Subsection 6: Recognition of the professional qualifications of nationals of a Member State of the European Community or of another State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area.

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Article R2223-136

French General Code of Local AuthoritiesIn force

Updated 5 Nov 2023

The programme and organisational procedures for the aptitude test and adaptation course are set by joint order of the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Health.

The adaptation course provided for in Article L. 2223-50 is provided by a funeral authority, company or association authorised in accordance with Article L. 2223-23 and who carries out the funeral activity for which recognition of professional qualifications is sought.

This training period consists of carrying out, as a trainee and under the responsibility of a qualified professional, the professional activity for which the applicant wishes to obtain recognition of his qualifications.

The adaptation traineeship is assessed by the person responsible for the traineeship, and validated by the prefect or, for the duties of thanatopractor, by the minister responsible for health. The Prefect, after obtaining the opinion of the Minister for Health in the case of thanatopractor positions, may extend the training course once only, for an equivalent maximum duration, if the required level is not deemed to have been reached. The maximum duration of the training period may not exceed two years for thanatopractors and one year for other functions.

Passing the aptitude test is validated by the prefect or, for the functions of thanatopractor, by the minister responsible for health. In the event of failure, the prefect, after obtaining the opinion of the minister in charge of health for the functions of thanatopractor, may propose that the applicant retake the aptitude test or undergo an adaptation course.

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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