ABSTRACT
The concept of actes administratifs is a notion which is virtually impossible to translate into English – which is all the more regrettable in view of the fact that this is a concept which is fundamental to the functioning of the entire administrative system in France. To translate it by ‘administrative instrument’ would be inadequate, since not only does the acte administratif not require the form of a written document, but does not even need to consist in a positive action, since an abstention may also constitute an acte administratif. Probably the term ‘administrative action’ is the nearest approximation to this concept in English law.
