Paragraph 1: Mutual insurance companies with a board of directors and general management

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Article R322-53-2

French Insurance CodeIn force

Updated 7 Nov 2023

I. - The general management of the company is carried out, under the supervision of the Board of Directors and within the framework of the guidelines laid down by the latter, by a natural person appointed by the Board and bearing the title of Managing Director. However, if the company's articles of association so provide, the Chairman of the Board of Directors may assume the role of Chief Executive Officer.

On the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, the Board of Directors may appoint one or more natural persons to assist the Chief Executive Officer, with the title of Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

When the Chief Executive Officer assumes the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors, the company appoints at least one Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

The Articles of Association set the maximum number of Chief Operating Officers, which may not exceed five.

Before appointment, the person proposed for the position of Chief Executive Officer or Deputy Chief Executive Officer must declare all the professional activities and elected offices that he or she intends to retain. The Board of Directors shall decide whether it is compatible with the duties of Chief Executive Officer or Deputy Chief Executive Officer to continue to exercise these activities or duties. Subsequently, it shall also decide on the other activities or functions that the cEO or the dCEO intends to pursue.

II. - The Board of Directors may dismiss the Chief Executive Officer at any time. The same applies to the Deputy Chief Executive Officers, on the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer. If the decision to remove the Chief Executive Officer is taken without just cause, it may give rise to a claim for damages, except where the Chief Executive Officer assumes the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors.

If the Chief Executive Officer ceases or is prevented from carrying out his duties, the Deputy Chief Executive Officers shall retain their duties and powers until the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, unless the Board decides otherwise.

If the Chief Executive Officer or the Deputy Chief Executive Officer has entered into an employment contract with the Company, his or her removal from office shall not have the effect of terminating that contract.

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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