Paragraph 1: Recognition of European investigation decisions

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Article 694-32

French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force

Updated 7 Nov 2023

The categories of offences for which an investigation decision may not be refused pursuant to 8° of article 694-31 are as follows:

1° Participation in a criminal organisation;

2° Terrorism;

3° Trafficking in human beings;

4° Sexual exploitation of children and child pornography;

5° Trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances ;

6° Trafficking in arms, munitions and explosives;

7° Corruption;

8° Fraud, including fraud affecting the financial interests of the European Communities within the meaning of the Convention of 26 July 1995 on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests;

9° Laundering of the proceeds of crime;

10° Counterfeiting currency, including the euro;

11° Cybercrime ;

12° Crimes and offences against the environment, including trafficking in endangered animal species and trafficking in endangered plant species and essences;

13° Aiding unauthorised entry and residence;

14° Manslaughter, grievous bodily harm ;

15° Trafficking in human organs and tissue;

16° Kidnapping, illegal restraint and hostage-taking;

17° Racism and xenophobia;

18° Organised or armed robbery ;

19° Illicit trafficking in cultural goods, including antiques and works of art;

20° Swindling;

21° Extortion;

22° Counterfeiting and piracy of products;

23° Falsification of administrative documents and trafficking in forgeries ;

24° Falsification of means of payment;

25° Illicit trafficking in hormonal substances and other growth promoters;

26° Illicit trafficking in nuclear and radioactive materials;

27° Trafficking in stolen vehicles ;

28° Rape;

29° Arson;

30° Crimes and offences under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court;

31° Unlawful hijacking of aircraft or ships;

32° Sabotage.

Mariela Petrova

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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

English · French · Russian

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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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