Compensation and Damage Recovery by Specialist French Lawyers

Our bilingual legal team helps businesses and individuals collect overdue payments across France.

Our Process

Compensation & Damages Claims in France Strategic, Legal & Enforceable

Recover financial losses, contractual damages, and economic harm through a lawyer-led, evidence-based process.

When your company, investment, or commercial operation suffers damage in France — whether due to breach of contract, non-performance, professional misconduct, unfair competition, or negligence — French law provides effective remedies to obtain compensation, reparations, and interest.

Our firm handles business-related damages claims for international companies, investors, and entrepreneurs who need fast, structured, and enforceable legal action in France.

We represent both foreign and domestic clients in complex compensation matters, from initial negotiation to full judicial proceedings and enforcement.

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Our Proven Process

Why Work With a French Business Lawyer for Damages Claims?

We provide a complete, lawyer-handled process to secure compensation as quickly and effectively as legally possible.

Obtaining damages in France requires:

Step 1

Proving liability under French civil or commercial law

Step 2

Demonstrating real, quantifiable financial harm

Step 3

Calculating direct and indirect losses

Step 4

Complying with strict procedural rules

Step 5

Presenting evidence and legal arguments in court

Our Process

Our Compensation & Damages Claim Services

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Pre-Action Legal Assessment & Friendly Resolution

Before entering litigation, we conduct a detailed legal and factual assessment of the harm suffered. We then issue a lawyer-drafted formal notice demanding payment of damages and interest.

This step alone resolves many disputes through negotiation or settlement.

Includes:

  • Review of contracts, correspondence & events causing the harm
  •  Identification of legal grounds for liability
  •  Legal calculation of damages (direct loss, consequential loss, margin loss, reputation harm, etc.)
  • Attorney-issued demand letter
  • Negotiation, follow-up and settlement drafting

Goal: obtain compensation quickly and avoid costly litigation.

Protective Measures “Saisie Conservatoire”

When the liable party shows signs of bad faith, insolvency risk, or asset concealment, we initiate urgent asset-freezing actions to secure your future compensation.

Depending on the context, we can freeze:

  • Bank accounts
  • Equipment or moveable assets
  • Receivables
  • Commercial income
  • Real estate assets (in certain cases)


We manage:

  •  Legal risk assessment
  • Preparation of grounds for emergency seizure
  • Petition before the Enforcement Judge (JEX)
  • Coordination with bailiffs
  • Conversion of the seizure into enforceable recovery after judgment

Goal: ensure the debtor cannot avoid paying compensation.

Fast-Track Legal Actions (Where Applicable)

For clearly established contractual breaches, certain claims can be made through accelerated procedures — depending on the type of contract or severity of non-performance.

We assess whether your case qualifies for:

  • Simplified debt-based petitions
  • Summary proceedings (“référé”)
  • Emergency injunctions
  • Provisional compensation awards (“provision à valoir”)

We handle:

  • Filing of the action
  • Court representation
  • Argumentation supported by evidence
  • Enforcement of provisional orders

Timeline: often several weeks for provisional awards.

Full Litigation for Compensation & Damages

When the opposing party contests liability or the extent of damages, we initiate full proceedings before the competent French court (Tribunal de Commerce or Tribunal Judiciaire).

We manage:

  • Drafting and serving the claim (assignation)
  • Hearings, pleadings, and procedural steps
  • Court-appointed expert reports when required
  • Defence against counterclaims
  • Calculation and justification of damages
  • Nationwide enforcement through bailiffs


Damages we typically recover:

  • Loss of profit / margin (“perte de marge”)
  • Operational losses
  • Breach-of-contract damages
  •  Reputational harm (“préjudice d’image”)
  • Business interruption losses
  • Market disruption losses
  • Late payment interest & penalties
  • Legal costs


Foreign judgments from EU, UK, US, Canada, Switzerland and others can also be enforced in France.

Our Process

Transparent & Predictable Fees

Pre-Action Phase

From 850 € HT + success fee
→ Legal analysis, formal notice, negotiation

Accelerated or Summary Procedure

From 1650 € HT + success fee

→ Filing, representation, and provisional award

Full Litigation

From 3900 € HT + success fee
→ Complete representation until final judgment

Enforcement

Quoted individually

→ Based on assets and procedural complexity

600+

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Our Process

We Assist International Business Clients

We regularly represent:

What are compensation and damages claims under French law?

Compensation and damages claims seek financial reparation for a loss suffered due to another party’s fault. Under French law, the claimant must establish:

  • a proven damage (dommage)
  • a fault or breach (faute)
  • a causal link between the two

Without meeting all three elements, compensation cannot be awarded.

Is proof required to claim damages?

Yes. The claimant must provide clear evidence of:

  • the existence of damage
  • its extent and financial value
  • the link to the defendant’s conduct

Speculative or unproven losses are generally rejected.

What types of damages can be claimed in France?

Recoverable damages may include:

  • financial loss (economic damage)
  • loss of opportunity
  • moral or reputational damage
  • contractual penalties where applicable

French courts compensate actual loss rather than punitive damages.

Can damages be claimed for contractual breaches?

Yes. Contractual liability applies when:

  • a valid contract exists
  • contractual obligations were breached
  • the breach caused measurable damage

Limitation or penalty clauses may influence recoverable amounts.

Request Your Free 48h Case Assessment

Send us your unpaid invoices and documents, and our lawyers will review your case at no cost.
You receive a clear recovery evaluation and an initial debtor check within 48 hours.

Protect Your Business With a Contract & GTC Audit

Our lawyers review your contracts and terms to add protective clauses—retention of title, penalties, guarantees—so you avoid future non-payment.
Strengthen your legal framework before issues arise.

More About Compensation & Damages Claims

Are non-financial damages recognized by French courts?

Yes. Courts recognize moral damages, including:

  • emotional distress
  • reputational harm
  • personal inconvenience

Such damages are assessed on a case-by-case basis and must be justified.

Most compensation claims are subject to a 5-year limitation period, starting from:

  • the date the damage was known or should have been known

Certain claims may follow specific statutory time limits.

Yes. Compensation claims may accompany:

  • unpaid invoices
  • contract termination claims
  • enforcement proceedings

Courts assess debt and damage claims separately but within the same proceedings.

Yes. Parties may resolve compensation claims through:

  • negotiated settlements
  • mediation
  • out-of-court agreements

Properly drafted settlements prevent further litigation.

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