Title IV: Citations and meanings

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Article 558

French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
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Updated 7 Nov 2023

If the bailiff does not find anyone at the domicile of the person to whom the writ relates, he shall immediately verify the accuracy of that domicile.

When the address indicated is indeed that of the interested party, the bailiff mentions in the writ his diligence and findings, then he informs the interested party without delay, by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, informing him that he must collect as soon as possible the copy of the writ served at the bailiff's office, against a receipt or a receipt, by the interested party or by any person specially authorised. If the writ is a service of a judgment rendered by iterative default, the registered letter shall mention the nature of the document served and the time limit for appeal.

When it appears from the notice of receipt, signed by the interested party, that he has received the registered letter from the bailiff, the writ deposited at the bailiff's office produces the same effects as if it had been delivered in person.

The bailiff may also, instead of the registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt referred to in the previous paragraphs, send the interested party a copy of the document by ordinary letter or leave a notice at his home inviting the interested party to come to his office to collect the copy of the writ against a receipt or a receipt. The copy and the notice are accompanied by a receipt that the addressee is invited to return by post or to hand in at the bailiff's office, bearing his signature. When the bailiff leaves a calling card, he also sends a simple letter to the person.

When this receipt has been returned, the writ deposited at the bailiff's office produces the same effects as if it had been delivered in person.

If the writ is a summons to appear, it may only produce the effects referred to in the third and fifth paragraphs if the period between, on the one hand, the day on which the notice of receipt is signed by the interested party, the day on which the receipt was returned or the day on which the person appeared at the office and, on the other hand, the day indicated for the appearance before the criminal or police court is at least equal to that set, taking into account the distance from the person's home, by l'article 552.

Mariela Petrova

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Common Questions

Working with a corporate lawyer in France — Q&A

Any time a strategic decision changes how the company is owned, governed or contractually bound — incorporation, fundraising, M&A, restructuring, shareholder agreements, or major commercial contracts. Earlier engagement always costs less than later remediation.

A notary (notaire) is a public officer who authenticates specific deeds (mainly real-estate transfers and certain family-law acts). A corporate lawyer (avocat) advises on strategy, negotiates and drafts company documents, and represents you in disputes. The two roles complement rather than overlap.

Yes — most of our clients are foreign suppliers, investors or holding entities. We bridge the gap between French law and your home jurisdiction's expectations and deliver everything bilingually.

The SAS (Société par Actions Simplifiée) is the default choice for most international structures: flexible governance, single shareholder allowed, no minimum capital, and works cleanly with foreign holding entities. We assess SARL, SA, SCI on the merits when the situation calls for it.

Yes — communications with a French avocat are protected by the secret professionnel (Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971). This protection is broader than the common-law attorney-client privilege and applies to written and oral exchanges.

We work on fixed fees for clearly scoped engagements (incorporation, contract drafting, audits) and on monthly retainers for ongoing advisory. Hourly billing is the exception, not the default. You always know the cost before work starts.

Typical timeline is 2–3 weeks from KYC kick-off to RCS registration, assuming standard documentation. Holding-company structures, foreign-shareholder identification or in-kind contributions can extend this — we flag the gating items at the first meeting.

Absolutely. We routinely coordinate with your in-house counsel, expert-comptable or notaire — pragmatic collaboration is the norm, not the exception. We send them everything they need to do their part without duplicating work.

Mariela Petrova

Mariela Petrova

Avocate au Barreau de Paris

Toque #C2396

15+ Years In Corporate Practice

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Communications protected by professional secrecy — secret professionnel de l'avocat, Article 66-5 of the Law of 31 December 1971.

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