Yes, not sure if this is the case but higher courts in civil law systems tend to have some precedent setting powers. It's just more limited than in common law.

Yes, not sure if this is the case but higher courts in civil law systems tend to have some precedent setting powers. It's just more limited than in common law. I'm not sure if this is the case in this ruling in france, but even if it isn't In a civil law system judges still are aware of previous decisions in similar cases and consistent application of the law is still a principle which exists. The precedent might not be binding but a judge who is in doubt will still uses existing case law and so will appeal courts. They will just always refer to the law as the source of the decision, not the previous cases