Business disputes · for English speakers in France · France · verified 7 September 2026
A French client ends an established relationship: which notice and evidence need review?
An established French commercial relationship can be terminated, but abrupt termination without adequate written notice can create liability under article L442-1 II. Duration, trade practice and the circumstances matter; there is no automatic month-per-year formula. Eighteen months protects against an insufficient-duration claim under that rule, rather than every possible breach. This page classifies the notice received and helps you organise the evidence for professional review.
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AlphaDeep legal editorial teamScope: French law · information, not legal advice
Which notice category does my document fall into?
Documentary ranges only; this tool does not assign a number of months owed.
Notice review
Select the notice actually announced and any immediate-termination ground.
Answer the questions on the left: the result is a category to verify, never a guaranteed amount or deadline.
- EXCEPTION TO REVIEW · Have the asserted immediate-termination ground reviewed.
- 18 MONTHS: LIMITED RULE · Check actual performance of the eighteen months.
- NO WRITTEN NOTICE · Preserve the termination and order records.
- UNDER 18 MONTHS: REVIEW · Review this notice against the full relationship.
Does a relationship need a written contract?
An established flow of business may be covered without a written framework agreement. Collect orders, invoices and exchanges showing stability. Article L110-3 generally permits commercial acts to be proved by any means against traders.
Is notice one month per year of business?
No. There is no automatic year-to-month formula. Article L442-1 II requires written notice reflecting, in particular, duration and trade practice. Dependence, reorganisation and dedicated investments need contextual assessment.
Is eighteen months a universal cap?
No. Respecting eighteen months protects against liability based on insufficient notice duration under this provision. It does not dispose of every contractual duty, questions about whether notice was effective, or other challenged conduct.
Can a temporary order reduction count?
Potentially. The version effective on 20 August 2026 expressly addresses certain substantial reductions during negotiations, including temporary ones. Article L442-1 II calls for assessment of scale, unusual character or circumstances and their capacity to jeopardise the balance of the established relationship.
Does alleging a breach justify immediate termination?
The text preserves termination without notice for non-performance or force majeure, but their conditions still need to be established. Keep allegations, replies and supporting documents. A lawyer should assess the seriousness of the alleged breach and the termination’s scope.
Can I claim all the lost turnover?
Turnover is not the same as compensable loss. The calculation must isolate loss caused by the abruptness. Article L442-4 allows compensation for loss sustained. Have an accountant identify variable costs and the relevant margin, and a lawyer assess the missing notice period.
Which court handles the claim?
Designated civil or commercial courts hear these disputes. Verify the correct court before filing. Article L442-4 III provides for specialisation. D442-2 and D442-3 refer to jurisdiction tables and provide for appeal to the Paris court of appeal.
Which records should I preserve first?
Order history, termination communications, client-specific revenue and dedicated investments. Separate announcement, effective stopping date and intermediate cuts. Article L110-3 permits flexible commercial proof but does not remove the need for a coherent record.
How should I give notice myself?
Have a clear notification and an appropriate notice period reviewed before sending, then check how the relationship will operate during notice. Article L442-1 II also refers to market economic conditions for prices during notice. A universal price freeze should not be presented as the statutory rule.
Which evidence supports each notice factor?
Read the file as it stood at notification, then track what happened during notice.
| Factor | Evidence | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Order history | Stable and foreseeable business? |
| Dependence | Client revenue share | Realistic alternative customers? |
| Investment | Dedicated assets | Redeployment time? |
| Trade practice | Sector agreements | Applicable notice practice? |
| Notice | Dated notification | Clear start and actual performance? |
| Loss | Revenue and variable costs | Loss caused by missing notice? |
Prepare the commercial file with your team
Prepare the commercial file with your team
Group the order history, notices and financial exhibits in a case file before professional review.
What this page is built on
What should you check before continuing?
Sources. Read the linked articles alongside your complete document.
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Information, not advice. Julie helps explain and organise the file. A qualified professional reviews your rights and deadlines.
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My French client has ordered for ten years without a framework agreement: which documents establish the commercial relationship?Julie takes this question with your documents. 3 free questions at sign-up, +1 per week, no credit card.