Commercial, business and competition law
Case law on franchise agreements in competition law
By Yasmine EDDAM29 June 2025The franchise contract is a complex contractual structure at the crossroads of distribution law and competition law. For companies, it represents a formidable lever for development, but its implementation exposes them to significant legal risks if it is not properly mastered. The key question is how to reconcile the restrictions necessary for the proper operation of the network with the prohibition on anti-competitive agreements. Our firm, which is competent to advise you on your franchise agreements, has observed that many disputes arise from a poor assessment of this balance. Before exploring the case law, it is essential to remember that franchising is a form of vertical agreement, the general issues of which can be grasped from the full guide. This article focuses specifically on the way in which the authorities and the courts analyse these agreements. For an overview, to understand the nature and operation of the franchise agreement, and to...
River boats: what licences and certificates are required to sail in France?
Commercial, business and competition law, NavigationOwning and operating a boat on French waterways, whether for transporting goods, receiving passengers or even for stationary activities, is more than just knowing how to manoeuvre. A dense set of regulations governs the commissioning of boats and the qualifications of those authorised to operate them...Inland navigation policing: what rules need to be observed on French rivers and canals?
Commercial, business and competition law, NavigationSailing on French inland waterways, whether for the transport of goods or passengers, or simply for pleasure, is not a totally free activity. Far from it. A precise regulatory framework governs this practice, aimed above all at ensuring the safety of people and property,...The letter of intent: understanding this key commitment in business law
Commercial, business and competition law, Letter of intentThe letter of intent is a mechanism frequently encountered in the business world, particularly within groups of companies. However, its precise legal nature and the real scope of the commitment it represents are often misunderstood. Is it simply a moral declaration or a genuine binding obligation? This article...Protecting your personal property assets: the guide to unseizability for sole traders
Commercial, business and competition lawStarting a business as a sole trader is a stimulating adventure, but it entails considerable risks for your personal assets. Unlike a company, which has its own legal personality and therefore, in principle, its own assets separate from yours, a sole trader directly commits the person...The savings bond: a financing tool you need to know about
Sales slip, Commercial, business and competition lawLess well known than the traditional bank loan or share issue, the savings bond is nevertheless a financial instrument that can be relevant both for companies seeking to diversify their sources of financing and for savers looking for investments. This instrument, which is governed by specific rules, deserves a closer look...Recent developments in commercial leases: what's changing for your business?
Commercial leases, Commercial, business and competition lawThe law is never static, and the field of commercial leases, which is essential to economic life, is no exception to this rule. In recent years, a number of major legislative texts, as well as exceptional situations such as the health crisis, have modified or clarified certain important aspects of the status of commercial leases. The...Commercial signs under French law: a practical guide for businesses
Commercial, business and competition lawA sign is much more than a simple panel above a shop window. It is often the first visual contact between a business and its potential customers, an essential landmark in the urban or commercial landscape. It plays an active part in the identity and reputation of a business, a craftsman or even a liberal profession....The promissory note: a payment and credit tool to be mastered
Commercial, business and competition lawA promissory note may seem like a financial instrument reserved for insiders. However, this binding document is more common than you might think in business life, particularly for organising deferred payments between business partners. It is a written promise by which a person (the subscriber) undertakes to pay a specified amount...Register of beneficial owners: what you need to know for your company
Beneficial owner, Commercial, business and competition lawFinancial transparency is no longer an option, but a requirement in today's economic landscape. At the heart of this approach in France is the register of beneficial owners, a system that now concerns almost all legal structures, from commercial companies to associations. Directors, partners, heads of organisations: understanding...Access to information, sanctions and new obligations for beneficial owners
Beneficial owner, Commercial, business and competition lawThe register of beneficial owners is intended to increase transparency about the actual control of companies. But this transparency raises a legitimate question: who has the right to consult this sometimes sensitive information? And do the obligations relating to beneficial owners stop at the reporting company? As...RCS declaration: the core of companies' obligations regarding beneficial owners
Beneficial owner, Commercial, business and competition lawHave you identified your company's beneficial owner(s)? This is a necessary step, but the work does not stop there. The central obligation arising from this identification is the official declaration of this information to the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés (RCS). This formality is not...The beneficial owner: definition, identification and entities concerned
Beneficial owner, Commercial, business and competition lawTransparency has become an increasingly important requirement in the business world. Against this backdrop, particularly in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT), one concept has taken on considerable importance for many companies: that of "beneficiary".Marine insurance explained: cover, contracts and claims
Insurance, Commercial, Business and Competition LawThe incessant ballet of ships on the oceans is the invisible engine of our globalised economy. But this formidable logistical machine is exposed to the vagaries of the sea and a multitude of risks. To enable those involved in maritime trade to operate with a minimum of security, marine insurance...Marine insurance claims: management, compensation and special features
Insurance, Commercial, Business and Competition LawFor anyone involved in the maritime world, a claim is the dreaded moment when the risks inherent in the sea materialise. It is also the moment when the insurance contract is put to the test: the promised protection must become a tangible reality in the form of compensation. But the path between the occurrence...The marine insurance contract: conclusion, content and performance
Insurance, Commercial, Business and Competition LawWhile marine insurance provides an essential safety net for activities at sea, it is the contract that weaves the net. This document, or set of documents, formalises the agreement between the insurer and the insured, defining the extent of cover, the obligations of each party and the conditions of compensation. For insurance professionals...Understanding marine insurance: its scope and specific risks
Insurance, Commercial, Business and Competition LawMaritime transport is a vital artery of the global economy, carrying the vast majority of goods traded on the planet. But the sea, a source of prosperity, is also an unpredictable and potentially dangerous environment. To safeguard these essential activities, a protection mechanism has developed over the years...Air charter: understanding the contract and responsibilities
Chartering, Commercial, business and competition lawPerhaps you have already travelled on a charter flight for your holidays, or your company has organised a specific trip for a team. Behind these situations often lies a special contractual mechanism: air charter. Although common in the world of transport, this contract remains little known to the general public...Accelerated Safeguarding: a fast way to restructure your company's debts
Commercial, business and competition law, Companies in difficultyFinancial difficulties are a fact of business life. Fortunately, French law offers a number of tools for anticipating and dealing with them before a situation becomes irremediable. Among these tools, the accelerated safeguard procedure stands out as a fast and effective solution, particularly suited to companies that are experiencing financial difficulties....Adding value to your brand: understanding assignment and licensing
Commercial, business and competition law, TrademarksA strong, well-established and protected brand is much more than just a distinctive sign. It is a precious intangible asset at the heart of your company's value. Beyond its protective role, this brand can become a source of revenue or a strategic lever. How can it do this? Mainly through...Commercial court: which one to choose? Guide to geographical jurisdiction
Commercial, business and competition lawYou have determined that your commercial dispute falls within the jurisdiction of the Commercial Court. This is an essential step. But there's another, equally fundamental question that arises immediately: which commercial court should you take your case to? The one in your town? The one where your...
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