Nicolas-Joseph Philpin de Piépape - Observations sur les loix criminelles de France [complet des six Mémoires] - 1789-1790

Nicolas-Joseph Philpin de Piépape (1731-1793). Observations on the criminal laws of France. Paris, Belin, 1789-1790, iv-556 pp.

A quarto volume (260x200 mm), full calf, gilt border on the edges in a frame, spine with raised bands ornamented, title pieces of black morocco, gilded edges (binding of the period). Overall binding in good condition. Interior fresh.

Original edition; complete with the six Mémoires

Observations on the criminal laws of France by Nicolas-Joseph Philpin de Piépape, magistrate of the bailliage and presidial of Langres.

The work sits within the debates of the late Ancien Régime on reform of criminal justice: commissioned by Louis XVI to work on the revision of the criminal laws, Philpin de Piépape wrote several memoirs devoted to the functioning of French criminal justice. The edition is complete with the 6 memoirs.

His approach is more reformist than revolutionary: Philpin de Piépape does not entirely reject the Criminal Ordinance of 1670, of which he recognizes the coherence of the procedure, but he examines improvements that could be made to the legislation and to judicial practice.