Practice

Public Law

The State plays a unique role in business dealings in France. Companies therefore need the support of public law specialists to keep abreast of developments in public policy, engage in dialogue with public authorities and win cases before the administrative courts.

Having played a central role in nationalisations and privatisations during the 1980s, we have created a team dedicated to public affairs and institutional relations. Many of our lawyers have held positions in the French Parliament, the Council of State, major public companies and national public institutions.

Since its creation, our Public Law team has always offered a comprehensive range of services: transactions between public authorities and companies, regulation of economic activities, and administrative and constitutional disputes.

40 years ago, we were one of the first law firms in France to have specialists in the environment and sustainable development. Our Public Law team also specialises in urban planning and development, public sector real estate transactions, public-private partnerships and the financing of public infrastructure, network industries, including the energy sector, and mergers and acquisitions involving the State and local authorities.

Our clients appreciate our ability to innovate, our legal creativity and our expertise in cross-disciplinary projects which go beyond public law.

Areas of intervention

  • We advise management, investors, shareholders, the State and local authorities on nationalisation, privatisation, restructuring and the governance of national and local publicly owned companies.

  • We represent industrial groups, lenders and public authorities in the procurement, performance and litigation of public contracts, concessions and public-private partnerships.

  • We oversee the construction, financing and operation of roads and motorways, rail links, ports and airports, electronic communications networks, energy production facilities and electric charging points, district heating, hydrocarbon transport, stadiums and auditoriums, prisons, ministerial buildings, hospitals, schools and universities.

  • We provide support for real estate transactions on public property: regulatory feasibility, land management, contractual structuring (long-term leasehold contracts, ground leases, public property occupancy agreements), documentation negotiation, urban planning and environmental permit audits and litigation management. 

  • We work with industry sector regulatory authorities: transport, energy and nuclear activities, audiovisual and digital, press and electronic communications, gaming, public health, public and political life and foreign direct investment.

  • We advise on the feasibility of large-scale real estate projects (offices, industry, logistics, shopping centres, data centres), optimising building rights, mandatory urban planning financial contributions and operational planning, public consultation processes and securing building permits. We work with real estate developers, builders and investors. 

  • We practice both advisory and litigation in industrial environmental law (transport infrastructure, water, waste, refining, chemicals, nuclear), mining law and extractive activities (oil, gas, lithium), environmental criminal law, and the regulation of renewable energies (hydroelectric, solar, onshore and offshore wind, hydrogen, biomass, biogas). 

Awards

  • Chambers Europe - France 2024

    Public Law

    Band 1

    Gide has strong experience in the negotiation or restructuring of concession contracts, including high-profile mandates that facilitate the development of major rail and motorway infrastructure projects. The law firm regularly assists clients with public tender processes and concession contracts.

  • Chambers Global/Europe - France 2024

    Planning

    Band 1

    Gide is widely praised for its practice assisting with the urban planning aspects of commercial real estate and public infrastructure. It also acts on behalf of clients in related disputes.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - France 2024

    Administrative & Public Law

    Tier 1

    The firm is particularly recognised for its high-level public procurement concession and projects know-how." "Excellent knowledge of the French market, very good expertise and great capacity for innovation in terms of legal-financial structuring. One of the very best teams in the market.

  • Legal 500 EMEA - Morocco 2024

    Projects & Public Law

    Tier 2

    Gide regularly advises public entities, private operators, financial institutions on infrastructure and energy deals and financings in Morocco and elsewhere in Africa.