Original research article
Studia Iuridica

The legal personification of watercourses

2025, 109, No. 1

Jacques Leroy

University of Orléans

DOI

10.31338/2544-3135.si.2025-109.10

Publication date

30.04.2026

Publishing model

open access

License type

CC BY 4.0 Int.

Field

Social sciences

Discipline

law

Language of publication

English

Downloads

PDF 285 KB

Article

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Number of downloads:136

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Abstract

The following article explores the notion of rights of nature, i.e., the conferment of legal personality to elements of the natural environment, such as rivers or entire ecosystems, in the context of French law. To support its argumentation, the text draws on the historical conceptualisation of legal personality and its first expansion beyond human beings during the industrial era to include business entities. Moreover, it considers the usefulness of its employment – as well as the potential obstacles – not only in the context of the natural environment, but also the emerging issue of artificial intelligence.

Keywords:

Rights of Nature,legal personality,watercourses,French law

Bibliography

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Gérard F, ‘Entre les personnes et les choses, les centres d’intérêts’ (2002) RTDC 221

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Vanuxem S, Des choses de la nature et de leurs droits (Éditions Quae 2020)

de Toledo C, Le fleuve qui voulait écrire. Les auditions du parlement de Loire (Manuella Éditions 2021)

von Ihering R, The Struggle for Law (John J Lalor tr, Callaghan and Company 1879)

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