Statutory Duration of a Company in France
Introduction When creating a company in France, the founding shareholders must draft articles of association (statuts) that define the legal identity and operation of the company. These articles must contain a number of mandatory elements: the legal form, the registered office, the company name, the corporate purpose, the share capital, and — often overlooked but […]
Drafting Articles of Association for a French Company
When incorporating a company in France, one step is absolutely essential: the drafting of the articles of association (statuts de société). These statutes are not merely an administrative formality. They are the legal “constitution” of your business, shaping its identity, its governance, and its relationship with partners, heirs, and third parties. Because of their central […]
Dissolution and liquidation of the SAS: legal framework
Closing down a French simplified joint stock company (SAS or SASU) is not a simple administrative formality. Whether triggered by legal reasons, shareholder decision, or financial difficulties, the dissolution and liquidation process must follow strict legal rules set out in the French Civil Code and Commercial Code. Understanding these rules is essential to avoid mistakes, […]
Crises and Difficulties in SAS: Prevention, Management, and Resolution
Like any business, a Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS) can face crises that threaten its governance, its financial health, or even its survival. Internal conflicts, deadlock between shareholders, management failures, or external financial pressures can all disrupt operations. The SAS is, however, better equipped than many other corporate forms to anticipate and manage crises. Thanks […]
Mergers and Demergers of an SAS
The Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS) has become a highly attractive vehicle for restructuring operations such as mergers and demergers. Thanks to its flexible bylaws and compatibility with advanced corporate finance, the SAS is increasingly chosen for reorganizations, group restructurings, or cross-border transactions. The legal framework was significantly updated by Ordinance n° 2023-393 of 24 […]
Can a Company Be Transformed into an SAS?
The Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS) has become one of the most attractive legal forms in French corporate law. Its customizable bylaws, flexible governance, and investor-friendly features make it particularly popular with startups, growing businesses, and restructuring groups. For these reasons, many existing companies consider transforming into an SAS. But while the idea may sound […]
Liability of Shareholders in an SAS: Towards the Company and Third Parties
The Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS) is one of the most popular corporate forms in France. Its appeal lies in its flexibility, its modern governance model, and the strong protection it offers shareholders through limited liability. Like other joint-stock companies, the SAS is based on the principle that shareholders are only liable for company debts […]
Decisions That Must Be Taken by Shareholders in an SAS
The Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS) is renowned in French corporate law for its flexibility. Unlike the more rigid société anonyme (SA), the SAS allows its shareholders to organize internal governance largely by contract. This freedom makes it possible to design tailor-made decision-making structures that suit the company’s size, industry, and shareholder profile. But this […]
Rights and Obligations of Shareholders in an SAS
The French Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS) has become one of the most attractive legal vehicles for entrepreneurs. Its success comes from its flexible structure, which allows shareholders to tailor governance and financial arrangements to their specific needs. But this flexibility does not mean a lack of rules. Shareholders in an SAS enjoy specific rights […]
Who Can Become a Shareholder in an SAS?
The French Société par Actions Simplifiée (SAS) has become one of the most popular corporate forms for entrepreneurs, investors, and family-owned businesses. Its success lies in a simple formula: broad flexibility combined with a secure legal framework. When creating or managing an SAS, one of the first questions to arise is: Who can actually hold […]
