Company and business law
The firm advises companies and their directors at every stage of corporate life: incorporation, governance, amendment of the articles of association and relations between shareholders. It acts both as adviser, securing day-to-day decisions, and as counsel defending its clients’ interests in shareholder disputes and insolvency proceedings (*procédures collectives*). This dual approach makes it possible to anticipate difficulties before they escalate into litigation.
How the firm acts
- Day-to-day legal support for companies: ordinary and extraordinary general meetings, articles of association, transfer of the registered office, amendments to the articles
- Incorporation and conversion of companies
- Relations between shareholders: shareholders’ agreements, transfers of shares, exit of a shareholder, voting rights
- Disputes between shareholders: claims for abuse of majority or minority rights (*abus de majorité ou de minorité*), appointment of an interim administrator, removal of a director for good cause, judicial dissolution
- Compliance with the statutory obligations applicable to companies, both generally and sector by sector
- Insolvency and consensual restructuring proceedings (*procédures collectives et amiables*).
Key points of the practice
Incorporation, governance, shareholder relations and insolvency proceedings.
Two offices: Paris and Marseille.
Day-to-day legal advice and the conduct of shareholder disputes.
Assistance in French, English, Italian, Dutch and Arabic.
General principles worth knowing
How are a company’s articles of association amended?
Amending the articles of association requires a collective decision of the shareholders, taken in extraordinary general meeting in accordance with the majority rules laid down by the articles and by statute, and then published and filed with the court registry (*greffe*) in order to be enforceable against third parties.
What is a shareholders’ agreement and what purpose does it serve?
A shareholders’ agreement is a contract entered into between shareholders, separate from the articles of association, which governs their relations: conditions for the transfer of shares, governance, exit and non-compete clauses, often on a confidential basis.
What remedies exist in cases of abuse of majority or minority rights?
A shareholder who considers that a decision contrary to the corporate interest was taken for the sole purpose of favouring certain shareholders to the detriment of others may apply to the court to have it set aside or to obtain damages.
What is the difference between voluntary and judicial dissolution?
Voluntary dissolution results from a decision of the shareholders themselves, whereas judicial dissolution is ordered by a court, in particular where serious disagreement between shareholders paralyses the operation of the company.
When can the firm step in?
- Exemple type
Advising an SME on a transfer of shares.
- Exemple type
Drafting a shareholders’ agreement for a growing company.
- Exemple type
Assistance in a shareholder dispute concerning the removal of a director.
Initial enquiry
Contact the firm about company and business law.
Set out the essential facts, the parties involved and any deadlines. The firm will review the enquiry and carry out its conflict checks before confirming whether it can act.
- Meetings in Paris, Marseille or remotely
- Individuals, executives and companies
- Please send no confidential documents before written confirmation