Chapter I: Procedures for implementing genetic characteristic tests and identifications by genetic fingerprinting and informing next of kin

Articles in this section · 12

Article L1131-1-2

French Public Health CodeIn force

Updated 8 Nov 2023

When a person mentioned in 1° or 2° of Article L. 147-2 of the Code de l'action sociale et des familles is diagnosed with a genetic anomaly that may be responsible for a serious condition justifying preventive measures, including genetic counselling, or care, the prescribing doctor shall refer the matter to the Conseil national pour l'accès aux origines personnelles (National Council for Access to Personal Origins) mentioned in Article L. 147-1 of the same Code in order to identify, as appropriate, the person or persons mentioned in 2° of Article L. 147-2 of the said Code or the child mentioned in 1° of the same Article L. 147-2. 147-1 of the same code in order to identify, as appropriate, the person or persons mentioned in 2° of Article L. 147-2 of the said code or the child mentioned in 1° of the same Article L. 147-2.

In both cases, neither the genetic anomaly in question nor the risks associated with it are mentioned in this referral.

The National Council for Access to Personal Origins then informs the person thus identified, under conditions defined by decree to preserve the secrecy of this transmission, of the existence of medical information of a family nature likely to concern him or her and invites him or her to attend a consultation with a doctor qualified in genetics, without disclosing the name of the person who was the subject of the examination or any other information enabling this second person to be identified.

The council will provide the doctor consulted by the person thus informed with the details of the prescribing doctor so that the genetic anomaly in question can be communicated. No other information is transmitted on this occasion by the prescribing doctor.

In order to carry out its duties under this article, the National Council for Access to Personal Origins may use the registration number of persons in the National Register for the Identification of Natural Persons and consult this register. The conditions for such use and consultation are laid down by decree in the Conseil d'Etat, issued after consultation with the Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés.

Mariela Petrova

Need help applying this article to your situation?

A registered French Lawyer explains what applies to your business — in English, fixed fee.

within 48h

Fixed Fee

Talk to a lawyer
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

English · French · Russian

Ready When You Are

Talk To A Corporate
Lawyer In France.

A 20–30 minute call, in English, to scope the engagement. No obligation, no preliminary fee. You will leave the call with a clear view of what the work will cover and what it will cost.

First EngagementFixed Fee

Talk to a French lawyer.

Reply within 24 hours.

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

Continue Reading

Related corporate services in France

01 / Setup

Setting up a French company

Choose between SAS, SARL, SA or SCI — and structure your first French entity around how you actually plan to operate.

Read More
02 / Operating

French commercial contracts

Distribution, agency, supply, services and IP licences — drafted around the protections French law actually gives.

Read More
03 / Disputes

Business disputes & litigation

Shareholder conflicts, commercial breaches and pre-litigation strategy — handled by the same team that knows the file.

Read More