Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
théorie de l'apparence
English translation:
doctrine of appearances
Added to glossary by
Yolanda Broad
Oct 20, 2003 14:24
20 yrs ago
9 viewers *
French term
théorie de l'apparence
French to English
Law/Patents
legal theory
Hello all!
I have to translate "théorie de l'apparence" - the definition in French being "théorie en vertu de laquelle la seule apparence suffit à produire des effets à l'égard des tiers ...". It is used in conjunction with the latin maxim error communis facit jus. The obvious choice would seem to be 'theory of appearances' - can anyone confirm this is correct? I would like to know if this is actually a recognised theory in UK/US law (as if it isn't I will need to include an explanation). Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Jackie McCorquodale
I have to translate "théorie de l'apparence" - the definition in French being "théorie en vertu de laquelle la seule apparence suffit à produire des effets à l'égard des tiers ...". It is used in conjunction with the latin maxim error communis facit jus. The obvious choice would seem to be 'theory of appearances' - can anyone confirm this is correct? I would like to know if this is actually a recognised theory in UK/US law (as if it isn't I will need to include an explanation). Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Jackie McCorquodale
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
1 hr
Selected
the doctrine of appearances
see § 81 in the Kress decision; cf. ref below
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Note added at 2003-10-21 06:19:56 (GMT)
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I agree with lenkl\'s remark, the proposal above cannot be applied to the context of \'error\';
Abdellatif pointed in the right direction,
the complete translation could be
\'the prima facie error rule\'
see:
http://www.state.in.us/judiciary/opinions/archive/041501.lmb...
\"1 Prima facie error is error appearing at first sight, on first appearance, or on the face of the argument.\"
and as to the origin of the expression:
There was a well-educated slave named Barbarius who escaped from his master and arrived in Rome. Roman Law declared null and void the acts of slaves, and they were unable to exercise any public charges. But clever Barbarius managed successfully to hide his origins and presented himself as a citizen, and he did it so well that the discriminating Roman people elevated him to the important dignity of Praetor, in which capacity Barbarius handed down many judicial sentences for years. Years of invalid acts, because he remained an unauthorized agent, a slave! Only after his death the truth about his lowly origin was known. What was to be done?
Pomponius and Ulpianus, both great jurists, explained that in order to avoid the great public disorders to follow from the invalidity of such actions, the Roman people ratified them as though they were valid from the beginning. This solution was a more human method of acting, and after all, Rome could have given jurisdiction to a slave, had she so wished! Hoc enim humanius erat. And therefore the people of Rome prevented the consequences of such actions. The solution was extended to a multiplicity of similar legal matters, and soon a new axiom of law became generally accepted: Error communis facit ius. We read this interesting story in the Digestum, l. I, tit. xiv, c.3.
(see: http://www.smac.edu/doctrinal/validity/2.html )
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Note added at 2003-10-21 06:27:20 (GMT)
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the citation above is in the footnote of the www.state.in.us... ref., and it goes further with:
\"The prima facie error rule protects this court and relieves it from the burden of controverting the arguments advanced for a reversal, a duty which properly remains with the appellee.\"
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-10-21 06:19:56 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I agree with lenkl\'s remark, the proposal above cannot be applied to the context of \'error\';
Abdellatif pointed in the right direction,
the complete translation could be
\'the prima facie error rule\'
see:
http://www.state.in.us/judiciary/opinions/archive/041501.lmb...
\"1 Prima facie error is error appearing at first sight, on first appearance, or on the face of the argument.\"
and as to the origin of the expression:
There was a well-educated slave named Barbarius who escaped from his master and arrived in Rome. Roman Law declared null and void the acts of slaves, and they were unable to exercise any public charges. But clever Barbarius managed successfully to hide his origins and presented himself as a citizen, and he did it so well that the discriminating Roman people elevated him to the important dignity of Praetor, in which capacity Barbarius handed down many judicial sentences for years. Years of invalid acts, because he remained an unauthorized agent, a slave! Only after his death the truth about his lowly origin was known. What was to be done?
Pomponius and Ulpianus, both great jurists, explained that in order to avoid the great public disorders to follow from the invalidity of such actions, the Roman people ratified them as though they were valid from the beginning. This solution was a more human method of acting, and after all, Rome could have given jurisdiction to a slave, had she so wished! Hoc enim humanius erat. And therefore the people of Rome prevented the consequences of such actions. The solution was extended to a multiplicity of similar legal matters, and soon a new axiom of law became generally accepted: Error communis facit ius. We read this interesting story in the Digestum, l. I, tit. xiv, c.3.
(see: http://www.smac.edu/doctrinal/validity/2.html )
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-10-21 06:27:20 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
the citation above is in the footnote of the www.state.in.us... ref., and it goes further with:
\"The prima facie error rule protects this court and relieves it from the burden of controverting the arguments advanced for a reversal, a duty which properly remains with the appellee.\"
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks very much to all of you for your input - very interesting.
Jackie "
+1
3 mins
appearance theory
Com 410 Spring 2002 Presentation Times - [ Traduire cette page ]
... Albada, KF; Knapp, ML and Theune, KE (2002). Interaction appearance theory: Changing
perceptions of physical attractiveness through social interaction. ...
com.pp.asu.edu/classes/jerryb/2002Spring/ Com410S02PresentationTime.html - 28k - En cache - Pages similaires
[ Autres résultats, domaine com.pp.asu.edu ]
Commun Theory -- Abstracts: Albada et al. 12 (1): 8 - [ Traduire cette page ]
... Association Article. Interaction Appearance Theory: Changing Perceptions
of Physical Attractiveness Through Social Interaction. Kelly ...
ct.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/12/1/8 - Pages similaires
Commun Theory -- Table of Contents (February 1 2002, 12 [1]) - [ Traduire cette page ]
... Kelly Fudge Albada, Mark L. Knapp, and Katheryn E. Theune Interaction Appearance Theory: Changing Perceptions of Physical Attractiveness Through Social ...
ct.oupjournals.org/content/vol12/issue1/index.shtml -
... Albada, KF; Knapp, ML and Theune, KE (2002). Interaction appearance theory: Changing
perceptions of physical attractiveness through social interaction. ...
com.pp.asu.edu/classes/jerryb/2002Spring/ Com410S02PresentationTime.html - 28k - En cache - Pages similaires
[ Autres résultats, domaine com.pp.asu.edu ]
Commun Theory -- Abstracts: Albada et al. 12 (1): 8 - [ Traduire cette page ]
... Association Article. Interaction Appearance Theory: Changing Perceptions
of Physical Attractiveness Through Social Interaction. Kelly ...
ct.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/12/1/8 - Pages similaires
Commun Theory -- Table of Contents (February 1 2002, 12 [1]) - [ Traduire cette page ]
... Kelly Fudge Albada, Mark L. Knapp, and Katheryn E. Theune Interaction Appearance Theory: Changing Perceptions of Physical Attractiveness Through Social ...
ct.oupjournals.org/content/vol12/issue1/index.shtml -
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
SGGT
7 mins
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| neutral |
lenkl
: Aren't you confusing this with the "appearance doctrine" in self-defense cases? The references you give seem entirely irrelevant.
1 hr
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there are many others on Internet ....I had no time to double check the first ones!
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| disagree |
Jane Lamb-Ruiz (X)
: Francis, could you please at least READ your references before posting them...These are about PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS NOT LAW
1 hr
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et vous pourriez-vous laisser le demandeur libre de sa décision sans jouer en permanence le juge de paix ou Zorro ?
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| agree |
truptee
: tetley.law.mcgill.ca/maritime/arrest_full.htm
3 hrs
|
+1
1 hr
Abdellatif Bouhid
Native in French
Respect for the Words
Native in: Arabic 
, French
Works in: English to French, Arabic to French, French to English, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
390
prima facie
At first sight; before closer inspection: They had, prima facie, a legitimate complaint.
adj.
True, authentic, or adequate at first sight; ostensible: prima facie credibility.
Evident without proof or reasoning; obvious: a prima facie violation of the treaty
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Sufficient to establish a fact or case unless disproved (prima facie proof) (a prima facie showing)
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law 1996
At first sight, on the face of it.
As you know, more latin expressions are used in UK/US legal circles than in France.
Prima facie (with the word theory) woud convey the meaning.
I hope I am of help.
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Note added at 1 hr 14 mins (2003-10-20 15:38:49 GMT)
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Prima facie (with or without the word theory) would convey the intended meaning.
adj.
True, authentic, or adequate at first sight; ostensible: prima facie credibility.
Evident without proof or reasoning; obvious: a prima facie violation of the treaty
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Sufficient to establish a fact or case unless disproved (prima facie proof) (a prima facie showing)
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law 1996
At first sight, on the face of it.
As you know, more latin expressions are used in UK/US legal circles than in France.
Prima facie (with the word theory) woud convey the meaning.
I hope I am of help.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr 14 mins (2003-10-20 15:38:49 GMT)
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Prima facie (with or without the word theory) would convey the intended meaning.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Jane Lamb-Ruiz (X)
: makes sense to me though I cannot vouch
21 mins
|
1 hr
William Stein
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Native in English
Costa Rica
Translations that read like originals
Native in: English (Variants: UK, US) 
Works in: French to English, German to English, Spanish to English, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
1737
Colo(u)r of Law
This includes "prima facie" but is a bit broader, as shown by the following definition:
Color.
An appearance, semblance, or simulacrum, as distinguished from that which is real. A prima facie or apparent right. Hence, a deceptive appearance; a plausible, assumed exterior, concealing a lack of reality; a disguise or pretext.
Color of law.
The appearance or semblance, without the substance, of legal right. Misuse of power, possessed by virtue of state law and made possible only because wrongdoer is clothed with authority of state, is action taken under "color of state law". When used in the context of federal civil rights statutes or criminal law, the term is synonymous with the concept of "state action" under the Fourteenth Amendment, and means pretense of law and includes actions of officers who undertake to perform their official duties. See Tort (Constitutional tort).------
Acts "under color of any law" of a State include not only acts done by State officials within the bounds or limits of their lawful authority, but also acts done without and beyond the bounds of their lawful authority; provided that, in order for unlawful acts of an official to be done “under color of any law”, the unlawful acts must be done while such official is purporting or pretending to act in the performance of his official duties; that is to say, the unlawful acts must consist in an abuse or misuse of power which is possessed by the official only because he is an official; and the unlawful acts must be of such a nature or character, and be committed under such circumstances, that they would not have occurred but for the fact that the person committing them was an official then and there exercising his official powers outside the bounds of lawful authority.
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Note added at 2003-10-20 16:35:09 (GMT)
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A few more aspects of the same concept:
Color of authority.
That semblance or presumption of authority sustaining the acts of a public officer which is derived from his apparent title to the office or from a writ or other process in his hands apparently valid and regular. See Color of law, Color of office.
Color of office.
Pretense of official right to do act made by one who has no such right. An act under color of office is an act of an officer who claims authority to do the act by reason of his office when the office does not confer on him any such authority. See also Color of law.
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Note added at 2003-10-20 18:25:14 (GMT)
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Lenkl: Sorry, I got cut off: I think it\'s related to the question of \"acting under color of right\": Looky-here:
Apparence
(théorie de) Théorie qui permet de se fonder sur l’apparence d’une situation pour lui faire produire des effets juridiques qui ne lui sont pas normalement attachés puisqu’en réalité, au delà de l‘apparence, elle ne remplit pas les conditions nécessaires à cette fin.
Cette théorie ne peut être invoquée que par un tiers à la situation dès lors qu’il aura pu légitimement croire que les conditions nécessaires à la production d’un effet juridique existaient en l’espèce bien que cela n’ait pas, en fait, été le cas (« error communis facit jus »). Elle lui permet de prétendre à l’exécution de ses obligations par le débiteur apparent bien que les conditions légales d’une telle exécution n’existent pas en fait. Mais celui dont les droits et/ou obligations ne sont qu’apparents ne saurait quant à lui se prévaloir de cette apparence
http://www.legamedia.net/lx/result/match/23615983328863d6754...
Color.
An appearance, semblance, or simulacrum, as distinguished from that which is real. A prima facie or apparent right. Hence, a deceptive appearance; a plausible, assumed exterior, concealing a lack of reality; a disguise or pretext.
Color of law.
The appearance or semblance, without the substance, of legal right. Misuse of power, possessed by virtue of state law and made possible only because wrongdoer is clothed with authority of state, is action taken under "color of state law". When used in the context of federal civil rights statutes or criminal law, the term is synonymous with the concept of "state action" under the Fourteenth Amendment, and means pretense of law and includes actions of officers who undertake to perform their official duties. See Tort (Constitutional tort).------
Acts "under color of any law" of a State include not only acts done by State officials within the bounds or limits of their lawful authority, but also acts done without and beyond the bounds of their lawful authority; provided that, in order for unlawful acts of an official to be done “under color of any law”, the unlawful acts must be done while such official is purporting or pretending to act in the performance of his official duties; that is to say, the unlawful acts must consist in an abuse or misuse of power which is possessed by the official only because he is an official; and the unlawful acts must be of such a nature or character, and be committed under such circumstances, that they would not have occurred but for the fact that the person committing them was an official then and there exercising his official powers outside the bounds of lawful authority.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-10-20 16:35:09 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
A few more aspects of the same concept:
Color of authority.
That semblance or presumption of authority sustaining the acts of a public officer which is derived from his apparent title to the office or from a writ or other process in his hands apparently valid and regular. See Color of law, Color of office.
Color of office.
Pretense of official right to do act made by one who has no such right. An act under color of office is an act of an officer who claims authority to do the act by reason of his office when the office does not confer on him any such authority. See also Color of law.
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Note added at 2003-10-20 18:25:14 (GMT)
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Lenkl: Sorry, I got cut off: I think it\'s related to the question of \"acting under color of right\": Looky-here:
Apparence
(théorie de) Théorie qui permet de se fonder sur l’apparence d’une situation pour lui faire produire des effets juridiques qui ne lui sont pas normalement attachés puisqu’en réalité, au delà de l‘apparence, elle ne remplit pas les conditions nécessaires à cette fin.
Cette théorie ne peut être invoquée que par un tiers à la situation dès lors qu’il aura pu légitimement croire que les conditions nécessaires à la production d’un effet juridique existaient en l’espèce bien que cela n’ait pas, en fait, été le cas (« error communis facit jus »). Elle lui permet de prétendre à l’exécution de ses obligations par le débiteur apparent bien que les conditions légales d’une telle exécution n’existent pas en fait. Mais celui dont les droits et/ou obligations ne sont qu’apparents ne saurait quant à lui se prévaloir de cette apparence
http://www.legamedia.net/lx/result/match/23615983328863d6754...
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
lenkl
: You have Black's in electronic form? I'm not sure the questions concerns misuse of authority. The Latin says something different.
2 hrs
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It's true that "error communis...
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1 hr
French term (edited):
th�orie de l'apparence
I like your suggestion, simple ; else ...
What appearance conveys.
On appearance as a theory.
...
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Note added at 1 hr 41 mins (2003-10-20 16:05:12 GMT)
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Need your opinion on those 2 again Jane
On appearance as a theory.
...
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Note added at 1 hr 41 mins (2003-10-20 16:05:12 GMT)
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Need your opinion on those 2 again Jane
5 hrs
théorie de l'apparence
Hi Jackie,
just looked in Blacks and there doesn't seem to be something like "theory of appearance" so it might be the best idea to give an explanation of the French term.
HTH
Mary
just looked in Blacks and there doesn't seem to be something like "theory of appearance" so it might be the best idea to give an explanation of the French term.
HTH
Mary
2 hrs
French term (edited):
th�orie de l'apparence
mere appearance?
As in "fact not mere appearance" or "mere appearance of impropriety". I'm not aware of a theory pertaining to this.
The phrase you quote also seems a little short to form a clear idea of what is meant.
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Note added at 6 hrs 18 mins (2003-10-20 20:42:38 GMT)
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\"Error communis facit jus\" may be a fitting maxim for us at KudoZ.
The phrase you quote also seems a little short to form a clear idea of what is meant.
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Note added at 6 hrs 18 mins (2003-10-20 20:42:38 GMT)
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\"Error communis facit jus\" may be a fitting maxim for us at KudoZ.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Jane Lamb-Ruiz (X)
: it;s all over the place in French as in the Kress decision
53 mins
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The Kress case, as I read it, concerns the "appearance of impartiality" or rather lack of it and nothing in the asker's text seems to point in that direction.
|
7 hrs
theory of apparent subordination
All of this apparence business came up with the Kress case in France. The site below provides a full=blown legal commentary and the paragraph is a partial explanation of this concept taken from French administrative law...
"Quant à la deuxième observation : vous avez dit que les textes concernant les avocats généraux à la Cour de cassation devaient être modifiés, j'en suis tout à fait d'accord, là je suis pleinement d'accord avec ce que vous avez dit, c’est en cours d'ailleurs. Nous étudions actuellement tous les textes qui doivent être modifiés pour supprimer l'apparence précisément de subordination des avocats généraux au procureur général, ***l’apparence de subordination même au Garde des sceaux.*** Je dois vous dire même qu'il y a actuellement un travail très important qui est opéré par M. Badinter qui s'intéresse à cette question et qui est en train de préparer des textes pour essayer de proposer cela à la Cour européenne des droits de l'Homme. C’est simplement une observation complémentaire."
If you read the text cited, you will see that this can work...I would not use the word appearance but apparent and with subordiantion and a note
cheers
www.credho.org/cedh/session08/session08-04.htm - 72k -
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Note added at 2003-10-20 21:33:34 (GMT)
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The appearance business has to do with misreading about who has actual power and who seems or appears to have power.
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Note added at 2003-10-20 21:37:31 (GMT)
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Here;s another pertinent paragraph on this\"
Quant à la deuxième observation : vous avez dit que les textes concernant les avocats généraux à la Cour de cassation devaient être modifiés, j\'en suis tout à fait d\'accord, là je suis pleinement d\'accord avec ce que vous avez dit, c’est en cours d\'ailleurs. Nous étudions actuellement tous les textes qui doivent être modifiés ***pour supprimer l\'apparence précisément de subordination des avocats généraux au procureur général, l’apparence de subordination même au Garde des sceaux. ***Je dois vous dire même qu\'il y a actuellement un travail très important qui est opéré par M. Badinter qui s\'intéresse à cette question et qui est en train de préparer des textes pour essayer de proposer cela à la Cour européenne des droits de l\'Homme. C’est simplement une observation complémentaire.
"Quant à la deuxième observation : vous avez dit que les textes concernant les avocats généraux à la Cour de cassation devaient être modifiés, j'en suis tout à fait d'accord, là je suis pleinement d'accord avec ce que vous avez dit, c’est en cours d'ailleurs. Nous étudions actuellement tous les textes qui doivent être modifiés pour supprimer l'apparence précisément de subordination des avocats généraux au procureur général, ***l’apparence de subordination même au Garde des sceaux.*** Je dois vous dire même qu'il y a actuellement un travail très important qui est opéré par M. Badinter qui s'intéresse à cette question et qui est en train de préparer des textes pour essayer de proposer cela à la Cour européenne des droits de l'Homme. C’est simplement une observation complémentaire."
If you read the text cited, you will see that this can work...I would not use the word appearance but apparent and with subordiantion and a note
cheers
www.credho.org/cedh/session08/session08-04.htm - 72k -
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Note added at 2003-10-20 21:33:34 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
The appearance business has to do with misreading about who has actual power and who seems or appears to have power.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-10-20 21:37:31 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Here;s another pertinent paragraph on this\"
Quant à la deuxième observation : vous avez dit que les textes concernant les avocats généraux à la Cour de cassation devaient être modifiés, j\'en suis tout à fait d\'accord, là je suis pleinement d\'accord avec ce que vous avez dit, c’est en cours d\'ailleurs. Nous étudions actuellement tous les textes qui doivent être modifiés ***pour supprimer l\'apparence précisément de subordination des avocats généraux au procureur général, l’apparence de subordination même au Garde des sceaux. ***Je dois vous dire même qu\'il y a actuellement un travail très important qui est opéré par M. Badinter qui s\'intéresse à cette question et qui est en train de préparer des textes pour essayer de proposer cela à la Cour européenne des droits de l\'Homme. C’est simplement une observation complémentaire.
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