FRANCE
CIVIL LAW, ICC ARBITRATION, AND THE WORLD'S LUXURY CAPITAL.
France is one of the world's most significant civil law jurisdictions — the origin of the Napoleonic Code that underpins the legal systems of over 40 countries. Paris is the home of the ICC, the world's largest international arbitration institution. And France is the undisputed global capital of luxury goods — home to LVMH, Kering, Hermès, and the world's most valuable brand portfolios.
WLA France co-practices M&A under French law, ICC arbitration proceedings, luxury brand IP and distribution law, employment law including the French comité social et économique (CSE), and French tax including the 3% Digital Services Tax and transfer pricing under French rules.
- ICC headquarters — Paris as the premier seat for international commercial arbitration globally
- Luxury sector — France governs the world's most valuable luxury brand portfolios
- CSE consultation — mandatory social dialogue on any workforce change affecting 50+ employees
- French corporate law — SA, SAS, SASU structures for international investment
- Digital Services Tax — 3% on revenues of large digital companies operating in France
SIX KEY PRACTICE AREAS
WHERE FRANCE DEMANDS SPECIALISTS.
Share deals, asset deals, SAS/SA acquisition structures, French merger control (Autorité de la concurrence), FDI screening (MEFR Decree), and Comité social et économique consultation obligations on M&A.
ICC arbitration proceedings, CMAP mediation, Paris as seat of international arbitration. French courts are among the most arbitration-friendly in the world — enforcement of awards under the New York Convention.
Luxury brand IP protection, trademark enforcement, distribution network agreements, selective distribution systems under EU competition law, and anti-counterfeiting enforcement in France and across the EU.
Comité social et économique consultation — mandatory on any collective measure affecting working conditions. French employment termination procedures, collective redundancy plans (PSE), and executive arrangements.
French corporate tax, transfer pricing under BOFIP guidelines, Digital Services Tax compliance for international platforms, and tax aspects of M&A under French law including tax consolidation groups.
French renewable energy — offshore wind, solar, and hydrogen projects under CRE regulation. French nuclear law update — new-build programme creating significant project finance and regulatory work.
FRANCE IS THE WORLD'S
LUXURY LAW JURISDICTION.
WLA France's luxury practice covers every dimension of luxury brand law — IP protection, distribution networks, brand acquisitions, and anti-counterfeiting across global markets.
Multi-jurisdiction trademark portfolio management, enforcement actions against counterfeiters, and EUIPO opposition proceedings. France as the hub for global luxury brand protection strategy.
Selective distribution agreements compliant with EU competition law (VBER), authorised retailer networks, franchise agreements, and enforcement against unauthorised distributors and grey market importers.
Luxury brand acquisitions, IP asset transfers, licensing portfolio structuring, and brand valuation for M&A purposes. France as the natural seat for luxury group M&A transactions.