Local Law in Alsace-Moselle - Principles

Principles

The local law (fr: droit local) in Alsace-Moselle is a legal system which operates in parallel with French law and preserves those statutes made by the German authorities, in these formerly annexed and reverted territories, which are considered still to be of benefit. Created in 1919, it preserves those French laws that were in force before 1870 and were maintained by the German government but were repealed after 1871 in France. It also maintains German laws enacted by the German Empire between 1871 and 1918, specific provisions adopted by the local authorities and French laws that have been enacted after 1919 to be applicable only in the three concerned départements.

In 1919, a Commissaire de la République, whose duty was to restart the French administration in Alsace-Moselle following German defeat in World War I, had to choose between local law and general law. These provisions were supposed to be temporary. However, two further enactments of 1 June 1924 made them permanent. These laws were extended six times between 1934 and 1951 and in 1951, the legislator avoided mentioning a time limit. Even at the beginning of the 21st century, for some laws in force in Alsace-Moselle, the German language text is considered the binding one, the translated French text serving only as a non-binding commentary.

Read more about this topic:  Local Law In Alsace-Moselle

Famous quotes containing the word principles:

    When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong.
    Eugene V. Debs (1855–1926)

    Ah, I fancy it is just the same with most of what you call your “emancipation.” You have read yourself into a number of new ideas and opinions. You have got a sort of smattering of recent discoveries in various fields—discoveries that seem to overthrow certain principles which have hitherto been held impregnable and unassailable. But all this has only been a matter of intellect, Miss West—superficial acquisition. It has not passed into your blood.
    Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906)

    When great changes occur in history, when great principles are involved, as a rule the majority are wrong.
    Eugene V. Debs (1855–1926)