Subsection 3: Cross-border partial transfer of assets

Articles in this section · 2

Article R236-38

French Commercial codeIn force

Updated 6 Nov 2023

I.-Where the first paragraph of Article L. 236-48 is applied, the draft partial contribution of assets shall contain the information mentioned in Articles R. 236-21, with the exception of the information provided for in 3°, 4°, 6° and 13°, and R. 236-36, with the exception of the information provided for in 4°, as well as the following information:

1° any amendment to the articles of association of the company transferring part of its assets;

2° A precise description of the assets and liabilities of the company transferring part of its assets and a description of how these assets and liabilities are to be shared with the receiving company or companies or retained by the company transferring part of its assets;

II. II - Where the final paragraph of article L. 236-48 is applied, the draft terms of reference must contain, in addition to the information mentioned in articles R. 236-21 and R. 236-36 and in 1° and 2° of article R. 236-38, the following information:

1° The proposed allocation, for the benefit of the members of the company contributing part of its assets, of the shares or corporate units of either the receiving companies, or the company contributing part of its assets, or both the receiving companies and the company contributing part of its assets, allocated in consideration for the contribution, and the criteria on which this allocation is based;

If the allocation referred to above is to be made to the members of the company contributing part of its assets, the criteria on which this allocation is based must be specified. 2° Whether the allotment referred to in 1° is made either by a reduction in capital or by a deduction from the shareholders' equity of the company contributing part of its assets. In the latter case, the project specifies the accounting terms of the operation.

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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