The imprevision in the reformed Civil Code

AutorFrancesca Benatti
CargoUniversità degli Studi di Padovae
Páginas157-180
Benatti, F. The imprevision in the reformed civil code
157
Revista Facultad de Jurisprudencia RFJ No.10 Diciembre 2021
The imprevision in the reformed Civil Code
Acontecimientos imprevistos en la reforma del
código civil
Francesca Benatti
Università degli Studi di Padovae
City: Milano
Country: Italia
Original article (analysis)
RFJ, No. 10, 2021, pp. 157 - 180, ISSN 2588-0837
ABSTRACT: The essay, based on the examination of the
traditional orientation established in the Canal de Craponne
arrêt, traces the evolution of the French system concerning the
institution of imprévision. We know, art. 1195 of the reformed
civil code, highlighting critical issues especially regarding judge
discretion.
KEYWORDS: contract law, legal theory, doctrine, legal system
RESUMEN: El ensayo, a partir del examen de la orientación
tradicional establecida en el arrêt Canal de Craponne, traza la
evolución del sistema francés con respecto a la institución de la
imprévision. Entonces, el arte. 1195 del código civil reformado,
destacando las cuestiones críticas especialmente en lo que
respecta a la discreción del juez.
PALABRAS CLAVE: contrato legal, teoría legal, doctrina,
sistema legal.
JEL CODE: K41, P48.
INTRODUCTION
In international practise, we are now witnessing the
diffusion of hardship clauses that allow the contract to be
DOI 10.26807/rfj.v10i10.306
Benatti, F. The imprevision in the reformed civil code
158
Revista Facultad de Jurisprudencia RFJ No.10 Diciembre 2021
adapted to unforeseeable and uncontrollable circumstances,
as demonstrated by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the
problem arises in cases in which the contracting parties have
not established any regulations in the face of an unexpected
event. Part of the doctrine observes how in a complex and
constantly evolving reality, the imprevision is relevant because
it favours the preservation of the relationship, preserving its
substantial justice. In particular, the advantages deriving from
the renegotiation are highlighted1.
This has led in recent years to the introduction of the
institute in numerous codices (Momberg Uribe, 2011). Above
all, the reform of the law of contracts and obligations of the
French civil code of 2016 is significant of this new trend because
it has led to the overcoming of the traditional orientation that
consecrated the intangibility of contracts. On the influence of
this model, the reform project of the Italian civil code would
also like to introduce the same rule. However, despite the
possible advantages, imprévision opens up to a possible judicial
discretion, with repercussions on legal certainty.
1. THE TRADITIONAL ORIENTATION AND THE REASONS
FOR A REFORM
In 1876 the Cour de Cassation was called upon to rule
in Canal de Craponne on two contracts concluded in 1560 and
1567 concerning the supply of water to feed the canals. Given
the passage of time, the agreed sum had become negligible, and
the supplier was taking legal action asking for its revaluation.
The application was rejected because - based on art. 1134
cc - “dans aucun cas, il n’appartient aux tribunaux, quelque
équitable que puisse apparaître leur décision, to take into
consideration the temps and the circonstances for modifier
1 This article was prepared as a partial fulfilment of my research projects
at Universita degli Studi di Padova, Faculty of Law and Human Science’s
research group on Institutions, Justice and Legal Reform at Technological
University of Peru (UTP) and GIDE – PUCE research group.

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