Recovering money from a French company — the practical reality
If you are a creditor based in the UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands or anywhere outside France, and a French company owes you money, you face two specific challenges : distance and an unfamiliar legal system. The good news is that recovering a B2B debt in France is highly doable when handled by a French lawyer — and most often resolved without going to court.
We are a Paris-based law firm specialised exclusively in B2B debt recovery. Our practice is built on three principles : a flat fee for the formal notice (€189 ex VAT), fully digital handling (you stay where you are), and nationwide reach in France through dematerialised court procedures (RPVA, e-Barreau).
It does not matter. As a Paris Bar Attorney, our jurisdiction extends to all French courts. We routinely act for creditors based in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and beyond.
Three layers of action — from informal pressure to court enforcement
1. Formal notice
Letter from a Paris Bar attorney, sent by registered mail (LRAR). About 40% of cases settle at this stage, without court proceedings.
2. Payment order
Fast-track court procedure (injonction de payer). No hearing. Enforceable order in 2 to 3 months when the debt is undisputed.
3. Asset freezing
European Account Preservation Order (EAPO) for EU creditors, or French saisie conservatoire. Surprise effect: the debtor cannot move funds.
Why creditors choose us
- Pure focus on B2B debt recovery. We don't dabble — that is all we do.
- Flat-fee transparency. €189 ex VAT for the formal notice — no hidden costs, no hourly billing surprise.
- Reply within 1 business hour on every inbound enquiry.
- Nationwide French reach via dematerialised court procedures. You don't need a local Paris office or a French postal address.
- 13+ published court decisions obtained for our clients (anonymised PDFs available here).
- Bilingual: full handling in English with a French Bar attorney.
Across hundreds of cases handled by Maître Yankel Bensimhon since the firm was founded. Selected court decisions are publicly available as anonymised PDFs.
Specific situations we handle daily
Cross-border B2B invoice
You delivered services or goods, the French client signed off, and now refuses to pay or stalls. Average claim > €5,000.
SaaS / consulting fees
Subscription unpaid, milestone fee withheld, scope-creep claim used as pretext. Highly common in cross-border tech contracts.
Manufacturing / supply
Goods delivered (FOB / DDP / Incoterms), invoices sent, no contestation, payment never made.
Construction / engineering
Retentions held back, milestone non-paid, dispute over snags used to delay. Average claim much higher (€15-50K+).
For commercial claims under French law, the statute of limitation is 5 years from the original due date (Art. L.110-4 of the French Commercial Code). The longer you wait, the more likely the debtor reorganises or becomes insolvent. Most of our successful recoveries are launched within 30 to 90 days of the missed payment.
Tell us about your case
Outline your situation — Maître Bensimhon will reply personally within 1 business hour.
Reply within 1 business hour
Ready to act?
Submit your case for free assessment, or send a formal notice for €189 flat.
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