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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
💶 €1.75M+ COLLECTED IN 2026
🌍 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 rather than a debt collection agency in France?
- 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.
Our specialized debt recovery services in France
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).
B2B recovery strategy
We advise you on the best strategy to obtain rapid payment from your debtors, balancing cost, speed and success potential.
Court procedures we use for debt recovery in France
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).
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.
French debt collection laws: key rules for creditors
- Limitation period:
Claims between businesses are time-barred after five years (Article L110-4 of the French Commercial Code). - Payment terms:
Unless otherwise agreed, payment is due within 30 days of receipt of the goods or performance of the service.
An agreed term cannot exceed 60 days from the invoice date, or 45 days end of month if expressly stated in the contract. - Late payment interest:
Due from the day after the payment date shown on the invoice, without any reminder.
Unless the contract provides otherwise, the rate is the European Central Bank refinancing rate plus 10 percentage points, and never less than three times the French legal interest rate. - Fixed recovery indemnity:
A business that pays late owes a fixed €40 indemnity for recovery costs (Article D441-5 of the French Commercial Code).
Higher costs can be claimed on proof.
Why choose our law firm to recover your debts & unpaid invoices from France-based debtors?
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 in France
What affects timelines?
Why choose Cabinet FACCHINI Avocat?
FAQ: debt collection lawyer & unpaid invoices in France
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 2025 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 and unpaid invoices 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 in France
We are also qualified to recover your unpaid debts across Europe and internationally.
Debt collection lawyer in Paris
When the debtor is established in Paris, a commercial claim is brought before the Tribunal des activités économiques de Paris, formerly the Paris Commercial Court.
Since 1 January 2025, it has been one of the twelve courts in a four-year pilot scheme run by the French Ministry of Justice.
As a general rule, the competent court is the one where the debtor is established (Article 42 of the French Code of Civil Procedure), and the same applies to a payment order application (Article 1406).
Payment orders, summary proceedings for an interim payment (référé provision) and full proceedings against a Paris-based debtor are all filed with this court, at 1 quai de Corse, 75004 Paris.
We act for foreign creditors before it, as before every commercial court in France, and work with court officers (commissaires de justice) for enforcement.
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!