---
title: "Administrative and Public Law Litigation"
id: "1996"
type: "expertise"
slug: "administrative-and-public-law-litigation"
published_at: "2026-01-23T15:21:33+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-07-29T12:39:53+00:00"
url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/administrative-and-public-law-litigation/"
markdown_url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/administrative-and-public-law-litigation.md"
excerpt: "Defending your interests before all administrative courts Administrative law disputes often involve issues of liability, authorizations, public contracts, or regulatory acts. These matters carry significant financial consequences and can have lasting effects on the execution of strategic projects. 0 0..."
taxonomy_language:
  - "English"
taxonomy_post_translations:
  - "pll_697391fd72f9c"
taxonomy_tax_expertise:
  - "Administrative and Public Law Litigation"
taxonomy_tax_famille_expertise:
  - "Dispute Resolution"
---

## Defending your interests before all administrative courts

Administrative law disputes often involve issues of liability, authorizations, public contracts, or regulatory acts. These matters carry significant financial consequences and can have lasting effects on the execution of strategic projects.

We represent clients before all administrative courts, from administrative tribunals to the Conseil d’État. Our expertise covers actions for annulment, applications for suspension, pre-contract and contract-related injunctions, emergency liberty proceedings, claims for damages, and disputes relating to the award or performance of public contracts. We also act in matters involving administrative permits, urban planning, public entity liability, and criminal aspects of public procurement. Public and private operators rely on us to defend their interests in proceedings that are often complex and high-profile.

## *our* Capabilities

### (01) Public Procurement Litigation

We represent unsuccessful bidders, contract holders, and public purchasers in disputes involving the award or performance of public contracts. Our work includes pre-contract injunctions, actions for annulment, claims for damages, and disputes relating to contractual liability. We also assist clients during amicable or court-appointed expert proceedings and in debt recovery actions against public entities.

### (02) Planning and Permitting Litigation

Project developers, neighboring residents, and public authorities frequently dispute planning permissions, building permits, development permits, and commercial zoning authorizations. Our work also covers litigation involving pre-emption procedures, expropriation matters, and decisions issued by consultative commissions. We also conduct audits of planning and development documents to anticipate potential litigation risks and secure project feasibility.

### (03) Administrative Liability Litigation

We assist companies and public entities in disputes involving the liability of the State, local authorities, or their agents. Our expertise covers claims for compensation based on service faults, breaches of equality before public burdens, or the defective functioning of public services.rnrnWe also act in disputes involving damage caused by public works and harm resulting from unlawful administrative decisions.

Collective excellence at the service of the highest standards

Team

[Nicolas Baverez ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/nicolas-baverez/)

[Hélène Billery ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/helene-billery/)

[Vincent Brenot ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/vincent-brenot/)

[Emmanuelle Mignon ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/emmanuelle-mignon/)

[Ghislain Minaire ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/ghislain-minaire/)

[Charles Maurel ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/charles-maurel/)

[Guillaume Potin ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/guillaume-potin/)

[Victoire Le Calvez ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/victoire-le-calvez/)

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## Contact Us

## *our* References

Administrative and Public Law Litigation

#### Public institution – French Council of State

Advising and representing a public institution in the complete overhaul of the regulatory status of its personnel. This project raised delicate issues of public law and employment law, and was the subject of discussions with the Government. It also led to litigation before the Council of State between the institution…

Administrative and Public Law Litigation

#### Electricity producer – Public law and environmental litigation

Strategic support to an electricity producer in navigating public domain-related matters, including serial litigation on photovoltaic electricity pricing, and advising on environmental law concerning the renewal of its nuclear fleet.

Administrative and Public Law Litigation

#### Polling institute – Public procurement dispute

Representation of a polling institute before the administrative court in a challenge to a public tender, securing the dismissal of a competitor’s claims and confirming our client as the selected bidder.

**Rankings**& Recognitions

m

- (01)Décideurs 2025 – France Public Law
- (02)Who’s who legal 2025 – Global Administrative Litigation
- (03)Décideurs 2024 – France Public Law

[More distinctions](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/distinctions/?search_tax-expertise%5B%5D=administrative-and-public-law-litigation)

## *Latest* News

[09/12/25 Legal Article 1 min Counsel to 9e Art+, organizer of The International Comic Strip Festival August Debouzy advises 9e Art+ in connection with its dispute with several local public stakeholders regarding the conditions for organizing The International Comic Strip Festival in Angoulême (FIBD).](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/legal-article/counsel-to-9e-art-organizer-of-the-international-comic-strip-festival/)

[28/01/25 Deal 1 min August Debouzy Secures Landmark Application of the Hardship Doctrine for Gaz de Paris August Debouzy recently achieved two favorable rulings for Gaz de Paris before the Paris Administrative Court. Delivered on January 20, 2025, these decisions concern gas supply contracts between Gaz de Paris (a subsidiary of the Butagaz Group) and Paris Habitat, a Public Housing Office (OPH).](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/deal/august-debouzy-secures-landmark-application-of-the-hardship-doctrine-for-gaz-de-paris/)

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News

## FAQ

### (01) What administrative litigation can you bring to challenge a public contract award?

An unsuccessful bidder’s exclusion from a public contract or concession can be challenged through contractual interim proceedings. Article L. 551-13 of the French Administrative Justice Code allows the court to be seized within thirty-one days of the publication of the contract award notice, or six months in the absence of publication. We represent unsuccessful bidders and public purchasers in all public procurement disputes: pre-contractual and contractual interim proceedings, challenges to contract validity, and damages claims. Each remedy is assessed based on its likelihood of success, timelines and impact on project continuity.

### (02) Within what time limit should you bring administrative litigation against a planning permit or regulatory decision?

Administrative decisions (planning permits, building permits, environmental authorizations, licensing refusals, regulatory decisions) may be challenged through an action for annulment. Article R. 421-1 of the French Administrative Justice Code sets the time limit for contentious proceedings at two months from notification or publication of the contested decision. We act to challenge or defend administrative decisions before administrative tribunals, administrative courts of appeal and the Conseil d’Etat, deploying emergency procedures (suspension orders) when the project timeline demands it.

### (03) How can you bring or defend a claim for administrative liability?

Public authorities may be held liable for faults in exercising their powers, damage from public works, unlawful decisions or wrongful inaction. In cases of serious and manifestly unlawful interference with a fundamental freedom, Article L. 521-2 of the French Administrative Justice Code allows the emergency judge to be seized, with a ruling due within forty-eight hours. We represent clients in damages claims against the state, local authorities and public establishments, structuring compensation claims and deploying the emergency procedures appropriate to each situation.

### (04) Why choose August Debouzy as your law firm for administrative and public law litigation in France?

Public and private operators, local authorities, public establishments and companies facing administrative disputes entrust us with their most strategic cases. Our expertise covers actions for annulment, suspension orders, pre-contractual and contractual interim proceedings, emergency liberty proceedings, damages claims and disputes relating to the performance or award of public contracts. We also handle disputes over administrative permits, planning matters and criminal aspects of public procurement. Each case benefits from a strategy tailored to the specificities of the administrative courts.