Chapter III: Common rules governing the practice of the profession

Articles in this section · 14

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Article L4113-14

French Public Health CodeIn force
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Updated 7 Nov 2023

In urgent cases, where the continued practice of a doctor, dental surgeon or midwife exposes his or her patients to serious danger, the Director General of the regional health agency responsible for the professional's place of practice shall order the immediate suspension of the right to practise for a maximum period of five months. The Director General will hear the professional concerned within three days of the suspension decision.

The Director General of the Regional Health Agency responsible for the professional's place of practice immediately informs the President of the relevant Departmental Council of his decision and immediately refers the matter to the Regional or Inter-regional Council when the danger is linked to the practitioner's infirmity, pathological condition or professional inadequacy, or to the Disciplinary Chamber of First Instance in other cases. The regional or inter-regional council or the disciplinary chamber of first instance shall take a decision within two months of the matter being referred to it. In the absence of a decision within this time limit, the matter is referred to the National Council or the National Disciplinary Chamber, which gives its decision within two months. In the absence of a decision within this period, the suspension measure shall automatically terminate.

The Director General of the Regional Health Agency responsible for the professional's place of practice shall also inform the health insurance bodies responsible for the professional concerned by his decision and the State representative in the department.

The Director General of the regional health agency responsible for the professional's place of practice may at any time end the suspension he has ordered if he is satisfied that the danger no longer exists. He will inform the competent departmental council and regional or inter-regional council and, where appropriate, the competent disciplinary chamber, as well as the health insurance bodies and the representative of the State in the department.

A doctor, dental surgeon or midwife whose right to practise has been suspended in accordance with the procedure laid down in this article may appeal against the decision of the Director General of the Regional Health Agency responsible for the professional's place of practice to the Administrative Court, which shall give an interim ruling within forty-eight hours.

The procedures for applying this article shall be defined by decree in the Conseil d'Etat.

This article does not apply to doctors, dental surgeons and midwives who come under the provisions of article L. 4138-2 of the Defence Code.

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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