Practice area
Litigation
Defending your interests with rigour and determination before all courts
Nicol Fideurope supports its clients, whether individuals or companies, both ahead of contentious proceedings and throughout court litigation. Our approach favours the search for amicable solutions, without ever compromising on the defence of your interests when litigation becomes unavoidable.
Commercial litigation
- Disputes between business partners
- Commercial lease disputes
- Disputes arising from the company's business
Civil litigation
- Contractual disputes
- Insurance law
- Civil liability
Construction litigation
- Disputes between project owners, contractors and project managers
- Building defects (ten-year, two-year and completion warranties under French construction law)
- Acceptance of works and lifting of reservations
- Court-ordered construction expert appraisals
Employment litigation
- Proceedings before the conseil de prud'hommes (French employment tribunal)
- Social protection and social security litigation
Tax litigation
- Drafting and filing formal tax claims
- Bringing proceedings before the administrative court
- Assistance before the administrative court of appeal
Key takeaway
Our litigation team appears before the full range of civil, commercial, employment and administrative courts, at first instance and on appeal.
Frequently asked questions
When should you call on a lawyer?
As soon as a commercial, civil or employment dispute risks escalating into court proceedings, or when you receive a writ of summons, a formal notice or a summons to appear in court. Early involvement of a lawyer often makes it possible to reach an amicable outcome and avoid the costs of a trial.
Timeframes vary considerably depending on the court and the complexity of the case. At first instance, expect 6 to 18 months before the commercial court and 12 to 24 months before the civil court. On appeal, add a further 12 to 24 months. An experienced lawyer can speed up certain steps through summary proceedings or urgent interim measures.
Mediation is recommended when the parties wish to preserve their business relationship, when the dispute involves intermediate amounts or when the evidence is difficult to establish. It can lead to an agreement within a few weeks rather than several months in court, with controlled costs.
Start by setting out your grievances in a registered letter. Gather the evidence (contracts, invoices, correspondence). Consult a lawyer promptly: they will assess the strength of your case and the most appropriate strategy, whether negotiation, formal notice, summary proceedings or a full claim on the merits.
Proceedings begin with a claim before the conseil de prud'hommes (French employment tribunal), followed by a mandatory conciliation hearing. If conciliation fails, the case is referred to the judgment panel. The whole process generally takes 12 to 18 months. Representation by a lawyer is not mandatory but is strongly advised.
After receiving the collection notice, you have a set period in which to file a formal claim with the French tax authorities. If the claim is rejected, you can bring proceedings before the administrative court within two months. A tax lawyer commands the technical arguments and the procedures specific to this type of litigation.
Fees depend on the complexity of the case, the financial stakes and the expected length of the proceedings. Our firm applies a policy of fee transparency, with a detailed estimate before any work begins. A first meeting allows us to assess your situation and present the various billing arrangements.
A question about this area?
Our team is available to review your situation and provide an appropriate answer.
Contact us