Chapter I: General provisions

Articles in this section · 10

706-47-1706-47-2706-47-4706-48706-49706-50706-51706-51-1706-52706-53

Article 706-52

French Code of Criminal ProcedureIn force
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Updated 7 Nov 2023

During the investigation and information, the hearing of a minor who is the victim of one of the offences referred to in Article 706-47 shall be the subject of an audiovisual recording. Under the same conditions, the hearing of a minor who is the victim of one of the offences provided for in articles 222-33-2-2 and 222-33-2-3 of the Criminal Code may be the subject of an audiovisual recording.

The recording provided for in the previous paragraph may be exclusively audio by decision of the public prosecutor or investigating judge, if justified by the interests of the minor.

The public prosecutor, investigating judge or judicial police officer in charge of the investigation or acting under a rogatory commission may request any qualified person to make this recording. The provisions of Article 60 of this Code shall apply to this person, who shall be bound by professional secrecy under the conditions of Article 11.

A copy of the recording shall also be made for the purpose of facilitating subsequent consultation during the proceedings. This copy shall be placed in the file. The original recording is placed under closed seal.

By decision of the investigating judge, the recording may be viewed or listened to during the proceedings. The copy of the latter may, however, be viewed or listened to by the parties, lawyers or experts, in the presence of the investigating judge or a court clerk.

The last eight paragraphs of Article 114 of the Code of Criminal Procedure do not apply to the recording. The copy of the latter may, however, be viewed by the parties' lawyers at the courthouse under conditions that guarantee the confidentiality of such viewing.

When the recording cannot be made due to a technical impossibility, this is mentioned in the hearing minutes, which specify the nature of this impossibility. If the hearing takes place during the investigation or on the basis of a letter rogatory, the public prosecutor or investigating judge is immediately notified.

The dissemination by any person of a recording or copy made pursuant to this article is punishable by one year's imprisonment and a fine of 15,000 euros.

At the end of a period of five years from the date on which the public prosecution was extinguished, the recording and its copy shall be destroyed within one month.

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

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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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