Secure Your Legal Agreements with a French Lawyer

Nadezda Bonniot-Alupova — French-qualified lawyer, member of the Draguignan Bar, advising international and Russian-speaking clients throughout France.

Telephone in France: 04 22 47 00 26
WhatsApp / Telegram: +33 6 26 05 54 09

When entering into a legal agreement in France, many foreign individuals and international businesses assume that every important document must be notarised. In reality, French law offers another highly valuable legal instrument: the attorney-countersigned deed, known in French as an acte d’avocat.

An attorney-countersigned deed combines the flexibility of a private agreement with the legal security provided by a qualified French lawyer. It is widely used to formalise agreements while ensuring that the parties fully understand their rights and obligations under French law.

Whether you are purchasing property, investing in a French company, lending money to a family member, or negotiating a commercial agreement, an attorney-countersigned deed can provide significant legal protection.

What Is an Attorney-Countersigned Deed?

An attorney-countersigned deed is a private legal agreement drafted or reviewed and countersigned by a French lawyer.

Unlike a simple contract downloaded from the internet or drafted without legal assistance, the lawyer confirms that:

the parties have been properly identified;
each party has legal capacity to enter into the agreement;
the legal consequences have been fully explained;
the parties have given informed consent;
the agreement complies with French law;
the document accurately reflects the parties’ intentions.

This gives the agreement enhanced evidential value in the event of a future dispute.

The lawyer’s countersignature is not merely a formality. It demonstrates that independent legal advice has been provided and that the parties entered into the agreement with full knowledge of its legal implications.

Why Choose an Attorney-Countersigned Deed?

Many disputes arise because contracts are copied from templates that do not reflect the parties’ actual situation or fail to comply with French law.

An attorney-countersigned deed offers a much higher level of legal certainty.

Its advantages include:

greater legal security;
enhanced evidential value before French courts;
customised drafting for your specific circumstances;
compliance with French legislation;
reduced risk of future litigation;
clear allocation of rights and obligations;
legal advice tailored to your objectives.

For international clients unfamiliar with the French legal system, professional legal drafting is particularly important.

Who Can Benefit from This Service?

We regularly assist:

foreign nationals purchasing property in France;
expatriates relocating to France;
international investors;
entrepreneurs establishing businesses in France;
mixed-nationality couples;
family members organising private financial arrangements;
companies entering into commercial agreements governed by French law.

Types of Agreements We Can Prepare

Every situation is different. We draft agreements tailored to the specific needs of each client.

Our services include:

Real Estate Agreements

Real estate transactions often involve substantial financial commitments.

We prepare and review agreements relating to:

private property sales;
preliminary sale agreements;
co-ownership arrangements;
occupancy agreements;
family property arrangements;
investment structures;
agreements between co-purchasers.

For foreign buyers, we also verify that the proposed arrangements are consistent with French property law, inheritance rules and, where appropriate, matrimonial property regimes.

Loan Agreements

Loans between family members, friends or business partners should always be documented.

A professionally drafted agreement helps avoid misunderstandings and provides clear evidence of:

the amount lent;
repayment terms;
interest (if applicable);
guarantees;
consequences of default.

Share Purchase Agreements

When acquiring or transferring shares in a French company, properly drafted documentation is essential.

We assist with:

share purchase agreements;
transfer documentation;
warranties;
representations;
completion mechanisms;
post-completion obligations.

Shareholders’ Agreements

Shareholders’ agreements define how a company will be managed and help prevent conflicts.

Typical provisions include:

voting rights;
management powers;
dividend policy;
exit mechanisms;
transfer restrictions;
deadlock resolution;
confidentiality.

Commercial Contracts

Businesses operating in France frequently require contracts that comply with French commercial law.

We draft:

service agreements;
consultancy agreements;
agency agreements;
distribution agreements;
supplier contracts;
partnership agreements;
confidentiality agreements (NDAs);
settlement agreements.

Family and Private Agreements

Legal certainty is equally important in personal matters.

We prepare agreements concerning:

financial arrangements between partners;
family loans;
acknowledgements of debt;
private settlements;
ownership arrangements;
asset management.

International Clients

Cross-border situations often involve several legal systems.

We regularly advise clients living outside France who need agreements governed by French law.

Our work may include consideration of:

conflict of laws;
international taxation;
foreign matrimonial property regimes;
succession issues;
residence status;
powers of attorney;
cross-border enforcement.

Where necessary, we coordinate with foreign lawyers, accountants and notaries to ensure a coherent legal strategy.

Attorney-Countersigned Deed or Notarial Deed?

Foreign clients frequently ask whether they need a notary or a lawyer.

The answer depends on the nature of the transaction.

Certain legal acts—such as the final transfer of ownership of French real estate—must be executed before a French notary.

However, many agreements do not require notarisation and may instead be prepared as attorney-countersigned deeds.

In many situations, involving a lawyer before the notarial stage provides substantial added value. We help negotiate the terms, identify legal risks, draft bespoke clauses and protect your interests throughout the transaction.

Rather than replacing the notary, we work alongside the notarial process whenever appropriate.

Why Work with Our Firm?

Our firm regularly advises international clients in matters involving French law.

We combine experience in:

French real estate law;
contract law;
company law;
immigration law;
family law;
tax-related issues affecting foreign nationals.

Because we work extensively with international clients, we understand the practical challenges they face when dealing with the French legal system.

Every agreement is individually drafted to reflect your objectives, protect your interests and minimise future legal risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an attorney-countersigned deed legally binding?

Yes. Once signed, it is a legally binding agreement under French law.

Can it be signed remotely?

In many cases, yes. Depending on the circumstances, electronic signature solutions may be used in compliance with applicable legal requirements.

Can the agreement be drafted in English?

Yes. We regularly prepare bilingual or English-language documentation for international clients. Where the agreement is intended to produce legal effects in France, we ensure that it complies with French law.

Is an attorney-countersigned deed recognised by French courts?

Yes. French law grants enhanced evidential value to attorney-countersigned deeds. The lawyer’s countersignature confirms that the parties received legal advice and understood the legal consequences of the agreement.

Contact a French Lawyer

If you need a legally secure agreement in France, our firm can assist you from the initial drafting stage through to signature and implementation.

Whether your matter concerns real estate, business, family assets or cross-border transactions, we provide practical legal advice tailored to international clients.

Nadezda Bonniot-Alupova — French-qualified lawyer, member of the Draguignan Bar, advising international and Russian-speaking clients throughout France.

Telephone in France: 04 22 47 00 26
WhatsApp / Telegram: +33 6 26 05 54 09