Case Law on Selective Distribution Agreements and Competition

Setting up a selective distribution network allows a supplier to choose its resellers on the basis of defined criteria, in order to preserve its brand image and ensure high-quality marketing. This mechanism, common for luxury, high-tech and cosmetic products, stands at the crossroads of contractual freedom and competition law. Poor structuring of these agreements can […]

Significant Imbalance in French Law

Significant imbalance (déséquilibre significatif) is a central concept of French contract law, designed to restore a form of justice where the economic power of one party threatens to overwhelm the other. Initially developed to protect consumers, its influence has extended to business-to-business relationships and has even been enshrined in the general law of contracts. Navigating […]

The hotel reservation contract: rights and obligations of the customer and the hotelier

A hotel stay, whether for business or pleasure, rests on a fundamental agreement: the hotel contract (contrat d’hotellerie). Often concluded quickly, sometimes without even a formalised written document for a simple overnight stay, this contract nonetheless remains the cornerstone of the relationship between the operator and their guest. It gives rise to specific rights and […]

Understanding aviation insurance: an essential guide for industry players

Aviation insurance is one of the most technical branches of insurance law. Unlike land or marine insurance, it does not have an autonomous legislative body in French law. Its regime is constructed at the crossroads of several sources: European Regulation 785/2004 which imposes minimum obligations, international conventions which frame carrier liability, and the Insurance Code […]

Operating a hotel in France: legal and regulatory framework

The hotel industry is a pillar of the French economy and tourism sector. Behind the apparent simplicity of a room booking lies a complex legal relationship, governed by specific rules. Whether you are a traveller seeking accommodation or a professional operating an establishment, understanding the rights and obligations of each party is essential to ensure […]

International banking law: conflicts of laws

Entering into a banking contract at the international level raises a fundamental question: which law will apply in the event of a dispute? The answer determines the interpretation of clauses, the extent of obligations, and the outcome of potential litigation. In this area, European law enshrines a cardinal principle that gives considerable power to the […]

How to read a court judgement: practical guide to deciphering a court decision

Receiving a court judgment is a significant step, often a source of questions or even anxiety. This official document, drafted in sometimes complex legal language, seals the outcome of a dispute or validates a legal situation. But how do you navigate it? What do the different parts mean? Knowing how to read and understand a […]

Commercial deeds: how to classify your transactions and anticipate their legal consequences

Under French law, classifying a transaction as a “commercial deed” (acte de commerce) triggers the application of a specific legal regime. Far from being a purely theoretical distinction, it directly impacts the rights and obligations of both businesses and individuals. Which transactions are considered commercial? What specific rules apply? And above all, what advantages or […]

URSSAF constraint and individual over-indebtedness: wiping out procedure

When a self-employed worker or individual employer ceases to pay their contributions, URSSAF (the French social security contributions collection agency) has a direct and effective administrative recovery tool at its disposal: the constraint (contrainte). Far from being a mere reminder, this unilateral instrument produces the effects of a court judgment and opens the way to […]

Safeguard, reorganisation and liquidation proceedings: how do they work?

When a business faces a financial crisis, French insolvency law (droit des procédures collectives) offers several mechanisms to organise its rescue or, failing that, the transfer of its activity. The safeguard plan (plan de sauvegarde), the reorganisation plan (plan de redressement) and the asset sale plan (plan de cession) constitute the three possible outcomes of […]

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