Specialities
Bright Avocats assist individuals and businesses in France and abroad with legal advice and representation.
Our knowledge of French law and jurisdiction is extensive, allowing us to resolve conflicts in various legal fields.
Property Transactions
Buying and selling real estate in France is very different to that in England (or the United States) in that the sale contract becomes binding on both parties at a much earlier stage.
The French notary is in charge of conveyancing, Avocats intervene to ensure that their clients’ interests are correctly represented when the final deed of sale is executed.
Construction
Law
The language barrier and unfamiliarity with the French system are often the source of difficulties that arise with local tradesmen “artisans” and property developers. If litigation is initiated, a French court will appoint an independent expert to assess the damage and establish liabilities. Bright Avocats assists during all stages of the contentious procedure in order to ensure that the expert’s report is as favourable as possible.
Obtaining planning permission or negotiating with the local authorities can also be problematic, requiring expert legal advice and assistance.
Inheritance & Wills /
Tax Planning
Corporate
& Commercial
France has not always attracted investment in this domain due to relatively high corporation tax, the 35-hour working week, high social security contributions and stringent labour law. However, France is at the forefront of certain cutting-edge technologies (IT, aeronautics, telecommunications, etc.) and is attracting more and more foreign investment.
Recent changes in legislation have facilitated the setting-up of companies, in particular by allowing investors to set up a private limited company with only nominal share capital.
If you do intend creating a company in France and possibly employing people, you should be aware of the statutory obligations incumbent upon the employer and / or company director.
Family Law /
Divorce
- Separation and divorce settlement agreements
- Alimony during separation / alimony after divorce
- Child support
This branch of law mainly concentrates on divorce or difficulties which occur after a divorce concerning contact with children or financial support. French Courts will generally entertain jurisdiction if both parties are resident in France.
Property Transaction Legal Assistance
If you’re buying a French property then don’t overlook the importance of using an avocat to advise you and protect your interests.
As you may well know, other than the seller and the buyer, there are usually two people involved in a real estate purchase: the agent and the notaire. But what you may not know is how important it is to be also assisted by an avocat.
Indeed, the process to buy a property is very specific and filled with legal implications that may have major repercussions for you during the transaction and in the future.
Under French law, the purchase of a property is a two-step legal process; you first sign a compromis de vente – your intention to buy – and then, a few months later, you sign the final purchase deed with a notaire.
So, even if one of the notaire’s responsibilities is to help you understand the legal terms in the act, it is always wise to have a second opinion from a different legal professional: an avocat. This is all the more appreciable when you consider that notaires don’t act for clients – their duty is ‘to the transaction’ and to make sure everything is done and recorded properly. An avocat however, acts for their client and protects their interests.
In other words, you cannot expect the same level of advice from a notaire as you would from a French avocat. For example, if you buy a property through a real estate agent, the notaire is only involved at the last stage of signing the final purchase deed.
Having an avocat with you at this stage will guarantee that you ask the right questions and receive the correct answers.
If a problem arises, more often than not, your avocat will have encountered them in previous transactions and will be able to give you the best possible advice on how to resolve the matter.
As it is important that you understand everything that is happening, your avocat will take the necessary time, to help you understand the documents you are signing which are usually only in French.
At BRIGHT AVOCATS we have worked with many clients looking to purchase properties in France. As we have both a mitigation and a litigation department, our firm can deal with every aspect of your purchase.
In our extensive experience assisting English clients with their French property purchase, it is often the presence of an avocat that facilitates the process for all involved parties. Notaires especially appreciate our involvement, as we make sure that you have all the information and documents required in order to be ready for the final signature.
The intervention of an avocat when purchasing property can also save you a great deal of money and heartache in the future too. As BRIGHT AVOCATS also deal with inheritance law, as well as property rights and marital regimes, we will also be able to advise you on the best way to buy the property, based on your own personal situation and your desires for the future.
Lastly, as we appreciate how important it is to be able to react quickly BRIGHT AVOCATS will answer any and all the questions you may have, usually within 24 hours of receiving them.
If you have a property transaction project in South-West France then contact us.