Bonnefoi

Bonnefoi (French, literally "good faith") is a legal and philosophical concept referring to honesty and sincerity in dealing with others. It implies a state of mind denoting honesty of intention and freedom from knowledge of circumstances which ought to put the holder upon inquiry. It is a key element in contract law, property law, and other areas of law in many jurisdictions, particularly those influenced by civil law traditions.

In legal contexts, Bonnefoi often operates as an affirmative duty, requiring parties to act honestly and reasonably in their dealings, even if not explicitly stated in a contract or other agreement. The precise application and interpretation of Bonnefoi can vary significantly depending on the specific jurisdiction and legal context. Its presence or absence is often determined by assessing the subjective state of mind of the party in question, as well as considering objective factors and the overall context of the transaction or interaction. Acting in Bonnefoi generally precludes actions taken with malicious intent or with the deliberate intention to deceive or take unfair advantage of another party. The opposite of Bonnefoi is "Mauvaise foi," meaning bad faith.