--- title: "Commercial and Corporate Litigation" id: "1999" type: "expertise" slug: "commercial-and-corporate-litigation" published_at: "2026-01-24T01:32:13+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-29T12:40:29+00:00" url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/commercial-and-corporate-litigation/" markdown_url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/commercial-and-corporate-litigation.md" excerpt: "Defending your interests in high-stakes strategic litigation Shareholder disputes, post-acquisition litigation, dismissal of executives, and contract breaches: commercial and corporate disputes can threaten a company’s reputation, disrupt its governance, or hinder its operational capacity. Their often international dimension further increases..." taxonomy_language: - "English" taxonomy_post_translations: - "pll_6974211d32b9a" taxonomy_tax_expertise: - "Commercial and Corporate Litigation" taxonomy_tax_famille_expertise: - "Dispute Resolution" --- ## Defending your interests *in high-stakes strategic litigation* Shareholder disputes, post-acquisition litigation, dismissal of executives, and contract breaches: commercial and corporate disputes can threaten a company’s reputation, disrupt its governance, or hinder its operational capacity. Their often international dimension further increases their complexity. We represent major corporations, investment funds, and executives in their most sensitive disputes, both in France and abroad. When necessary, we rely on a global network of partner firms to coordinate action across multiple jurisdictions. Whether anticipating potential conflicts, favoring an amicable resolution to preserve a business relationship, or pursuing litigation through to its conclusion when required, our role is to protect your interests while minimizing value loss. ## *our* Capabilities ### (01) M&A and Corporate Finance Litigation Failure to disclose information during negotiations, challenges to warranty or indemnity clauses, disputes over price adjustments or earn-out provisions, and difficulties arising between signing and closing: Mu0026amp;A disputes often involve complex contractual mechanisms and significant financial stakes.rnrnWe assist buyers, sellers, and investors in protecting their interests, whether upstream by anticipating potential risks of dispute, or downstream by asserting their rights before the appropriate courts. ### (02) Shareholder Litigation Tensions arising from a shareholders’ agreement, the triggering of liquidity clauses, or disputes over majority or minority abuse: shareholder relations often center on issues of control, exit, or valuation.rnrnWe intervene at the first signs of disagreement to defuse conflict, negotiate exit arrangements, or conduct legal proceedings when the balance of power demands it.rnrnOur goal is to preserve business continuity while ensuring that every stakeholder’s rights are upheld. Each case calls for a tailored approach, carefully adapted to the specific dynamics among shareholders. ### (03) Governance Litigation Governance disputes often concern both the individual and the company’s strategic direction, whether they involve the dismissal of executives, negotiation of management packages or carried interest plans, liability claims for mismanagement, disloyal conduct, unauthorized related-party transactions, or breaches of reporting obligations.rnrnWe manage executive departures, defend the liability of corporate officers or the company itself, and coordinate management audits when required.rnrnThese matters extend well beyond the legal sphere, as they directly affect the organization’s reputation and leadership continuity. ### (04) Contractual and Tort Litigation Abusive termination of negotiations, breach of contract, unfair business practices, sudden interruption of established commercial relationships, specific performance claims, and contractual liability actions: these disputes directly threaten a company’s economic stability and the security of its operations. We represent clients before civil and commercial courts, whether to enforce a contract, establish liability for breach, or challenge allegations made against them.rnrnWhenever possible, we prioritize mediation and conciliation to preserve business relationships and minimize the impact of conflict. Collective excellence at the service of the *highest standards* Team [Marie Danis ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/marie-danis/) [Benjamin van Gaver ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/benjamin-van-gaver/) [Aude Londero ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/aude-londero/) [Amélie Tripet ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/amelie-tripet/) [Flore Mahieu ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/flore-mahieu/) [Emmanuelle Peyrottes ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/emmanuelle-peyrottes/) [Benjamin Sabbagh Zadeh ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/benjamin-sabbagh-zadeh/) [Alexandre Trovato ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/alexandre-trovato/) [Thomas Arnold ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/thomas-arnold/) [Marie Edelstenne ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/marie-edelstenne/) [Claire Li ( Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/claire-li/) Précédent Suivant ## Contact Us ## *our* References Commercial and Corporate Litigation #### U.S. automotive manufacturer – Cross-border commercial dispute Advising a U.S. automotive manufacturer in a cross-border dispute with multiple suppliers, including an Italian company, over the alleged abrupt termination of a commercial relationship. Commercial and Corporate Litigation #### Leading renewable energy player – Shareholders’ dispute Representation of a leading player in the renewable energy sector in a shareholders’ dispute regarding the scope of their legal rights under corporate agreements (shareholders’ agreement and bylaws), opposing a private equity fund abusively invoking a veto right over the company’s strategic decisions. Commercial and Corporate Litigation #### U.S. investment fund – Shareholders’ dispute Representation of a U.S. investment fund in a shareholders’ dispute against a former executive involving allegations of fraud and breaches of pre-contractual disclosure obligations. **Rankings**& Recognitions m - (01)Chambers and Partners 2026 - (02)Chambers and Partners 2026 – Global Corporate/Commercial Litigation : Elite - (03)Legal 500 2026 – France Dispute Resolution: Commercial litigation [More distinctions](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/distinctions/?search_tax-expertise%5B%5D=commercial-and-corporate-litigation) ## *Latest* News [27/01/25 Deal 1 min August Debouzy advised Chausson Matériaux on the acquisition of Frans Bonhomme’s business in France August Debouzy advised Chausson Matériaux, France’s leading independent distributor of building materials, on the acquisition of Frans Bonhomme’s business in France, the French leader in multi-channel distribution of materials and solutions for networks and infrastructures.](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/deal/august-debouzy-advised-chausson-materiaux-on-the-acquisition-of-frans-bonhommes-business-in-france/) 01 01 Précédent Suivant [Find our latest news](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/le-hub/) News ## FAQ ### (01) How can you defend your interests in post-acquisition commercial litigation? Post-acquisition disputes (price adjustments, earn-outs, warranty and indemnity claims, misrepresentations) can undermine the economics of a transaction and generate lengthy and costly proceedings. The general limitation period of five years under Article 2224 of the French Civil Code runs from the date the claimant knew or should have known the facts enabling the action. We defend buyers, sellers, investment funds and executives in these disputes, combining litigation strategy, financial expertise and negotiated solutions to preserve transaction value. ### (02) How can you resolve a shareholder dispute over share valuation or governance? Shareholder conflicts (governance deadlocks, valuation disputes, forced exclusions, exit disputes) can paralyze the company and destroy value. Article 1843-4 of the French Civil Code provides, where a dispute arises over the price of a share transfer or buyback required by law or the articles of association, for the appointment of an expert to determine the value of the shares. We advise majority and minority shareholders in resolving these conflicts: amicable negotiation, mediation, interim proceedings and proceedings on the merits. The goal is to break the deadlock while protecting our client’s position. ### (03) What actions can be taken in commercial litigation relating to corporate governance? Wrongful removal of directors, breach of shareholders’ agreements, abuse of majority or minority rights, challenges to corporate resolutions: these disputes strike at the heart of how a company operates. Article L. 225-254 of the French Commercial Code sets a three-year limitation period for liability actions against directors or the CEO, running from the damaging event or its disclosure (ten years if the act constitutes a criminal offence). We manage these sensitive proceedings by combining liability actions, management audit requests, challenges to resolutions and settlement negotiations to restore the balance of power. ### (04) How should you handle a contractual or tortious dispute with significant financial stakes? Breach of contract, wrongful termination, unfair competition, free-riding, intellectual property infringement: these disputes engage the company’s liability and can affect its competitive position. Each case requires a rigorous assessment of damages, a solid evidentiary strategy and mastery of emergency procedures (interim relief, protective seizures). We act before commercial, civil and arbitral tribunals, for claimants and defendants, favouring an approach that anticipates obstacles and preserves the commercial relationship where possible. ### (05) Why choose August Debouzy as your law firm for commercial and corporate litigation in France? Major corporations, investment funds and executives entrust us with their most sensitive disputes, in France and internationally. The often international dimension of these cases amplifies their complexity. Anticipating obstacles, favouring an amicable outcome to preserve a commercial relationship, or pursuing proceedings to their conclusion when necessary: our role is to protect your interests while minimizing value destruction. We bring deep expertise in corporate law, contract law and financial mechanisms to every case.