Comparative Law Researches

Comparative Law Researches

Contingent Substitute Contract in French and Iranian Law: A Comparative Analysis of the Foundations, Effects, and Challenges in the Light of the 2016 Reforms of the French Civil Code

Document Type : مقالات علمی پژوهشی

Author
Mostafa Harati
Assistant Professor, Department of Private Law, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
10.48311/clr.2026.118524.82801
Abstract
The aleatory synallagmatic contract constitutes a distinct category of bilateral agreements wherein the extent-and in some cases the very existence-of the parties’ reciprocal obligations is contingent upon the occurrence of a future, inherently uncertain event. Rooted in Article 1108 of the French Civil Code and its doctrinal parallels within Iranian jurisprudence, this contractual type assigns a pivotal role to the assessment of the contractual equilibrium at the moment of formation. The 2016 reform of the French Civil Code not only refined the definition and legal status of aleatory contracts but also explicitly articulated its interconnections with principles of contractual freedom, economic balance, and grounds for nullity. Conversely, Iranian law, although lacking an explicit statutory designation for this institution, provides a comparable yet structurally distinct framework through general principles of contract law, Islamic jurisprudential maxims-notably Lā Ḍarar (the prohibition of harm) and Gharar (the prohibition of excessive uncertainty)- and specific legislative provisions governing insurance and wagering contracts. Employing a comparative analytical methodology, this study first examines the conceptual foundations and theoretical underpinnings of aleatory synallagmatic contracts within both legal systems. It subsequently analyses their legal effects with particular emphasis on risk transfer, rescission mechanisms, and the maintenance of value equilibrium. Finally, it addresses critical challenges including the boundaries of contractual legitimacy, the protection of the weaker party, and the compatibility of these contracts with the evolving demands of modern electronic commerce. The findings demonstrate that while both legal traditions uphold the acceptance of risk as the core essence of aleatory contracts, the post‑2016 French framework presents a more systematic and codified structure, thereby offering a potential legislative model for Iranian legal reform.
Keywords
Aleatory Synallagmatic Contract
Risk Transfer
Contractual Balance
Contractual Risk
French Civil Code Reform(2016)
Iranian Contract Law
Subjects
 
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