Paragraph 2: Provisions applicable to compensation for personal injury.

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Article R421-5

French Insurance CodeIn force

Updated 7 Nov 2023

When the insurer intends to invoke the nullity of the insurance contract, its suspension or the suspension of cover, non-insurance or partial insurance against the victim or his beneficiaries, he must, by registered letter or by electronic registered letter, with acknowledgement of receipt, declare this to the guarantee fund and attach to his declaration the supporting documents for his exception; he must at the same time and in the same manner notify the victim or his beneficiaries, specifying the number of the contract.

If the insurer intends to contest the existence of the insurance contract, notwithstanding the presentation by the person responsible for the accident of the supporting document referred to in article R. 211-15, it must, on the one hand, declare this without delay to the guarantee fund by registered letter or by electronic registered letter, with acknowledgement of receipt and, on the other hand, notify the victim or his successors at the same time and in the same manner.

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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