Preliminary chapter: Human rights

Articles in this section · 20

L1110-1L1110-1-1L1110-2L1110-2-1L1110-3L1110-3-1L1110-4L1110-4-1L1110-5L1110-5-1L1110-5-2L1110-5-3L1110-6L1110-7L1110-8L1110-9L1110-10L1110-11L1110-12L1110-13

Article L1110-3

French Public Health CodeIn force
Ask for lawyer reviewed or certified translation

Updated 8 Nov 2023

No person may be discriminated against in access to prevention or care.

A healthcare professional may not refuse to treat a person, including refusing to provide emergency contraception, on one of the grounds referred to in the first paragraph of article 225-1 or article 225-1-1 of the French Criminal Code, or on the grounds that the person is entitled to the complementary health protection provided for in article L. 861-1 of the French Social Security Code, or to the assistance provided for in article L. 251-1 of the French Social Action and Family Code.

Any person who believes that he or she has been the victim of an unjustified refusal of care may inform the director of the local health insurance body or the president of the local council of the professional association concerned of the facts from which it may be presumed that such refusal has occurred. This referral is equivalent to filing a complaint. It is communicated to the authority to which it has not been sent. The recipient acknowledges receipt of the complaint, informs the accused healthcare professional and may summon him/her to a meeting within one month of the date on which the complaint was registered.

Except in the case of a repeat offence, a conciliation procedure is carried out within three months of receipt of the complaint by a joint committee made up equally of representatives of the relevant local council of the professional association concerned and the local health insurance body.

If conciliation fails, or in the event of a repeat offence, the president of the council with territorial jurisdiction will forward the complaint to the competent Ordinary Court, giving its reasoned opinion and associating itself where appropriate.

If the territorially competent council fails to act within three months, the director of the local health insurance body may impose a penalty on the healthcare professional under the conditions set out in article L. 162-1-14-1 of the Social Security Code.

Except in emergencies and in cases where the healthcare professional fails in his or her duty of humanity, the principle set out in the first paragraph of this article does not preclude a refusal of care based on a personal or professional requirement that is essential and decisive for the quality, safety or effectiveness of care. Continuity of care must be ensured whatever the circumstances, under the conditions laid down in article L. 6315-1 of this Code.

The procedures for applying this article shall be laid down by regulation.

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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