Section 1: General provisions and differentiated exercise of powers

Articles in this section · 9

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Article L1111-1-1

French General Code of Local AuthoritiesIn force
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Updated 8 Nov 2023

Locally elected representatives are members of councils elected by universal suffrage to freely administer local authorities under the conditions laid down by law. They exercise their mandate in compliance with the ethical principles enshrined in this charter for local elected representatives.

Charter for local elected representatives

1. The local elected representative carries out his duties with impartiality, diligence, dignity, probity and integrity.

2. In the exercise of his mandate, the local elected representative pursues the sole general interest, to the exclusion of any interest that is personal to him, directly or indirectly, or of any other particular interest.

3. The local councillor shall ensure that any conflict of interest is prevented or ended immediately. Where his personal interests are involved in matters submitted to the deliberative body of which he is a member, the local elected representative undertakes to make them known before the debate and vote.

4. The local elected representative undertakes not to use the resources and means made available to him for the exercise of his mandate or duties for other purposes.

5. In the performance of his duties, the local elected representative shall refrain from taking any measures granting him a future personal or professional advantage after the termination of his mandate and duties.

6. The local elected representative attends meetings of the deliberative body and of the bodies to which he has been appointed.

7. As a product of universal suffrage, local elected representatives are and remain accountable for their actions for the duration of their term of office to all citizens of the local authority, to whom they are answerable for actions and decisions taken in the course of their duties.

Any local elected representative may consult a compliance officer responsible for providing any advice that may be useful in complying with the ethical principles enshrined in this charter.

A decree in the Conseil d'Etat shall determine the procedures and criteria for appointing compliance officers.

>The local elected representative may consult a compliance officer responsible for providing any advice that may be useful in complying with the ethical principles enshrined in this charter.

The local elected representative may consult a compliance officer responsible for providing any advice that may be useful in complying with the ethical principles enshrined in this charter.

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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