Disciplinary and administrative sanctions law
The firm defends its clients in disputes with public authorities, educational institutions, professional regulatory bodies and sports federations. It acts at every stage of disciplinary proceedings, from advice at the outset through to representation before appeal bodies. This expertise extends to individuals as well as to professionals subject to the ethical rules of a regulatory body.
How the firm acts
- Disputes with the public authorities: the tax authorities, independent administrative authorities (CNIL, CADA, CSA) and independent public authorities (AMF), following accounting audits and dawn raids (*visites domiciliaires*), settlements and deferred prosecution agreements (*convention judiciaire d’intérêt public*)
- Disputes with educational institutions (secondary and higher education): examination fraud, temporary and permanent exclusion; disciplinary boards and appeals before the CNESER
- Disputes within professional regulatory bodies and sports federations: disciplinary sanctions (from a warning to being struck off), hearings before the disciplinary board and the national disciplinary chamber, and appeals on points of law (*cassation*).
Key points of the practice
Two offices: Paris and Marseille.
Work before public authorities, professional regulatory bodies and sports federations.
Disciplinary advice and defence, from a warning through to striking off.
Assistance to companies, professionals and students.
Lawyers acting in this area
Marie-José LEFEBVRE
Of counselA graduate of the French National Tax School (*École nationale des impôts*), Marie-José Lefebvre practised in the tax audit and tax litigation departments. She has been a member of the Paris Bar…
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Bouziane BEHILLIL
Partner · Paris officeCo-founder and managing partner of Cambacérès Avocats since November 2014, Bouziane Behillil has been a member of the Paris Bar since January 1992. He holds a DESS postgraduate degree in business and…
View profileGeneral principles worth knowing
What disciplinary sanctions may be imposed by a professional regulatory body?
Disciplinary sanctions imposed by professional bodies range, according to the seriousness of the facts, from a warning to a reprimand, temporary suspension and, ultimately, striking off, and are pronounced by the competent disciplinary panel.
How do proceedings before the CNESER work?
The National Council for Higher Education and Research, sitting in a disciplinary capacity, hears appeals against the decisions of the disciplinary panels of institutions and rules following adversarial proceedings.
What happens where examination fraud is suspected?
A student accused of examination fraud is summoned before the disciplinary panel of their institution, where they may be assisted by a legal adviser and put forward their defence before any decision is taken.
What remedies are available against a decision of an independent administrative authority?
Decisions of authorities such as the CNIL, the CADA or the AMF may, depending on their nature, be challenged before the competent administrative or judicial courts, within the applicable time limits.
When can the firm step in?
- Exemple type
Defending a professional before the disciplinary panel of their regulatory body.
- Exemple type
Assisting a student accused of examination fraud.
- Exemple type
Assisting a company during an investigation by an independent administrative authority.
Initial enquiry
Contact the firm about disciplinary and administrative sanctions 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