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
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We advise management, investors, shareholders, the State and local authorities on nationalisation, privatisation, restructuring and the governance of national and local publicly owned companies.
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We represent industrial groups, lenders and public authorities in the procurement, performance and litigation of public contracts, concessions and public-private partnerships.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).