. 1–8.

  9. 9.

    Ordinance No. 2009-483 of 29 April 2009, JORF of 30 April 2009.

  10. 10.

    Ordinance No. 2015-1341 of 23 October 2015, JORF 25 October 2015.

  11. 11.

    Constitutional Council (Conseil constitutionnel), Dec. 71/44 DC (Decision of 16 July 1971).

  12. 12.

    Constitutional Council, Dec. 99-421 DC (Decision of 16 December 1999).

  13. 13.

    Article 10 ECHR: “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers”.

  14. 14.

    Europeam Court of Human Rights, Leander v. Sweden, Application No. 9248/81 (Judgment of 26 March 1987).

  15. 15.

    European Court of Human Rights, Sîrbu, et al. v. Moldova, Applications No. 73562/01 a.o. (Judgment of 15 June 2004).

  16. 16.

    European Court of Human Rights, Sdruženi Jihočeské Matky v. Czech Republic, Application No. 19101/03 (Judgment of 10 July 2006).

  17. 17.

    Edel 2011, p. 59.

  18. 18.

    CADA 2008, 2012 and Conseil d’Etat 1997.

  19. 19.

    Council of State, Office public HLM de Paris, Case No. 83476 (Judgment of 16 June 1989); Council of State, Association Comité tous frères, 9/10 SSR, Case No. 188431 (Judgment of 27 November 2000).

  20. 20.

    Administrative Court Toulouse, Dumeaux (Judgment of 16 February 1987).

  21. 21.

    Administrative Court Versailles, Union locale CGT Chesnay (Judgment of 31 January 1980).

  22. 22.

    Council of State, Association SOS Défense et Bertin, Case No. 39196 (Judgment of 21 July 1989).

  23. 23.

    Council of State, Association du personnel relevant des établissements pour inadaptés, Case No. 264541 (Judgment of 22 February 2007).

  24. 24.

    French National Olympic Committee – Council of State, Comité national olympique et sportif français, Case No. 280069 (Judgment of 10 January 2007).

  25. 25.

    Banque postale (Avis No. 20073859 of 11 October 2007).

  26. 26.

    Council of State, Federation de la mutualité agricole d’ Île-de-France, Case No. 68502 (Judgment of 8 July 1988).

  27. 27.

    Council of State (Section), Case No. 43468 (Judgment of 26 July 1985).

  28. 28.

    Council of State, Ministre de l’urbanisme c / Durand 3, Case No. 65457 (Judgment of 3 June 1987).

  29. 29.

    Council of State, Vinçot, Case No. 44883 (Judgment of 24 January 1986).

  30. 30.

    Council of State, Ordre des avocats de Pontoise, Case No. 57285 (Judgment of 6 June 1986).

  31. 31.

    Nantes Administrative Court of Appeals (Cour administrative d’appel Nantes), Association “L’arbre au milieu”, Case No. 00NT01259 (Judgment of 30 June 2003).

  32. 32.

    Council of State, Case No. 30590, Association SOS Défense (Judgment of 27 July 1984).

  33. 33.

    Council of State, Case No. 45736, Association SOS Defense (Judgment of 9 March 1983) and Council of State, Case No.95139, Mme P (Judgment of 28 April 1993).

  34. 34.

    European Court of Human Rights, Kress v. France, Appeal No. 39594/98 (Judgment of 7 June 2001).

  35. 35.

    Council of State, M. Bertin, Case No. 303168 (Judgment of 7 May 2010).

  36. 36.

    A snapshot of a speeding: Administrative Court Bordeaux (Tribunal administrative), Mr. A. (Judgment of 2 May 2007).

  37. 37.

    Council of State, Association SOS Défense, Case No. 43501 (Judgment of 9 March 1983).

  38. 38.

    Council of State, Thorel, Case No. 46591 (Judgment of 16 January 1985).

  39. 39.

    Council of State, Compagnie générale des eaux, Case No. 66573 (Judgment of 30 September 1987).

  40. 40.

    Administrative Court Versailles, SA Montenay (Judgment of 11 July 1985).

  41. 41.

    “Le droit à communication ne s’exerce plus lorsque les documents font l’objet d’une diffusion publique.”

  42. 42.

    Council of State, Association SOS Défense, Case No. 45736 (Judgment of 9 March 1983).

  43. 43.

    Council of State, Louard, Case No. 222672 (Judgment of 27 October 2000).

  44. 44.

    Administrative Court of Appeals Bordeaux, Soule, Case No. 00BX00267 (Judgment of 27 April 2004).

  45. 45.

    Council of State, Mme D, Case No. 90237 (Judgment of 30 March 1990).

  46. 46.

    Council of State, Commune de Louviers, Case No. 112904 (Judgment of 10 April 1991).

  47. 47.

    Bonnet 2004, p. 405 et seqq.

  48. 48.

    Council of State, Association Reporters sans Frontières, Case No. 260926 (Judgment of 25 May 2005).

  49. 49.

    Council of State, El Fourti, Case No. 195072 (Judgment of 31 March 1999).

  50. 50.

    Council of State, Ministre du budget c /Durand, Case No. 65457 (Judgment of 12 October 1992).

  51. 51.

    Council of State, Mesmin, Case No. 50234 (Judgment of 16 November 1984).

  52. 52.

    Council of State, Ministre du travail, de l’emploi et de la formation professionnelle c /Thomé, Case No. 107566 (Judgment of 21 September 1990).

  53. 53.

    Schultz 2010, http://ir.polytechnic.edu.na/handle/10628/89 (Accessed on 14 February 2017).

  54. 54.

    La liberté d’accès en Europe et dans le monde. http://www.cada.fr/la-liberte-d-acces-en-europe-et-dans-le-monde,6084.html (Accessed on 14 February 2017).

  55. 55.

    The maximum fee is € 0.18 per page, 1.83 the floppy and € 2.75 the CD-ROM.

  56. 56.

    Council of State (Assembly), Mirlit, Case No. 144042 (Judgment of 14 February 1996).

  57. 57.

    Council of State, Lalande, Case No. 197018 (Judgment of 26 October 1988).

  58. 58.

    Council of State (Assembly), Ministre de la santé c /Tête, Case No. 45172 (Judgment 8 April 1987).

  59. 59.

    Council of State, Murlidhar, Case No. 13132 (Judgment of 6 February 1980).

  60. 60.

    Council of State, David, Case No. 110211 (Judgment of 4 January, 1995).

  61. 61.

    Council of State, Ministre de l’emploi c /Farida Dall, Case No. 204761 (Judgment of 14 December 2001).

  62. 62.

    Council of State, SARL Villerupt auto école, Case No. 89251 (Judgment of 21 septembre 1990).

  63. 63.

    Council of State, Association SOS Défense, Case No. 45736 (Judgment of 9 March 1983).

  64. 64.

    Council of State, Epoux Deplace, Case No. 34773 (Judgment of 27 April 1983).

  65. 65.

    Council of State, Holland, Case No. 28097 (Judgment of 25 May 1983).

  66. 66.

    Tribunal of dispute settlement (Tribunal des conflits), Vinçot et Leborgne c /Caisse MSA du Finistère, Cases No. 02324, 02325 (Decision of 2 July 1984).

  67. 67.

    Council of State, Humbrecht, Case No. 62332 (Judgment of 12 February 1988).

  68. 68.

    Council of State, Audebert, Case No. 551194 (Judgment of 20 February 1985); Council of State, Parkinson, Cases No. 41589, 41699 (Judgment of 6 May 1985).

  69. 69.

    Council of State, Commune de Gravelotte c /Bauchat, Case No. 144921 (Judgment of 28 January 1998).

  70. 70.

    Council of State, Société Baggerbedrijf de Boer, Case No. 239466 (Judgment of 29 April 2002).

  71. 71.

    Council of State, Banque de France c /Huberschwiller, Case No. 95310 (Judgment of 23 December 1988).

  72. 72.

    Council of State, Kevin, Case No. 231661 (Judgment of 14 March 2003).

  73. 73.

    Council of State (Section), MINEFI c /SA Dumons, Leb. et CE, idem, MINEFI c /Société Chanel, Case No. 62282 (17 January 1986).

  74. 74.

    Laluque 2003.

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List of Cases

    European Court of Human Rights

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    • European Court of Human Rights 07.07.1989, Gaskin v. the United Kingdom, Application No. 10454/83

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    • European Court of Human Rights 10.07.2006, Sdruženi Jihočeské Matky v. Czech Republic, Application No. 19101/03

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      Conseil Constitutionnel (Constitutional Council)

      • Constitutional Council 16.07.1971, Decision 71/44 DC, JORF of 18 July 1971, p. 7114

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      • Constitutional Council 16.12.1999, Decision 99-421 DC, JORF of 22 December 1999, p. 19041

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      Council of State (Conseil d’Etat)

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      • Council of State 25.05.1983, Holland, Case No. 28097

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      • Council of State 27.07.1984, Association SOS Défense II, Case No. 30590, Leb.

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      • Council of State 16.11.1984, Mesmin, Case No. 50234

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      • Council of State 16.01.1985, Thorel, Case No. 46591, Leb., p. 635

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      • Council of State 20.02.1985, Audebert, Case No. 551194, Leb., p. 51

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      • Council of State (Section) 26.07.1985, A., Case No. 43468, Leb., p. 243

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      • Council of State (Section) 17.01.1986, MINEFI c/SA Dumons, Case No. 62282, Leb.

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      • Council of State 24.01.1986, Vinçot, Case No. 44883, Leb. p. 536

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      • Council of State, 06.06.1986, Ordre des avocats de Pontoise, Case No. 57285, Leb., p. 159

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      • Council of State (Assembly) 08.04.1987, Ministre de la santé c/Tête, Case No. 45172, Leb., p. 144

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      • Council of State, 03.06.1987, Ministre de l’urbanisme c/Durand, Case No. 65457, Leb., p. 190

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      • Council of State 30.09.1987, Compagnie générale des eaux, Case No. 66573, Leb.

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      • Council of State 12.02.1988, Humbrecht, Case No. 62332, Leb., p. 798

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      • Council of State 08.07.1988, Federation de la mutualité agricole d’ Île-de-France, Case No. 68502, Leb.

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      • Council of State 26.10.1988, Lalande, Case No. 197018, Leb.

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      • Council of State 23.12.1988, Banque de France c/Huberschwiller, Case No. 95310, Leb., p. 688

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      • Council of State 16.06.1989, Office public HLM de Paris, Case No. 83476, Leb. 1989

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      • Council of State 21.07.1989, Association SOS Défense et Bertin, Case No. 39196, Leb.

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      • Council of State 30.03.1990, Mme D, Case No. 90237, Leb.

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      • Council of State 12.09.1990, Ministre du travail, de l’emploi et de la formation professionnelle c/Thomé, Case No. 107566, Leb.

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      • Council of State 21.09.1990, SARL Villerupt auto école, Case No. 89251

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      • Council of State 31.03.1991, El Fourti, Case No. 195072, Leb.

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      • Council of State 10.04.1991, Commune de Louviers, Case No. 112904, Leb.

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      • Council of State 12.10.1992, Ministre du budget c/Durand, Case No. 65457, Leb., p. 781

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      • Council of State 28.04.1993, Mme P, Case No. 95139, Leb.

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      • Council of State 04.01.1995, David, Case No. 110211, Leb.

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      • Council of State (Assembly) 14.02.1996, Mirlit, Case No. 144042, Leb.

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      • Council of State 28.01.1998, Commune de Gravelotte c/Bauchat, Case No. 144921

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      • Council of State 27.10.2000, Louard, Case No. 222672, Leb.

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      • Council of State 14.12.2001, Ministre de l’emploi c/Farida Dall, Case No. 204761, Leb., p. 643

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      • Council of State 29.04.2002, Société Baggerbedrijf de Boer, Case No. 239466

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      Administrative Courts of Appeal (Cours administratives d’appel)

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      Administrative Courts (Tribunaux administratifs)

      Tribunal of Dispute Settlement (Tribunal des conflits)

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      List of the Websites of All National Courts

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      Authors and Affiliations

      1. Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CESICE, F-38000, Grenoble, France

        Constance Chevallier-Govers

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      1. Constance Chevallier-Govers
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      Correspondence to Constance Chevallier-Govers .

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      Editors and Affiliations

      1. Faculty for Economics, Law and Social Science, University of Erfurt, Erfurt, Germany

        Hermann-Josef Blanke

      2. School of Law, Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Brazil

        Ricardo Perlingeiro

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      Chevallier-Govers, C. (2018). Right of Access to Public Documents in France. In: Blanke, HJ., Perlingeiro, R. (eds) The Right of Access to Public Information. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-55554-5_6

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