Most of the library's materials are in French. KJC 9405 .C66x 1996. For other sources of information about the legal system and legal research, see Section VIII., Research Guides, below. V. Cases and Courts Precedence does not exist formally in France. Cases do have binding authority over the parties, but not on future cases.
Cases do, however, have persuasive value and lower court judges are aware of higher court decisions.
Most case reports are published unofficially, by commercial publishers. Generally, English translations of French cases are not available. L'ordre judicaire courts handle both civil and criminal cases. The cour d'assizes can also try criminal cases. The highest court for l'ordre judicaire is the cour de cassation .