Charlotte GAUCHON
Initial public offering: the complete legal guide for companies
By Charlotte GAUCHON20 July 2025An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is a transformative step for a company, giving it access to the capital markets. Far from being a simple financial operation, it is a complex legal process, requiring meticulous preparation and the involvement of many players. The aim of this article is to provide you with an overview of the main stages and legal issues involved in this major project, the more technical aspects of which are detailed in our dedicated publications. Solent Avocats has a recognised practice in banking and finance law, and can assist companies with such operations. Understanding initial public offerings: definition and issues What is an initial public offering (IPO)? An IPO is the process by which a company offers its shares to the public for the first time on a financial market. By becoming a listed company, it opens up its capital to new investors and...
Dealing with repayment difficulties on home loans
Mortgages, Credit and consumer lawFinancial difficulties can strike anyone. An accident, redundancy or divorce can make it impossible to repay a mortgage. Fortunately, the law provides a number of mechanisms to help borrowers in difficulty. These schemes help to avoid spiralling debt and give borrowers a second chance...Risks covered by export credit insurance
Credit insurance, Credit and consumer lawInternational transactions expose companies to particular risks. Between the time goods leave the country and the time payment is received, a number of events can jeopardise the commercial transaction. Political risk or "country risk" Political risk, now commonly referred to as "country risk", is one of the most common types of...Renegotiation and early repayment of mortgages
Mortgages, Credit and consumer lawThe life of a mortgage is not a long, quiet river. A significant fall in market interest rates, a marked improvement in your financial situation or, on the contrary, temporary difficulties may lead you to consider amending your initial loan contract. Fortunately, the legal framework...Securing your export operations with credit insurance
Credit insurance, Credit and consumer law```html Exporting opens up tempting business prospects, but involves specific risks. How do you protect your cash flow when a foreign customer doesn't pay? Export credit insurance, particularly through Coface, is an essential tool for companies expanding internationally. Export credit insurance policies: three formulas to suit...Export credit insurance: an essential lever
Export credit, Credit and consumer lawIn the arena of international trade, every transaction is accompanied by a multitude of risks. The remoteness of trading partners, political instability in certain regions, currency volatility and the potential insolvency of debtors are major obstacles for exporting companies. These uncertainties can turn a promising business opportunity into a financial nightmare. Credit insurance...Bank accounts: opening, operation and legal particularities
Bank account, Banking and stock market lawModern life demands a bank account. Its absence complicates payments, income collection and social integration. Yet the legal aspects of the right to a bank account are often poorly understood by the general public. The right to an account: a mechanism for banking inclusion The legislator has created a "right to an account" to combat banking exclusion. The article...Conflicts of interest in the banking sector: prevention and management
Conflicts of interest, Banking and securities lawBanking institutions often wear many hats: lender, shareholder, securities distributor, advisor, etc. This inherent versatility creates fertile ground for the emergence of conflicts of interest. High-profile cases such as the Enron scandal in the United States and the LVMH v Morgan Stanley dispute in France are painful reminders of this.The European System of Central Banks: architecture and operation
Banking and securities lawUnderstanding the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) is essential to grasping Europe's monetary mechanisms. This complex structure, born of the Maastricht Treaty, governs our daily economic life without us always being aware of it. 1 Introduction to the ESCB and the Eurosystem Definition and composition of the ESCB The ESCB, created...Loan insurance: issues and developments
Mortgages, Credit and consumer lawGot your mortgage? Congratulations. But don't forget loan insurance, which is often relegated to second place during negotiations, but is nonetheless essential. It can account for a substantial proportion of the total cost of your loan, sometimes up to 30% or even more, depending on your profile and cover. Its role is...Internal credit insurance: protecting receivables on the domestic market
Credit insurance, Credit and consumer lawCompanies that sell on credit are exposed to the risk of non-payment. This risk, which is often overlooked, can jeopardise their cash flow and even their survival. Internal credit insurance offers protection against this threat. Scope of internal credit insurance Traditional insolvency insurance Internal credit insurance mainly protects against the insolvency of debtors. However, this concept...Export credits and European law: between prohibition and harmonisation
Export credit, Credit and consumer lawExport credits are an essential tool in international trade. In the European Union, they are governed by a complex legal framework, between competition law and the common commercial policy. Understanding these rules is crucial for exporting companies and their banks. State aid prohibited in the EU is...Bank round tables in international loans: mechanisms and precautions
Export credit, Credit and consumer lawThe financing of major international projects often exceeds the capacity of a single banking institution. In such cases, it is essential to set up a banking "pool" to spread the risks and raise sufficient capital. The need for banking pools Against a backdrop of international competition...Bank accounts for vulnerable people: protection and legal precautions
Bank account, Banking and stock market lawIn a financial world, access to a bank account is an essential right. This article, while focusing on the general principles governing the opening, operation and essential legal features of bank accounts, concentrates on the special protections available. Minors, protected adults and financially vulnerable people are all entitled to a bank account.Banking ethics rules: specific protection for professionals and local authorities
Conflicts of interest, Banking and securities lawBanking is not just a matter for individuals. Companies and local authorities, major economic players, also benefit from specific protections in their dealings with financial institutions. A set of ethical rules, complementing the legal framework, aims to balance this relationship and guarantee fair practices...European monetary policy: key pillars and mechanisms
Banking and securities lawThe workings of European monetary policy are sometimes obscure to the uninitiated. Yet this mechanism influences our economies on a daily basis. This article deciphers the objectives and instruments that define this major Community policy. 1 Main objectives of the ESCB Price stability as an absolute priority The primary mission of the...Formation of a mortgage contract
Mortgages, Credit and consumer lawBuying a property usually involves taking out a loan. This may seem like a straightforward operation, but in reality it is governed by strict rules designed to protect the borrower. The mortgage contract is not formed instantly, but follows a precise, sequenced process. Understanding these stages is essential if you are to...Credit unions: fundamental principles and legal framework
Credit unions, Banking and stock exchange lawThe French banking landscape includes players that are less well known to the general public, but whose economic weight remains considerable: the credit cooperatives. These institutions now account for more than two-thirds of bank financing for the French economy. Major groups such as Crédit Agricole, Crédit Mutuel and Crédit Agricole de France are...Property leasing: specific situations and special arrangements
Leasing, Credit and consumer lawProperty leasing is a powerful financing tool, but its structure can take different forms depending on a company's needs. Unlike traditional credit, leasing combines rental and purchase options in a sophisticated legal arrangement defined by article L. 313-7 of the French Monetary and Financial Code. Controlling the...The administration of syndicated loans: legal and operational issues
Syndicated credit, Credit and consumer lawSyndicated loans are an essential tool for financing large-scale projects. This technique makes it possible to spread the risk between several banks while ensuring harmonised credit management. The effectiveness of this mechanism depends on rigorous organisation and a clear definition of roles. 1. Centralised administration...Ethical banking rules: protecting private individuals
Conflicts of interest, Banking and securities lawHow do you navigate the jungle of bank charges? What protection is there for vulnerable customers? Under pressure from regulators and consumer associations, the French banking sector has developed a vast body of rules of good conduct. These professional standards, which are often ignored by the general public, nevertheless constitute...
EN 
FR