Subsection 1: General provisions applicable to companies established in France

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Article R123-6

French Commercial codeIn force
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Updated 6 Nov 2023

Articles R. 112-11-1 to R. 112-11-4 of the Code des relations entre le public et l'administration (Code on relations between the public and the administration) are, unless otherwise provided for in this article, applicable to the procedures for referring a matter to the single body and to exchanges between the registrant and this single body.

By way of derogation from the last three paragraphs of Article R. 112-11-1 of the same code, the electronic acknowledgement of receipt issued by the single body shall mention the recipient bodies and competent authorities to which the single dossier has been sent via the single body.

The single body shall send the declarant the electronic acknowledgement of receipt. The single body will send the registrant the electronic acknowledgement of receipt of the single dossier sent to it by each of these bodies or authorities.

The single body will send the registrant the electronic acknowledgement of receipt of the single dossier sent to it by each of these bodies or authorities. In the event of an additional request from a recipient body or competent authority, the single body will inform the declarant of the additional information and documents required to examine the dossier, which the declarant must send via the single body, and, if the foreseeable processing time is exceeded, of the reasons given by the body or authority mentioned above.

When it has to send authentic instruments, the single body will send the declarant an electronic acknowledgement of receipt of the single dossier. Where the original of authentic instruments or private deeds is required, the registrant shall attach a digitised copy of the documents concerned to the file defined in Article R. 123-3 of this Code, and shall submit the originals, together with a printout of the electronic acknowledgement of receipt, to the bodies or authorities concerned.

The single body shall inform the registrant of the reasons for the delay. The single body will inform the registrant of the decisions taken by the bodies or authorities, as communicated to it.

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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