Pronunciation: [ɹˈɛnvɔ͡ɪ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "renvoi" may appear confusing at first glance, but it's actually quite straightforward when broken down phonetically. In IPA, "renvoi" is spelled /rɑ̃vwɑ/. The nasalized "ã" sound replaces the "e" in "ren", while "v" and "w" are used interchangeably in French. The final "oi" sound is pronounced as the English "wa". Overall, the spelling of "renvoi" accurately represents its pronunciation in French.
Renvoi is a term originating from French and used in legal contexts, specifically in the field of conflict of laws. It refers to the principle or doctrine that allows a court to refer a legal question to the law of another jurisdiction or to the courts of that jurisdiction. In simpler terms, it is the concept of deferring jurisdiction or referring a legal issue to be resolved by another country's laws.
The notion of renvoi arises when a court is confronted with a situation involving a conflict of laws, where the laws of different jurisdictions may apply. The court may determine that the foreign law, as a whole, governs the case instead of just its internal or domestic law. This process involves examining not only the rules of the foreign law but also the conflict of laws principles of that country.
Renvoi can take two forms: "reception" and "transmission." Reception renvoi occurs when a court accepts and applies the foreign law with its own choice of law rules. Transmission renvoi occurs when a court refers the case back to the original jurisdiction for determining conflict of laws issues.
It is important to note that the acceptance or rejection of renvoi varies across legal systems. Some jurisdictions fully embrace the principle, while others reject or limit its application due to concerns about legal certainty, uniformity, or sovereignty.
In summary, renvoi is a legal principle that allows a court to refer a legal issue to another jurisdiction's laws, either by adopting the foreign law with its own choice of law rules or by returning the case to the original jurisdiction for conflict of laws determination.
The word "renvoi" originates from the French language. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old French word "renveer", which means "to send back" or "to return". "Renvoi" is derived from the infinitive form of this verb, and it ultimately stems from the Latin word "revenire", meaning "to come back". In legal terminology, "renvoi" refers to the principle of referring a question of law back to another jurisdiction for a decision. This term is commonly used in civil law systems.
