By Yasmine EDDAM
2 May 2025
Bills of convenience are one of the riskiest practices in the field of payment instruments. These fictitious securities, created without any real economic counterpart, expose their signatories to serious legal consequences. Their use, although tempting for companies in difficulty, constitutes an offence that is severely punished under French law. What is a bill of convenience? A bill of convenience is a document of exchange (bill of exchange or promissory note) created to deceive third parties. The document is issued when the parties know full well that there will be no funds available for payment on the due date. Unlike legitimate commercial paper, which evidences a real claim, a bill of convenience is not based on any genuine commercial transaction. It is issued solely to create the appearance of a sound economic activity or to obtain undue credit. Case law has gradually refined this concept. A ruling...
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