Debt Collection Lawyer & Unpaid Invoices in France
Are you looking for a lawyer specialized in debt recovery for your company?
Looking for a French debt collector or legal expert in debt recovery in France?
We assist international businesses with unpaid invoices and cross-border enforcement.
Cabinet FACCHINI Avocat — a French law firm with a dedicated team for B2B commercial debt collection
Cabinet FACCHINI Avocat acts in Lyon, across the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, throughout France and across Europe for B2B debt collection.
Better than a collection agency: we are a French law firm representing you both amicably and in court.
AMICABLE & JUDICIAL DEBT COLLECTION FOR UNPAID INVOICES
ULTRA-FAST RESPONSE — UNDER 1 HOUR
100% TAILORED SUPPORT & REPRESENTATION — NATIONWIDE IN FRANCE & ACROSS EUROPE
✅ 96% RECOVERY RATE
💶 €1.2M+ COLLECTED IN 2024
🌍 ENGLISH & FRENCH SUPPORT
Your Debt Recovery Lawyer in France
We work with a nationwide network of partners (commissaires de justice / court officers, postulant lawyers) to facilitate swift and effective recovery anywhere in France.
We are more than a collection agency — we are your legal partner for commercial debts, handling cases with legal rigor and commercial focus.
Our dedicated team provides legal and judicial expertise to improve your recovery rate and protect your business.
Why choose a law firm (not a collection agency)?
- Legally binding demand letters drafted by attorneys.
- Direct representation before French courts (Tribunal de commerce).
- Coordination with court officers (commissaires de justice) for enforcement.
- Secure handling of evidence and all procedural steps.
Our involvement often leads to faster settlements — debtors take legal representation seriously.
Cross-border, bilingual expertise (UK/US/EU)
Whether you are based in the UK, US or elsewhere in Europe, we bridge the gap by explaining each step in clear English, managing filings, and ensuring documents are translated and admissible. We act on your behalf — no physical presence in France required.
- European mechanisms: European Payment Order (EPO), European Enforcement Order (EEO), European Account Preservation Order (EAPO).
- Enforcement in France of foreign judgments (including exequatur for non-EU rulings).
- Clear checklist of documents: contracts/POs, invoices & delivery slips, emails/terms, proof of reminders, company registration.
Call Maître FACCHINI: +33 7 83 66 56 81 Send my request via form
Our Specialized Debt Recovery Services
Amicable Recovery
We send a formal demand letter (mise en demeure) on legal letterhead, open dialogue with the debtor, and negotiate practical solutions where appropriate.
Average duration: 15–30 days.
Judicial Recovery
We choose the most suitable legal action (payment order, summary judgment, or full proceedings) and represent you before the Tribunal de commerce or other competent courts.
Average duration: 60–90 days (varies by court and debtor reaction).
Payment Order (Injonction de payer)
For undisputed commercial debts: a fast, simple route to obtain an enforceable order when the documentation is clear.
Typical duration: ~4–6 weeks (if unopposed) • Cost: Low.
Summary Judgment (Référé)
Fast-track procedure with a hearing, ideal where urgency exists and the debt may be contested.
Typical duration: ~1–2 months • Cost: Moderate.
Full Proceedings before the Commercial Court
A more comprehensive process than référé: it decisively resolves the dispute when the debtor actively challenges the claim.
Typical duration: ~3–6 months (or more, depending on case) • Cost: Higher but definitive.
Precautionary Measures
Freeze assets (bank accounts, property, vehicles) before trial to secure recovery where urgency or risk of evasion is identified.
Typical duration: Immediate to ~15 days • Cost: Variable (often recoverable if judgment is granted).
Enforcement of Judgments
Working closely with commissaires de justice, we carry out seizures and enforcement actions to secure payment (bank/garnishment, property, wages).
Typical duration: 15–60 days (depending on debtor’s assets and resistance).
B2B Recovery Strategy
We advise you on the best strategy to obtain rapid payment from your debtors, balancing cost, speed and success potential.
Comparison of the different debt recovery procedures in France
Procedure |
Speed |
Cost |
Best for |
Payment Order |
★★★★☆ |
€ |
Undisputed invoices |
Summary Judgment (Référé) |
★★★☆☆ |
€€ |
Urgent cases, partial disputes |
Full Proceedings |
★★☆☆☆ |
€€€ |
Complex or high-value contested debts |
Precautionary Measures |
★★★★★ (fast) |
€€ |
Urgent protection of rights before trial |
Not sure which route fits your case? Our lawyers will choose the most efficient legal path based on amount, evidence, solvency and urgency.
Why choose our law firm to recover your debts & unpaid invoices?
The Cabinet FACCHINI Avocat offers sharp expertise in amicable & judicial debt recovery.
We support business leaders from strategy to enforcement — including the toughest stages (handling unpaid debts).
The Role of a Debt Recovery Lawyer
What affects timelines?
Why choose Cabinet FACCHINI Avocat?
FAQ: Debt Collection Lawyer & Unpaid Invoices
1. Can a foreign company recover unpaid debts from a French client?
Our bilingual team manages everything locally and keeps you informed in English.
2. What is the statute of limitations for unpaid debts in France?
In most commercial cases, the limitation period is 5 years from the invoice due date. It’s important to act early to protect your rights.
3. How long does debt recovery take?
It depends.
Amicable recovery: 15–30 days. Judicial procedures: 60–90 days or more. Enforcement: 15–60 days.
At Cabinet FACCHINI Avocat, the 2024 average was 30 days (amicable) and 90 days (legal).
4. What are the legal costs involved?
We offer fixed fees for standard procedures, success-based options in selected cases, and clear quotes upfront with no hidden fees. Court and enforcement costs are often recoverable from the debtor if the case succeeds.
5. What if the debtor refuses to pay or disappears?
We act quickly: investigate solvency, take precautionary measures to freeze assets, and initiate forced execution through court officers.
6. Do I need to provide documents in French?
Yes. The courts require documents in French or with a certified translation. We coordinate this with certified translators.
7. Is a lawyer better than a collection agency?
Lawyers have full legal authority to act in court, offer recoverable costs under French law, and carry greater credibility with debtors. Agencies lack enforcement power and often cost more long-term.
8. How can I avoid unpaid debts in the future?
A lawyer can also draft strong contracts and clear payment terms.
9. What legal remedies are available?
Demand letters, seizures, payment orders, summary proceedings, and full actions on the merits before the competent courts.
10. How do I know if a debt is recoverable?
We assess the file, the debtor’s solvency, and the available enforcement options to determine recovery prospects.
11. How to recover debt in France?
To recover debt in France, our law firm assists you through every stage of the French debt collection process — from amicable negotiation to court enforcement — in full compliance with French debt collection laws.
Costs & Fees — Transparent Pricing
We propose flat fees for standard procedures (e.g. payment order), hourly rates for complex disputes, and success-based fees in selected judicial matters. Third-party costs may include court filing fees (usually €50–€150), court officer fees for service/enforcement, and certified translation fees for non-French documents. Many costs are recoverable from the debtor if you prevail.
We Serve International Creditors
We act for clients from the United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and other EU & international countries — anywhere in France (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Nantes, Lille, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Montpellier, and more).
Need help with a debt in France? Contact our bilingual lawyer now — get a response within 1 hour.
Law firm specialized in debt recovery
We are also qualified to recover your unpaid debts across Europe and internationally.
Find us opposite the Rhône Prefecture in Lyon.
Cabinet FACCHINI Avocat
Contact Maître FACCHINI — French Debt Collection Lawyer
Need more information about our services or wish to arrange a consultation?
Feel free to contact Maître FACCHINI directly by phone, email, or through the form below, you’ll receive a reply within 1 hour!