--- title: "Commercial and International Contracts" id: "2022" type: "expertise" slug: "commercial-and-international-contracts" published_at: "2026-01-25T20:46:34+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-23T10:22:40+00:00" url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/commercial-and-international-contracts/" markdown_url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/commercial-and-international-contracts.md" excerpt: "Structuring, negotiating, and securing your strategic business relationships Commercial contracts shape every business relationship, yet they also concentrate major risks: contractual imbalances, regulatory non-compliance, sudden terminations, and cross-border disputes. As value chains become increasingly global and digital, companies must navigate..." taxonomy_language: - "English" taxonomy_post_translations: - "pll_6976812a40779" taxonomy_tax_expertise: - "Commercial and International Contracts" taxonomy_tax_famille_expertise: - "Transactional" --- ## Structuring, negotiating, and securing *your strategic business relationships* Commercial contracts shape every business relationship, yet they also concentrate major risks: contractual imbalances, regulatory non-compliance, sudden terminations, and cross-border disputes. As value chains become increasingly global and digital, companies must navigate fragmented legal environments, extraterritorial regulations, and asymmetric power dynamics. We bring structure to this complexity in the service of your interests. Every contract is designed as both a protective and a growth instrument: we build robust contractual frameworks, negotiate sustainable terms, audit existing practices and manage litigation or regulatory investigations. Our approach integrates strategic thinking, multi-jurisdictional compliance and operational efficiency. We support executives, legal departments, mid-sized companies, international groups, and public entities in drafting, negotiating, and defending their critical contracts in France and abroad. ## *our*Capabilities ### (01) Negotiation, Drafting, and Review of Commercial Contracts We design and negotiate all key business agreements: framework agreements, general terms and conditions of sale and purchase, bespoke contracts, industrial partnerships, and supply agreements. Each document strikes the right balance between protecting your interests, ensuring operational flexibility, and maintaining regulatory compliance. We intervene early to anticipate friction points, support you during negotiations to defend key positions, and review existing contracts as laws evolve or new risks emerge. Every clause is crafted to withstand tension and potential disputes. Chaque clause est pensée pour résister aux tensions et aux contentieux futurs. ### (02) Commercial Partnerships and Distribution Networks We structure and protect relationships among suppliers, distributors, franchisees, commercial agents, and B2B or B2C partners. From contract design and legal qualification of intermediaries to exclusivity clauses, territoriality, and termination of established relationships, we anticipate imbalances and disputes. Each structure preserves network flexibility while limiting exposure to termination indemnities, unfair competition claims, or requalification risks. Our approach integrates operational realities and market dynamics. A resilient network depends on clear and balanced contractual commitments. ### (03) Product and Service Sales Contracts We draft and secure B2B and B2C sales contracts, including digital models such as e-commerce, marketplaces, SaaS platforms, and subscription services. We ensure that terms and conditions comply with consumer law, withdrawal rights, pre-contractual information obligations, and prohibitions on unfair terms, while managing platform liability. Each framework minimizes exposure to consumer disputes, administrative penalties, and collective actions. We tailor contractual models to each sales channel while maintaining overall legal coherence. Distinguishing between B2B and B2C is key to managing regulatory risk. ### (04) Compliance and Contractual Practice Audits We audit and bring contractual portfolios into compliance with new regulations or external reviews. This includes reviewing terms and conditions, identifying unfair or unbalanced clauses, and ensuring alignment with GDPR, anti-corruption, ESG, and international sanctions requirements. Each audit leads to a prioritized action plan. We assist companies during DGCCRF inspections or internal audits, respond to regulatory demands, and negotiate with authorities. Contractual compliance is a prerequisite for business continuity. ### (05) Contract Management Strategies and Tools We support the implementation of contract governance strategies and tools, including centralized contract repositories, process digitalization, monitoring of key deadlines (renewals, terminations, amendments), and standardization of templates. We design negotiation playbooks, clause libraries, and validation workflows that reduce signature times, minimize errors, and enhance traceability. Our approach includes training and change management to support the adoption of CLM (Contract Lifecycle Management) tools and to industrialize contract management at scale. Mastering the contract lifecycle is a competitive advantage. ### (06) Commercial Litigation and Regulatory Investigations We represent companies in complex commercial disputes involving wrongful termination, non-performance, hidden defects, warranty claims, and cross-border litigation. Whether through court proceedings, international arbitration, or settlement negotiations, we manage the process end-to-end to minimize operational impact. Our work also includes administrative investigations (DGCCRF, sector-specific regulators), responses to formal notices, and defense against enforcement actions. Each case is managed as a risk to be contained, with particular attention to reputation and the preservation of business relationships. Anticipating disputes is the best way to prevent or mitigate them. Collective excellence at the service of the *highest standards.* Team [Alexandra Berg-Moussa ( Partner )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/alexandra-berg-moussa/) [Thibaut Amourette ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/thibaut-amourette/) [Aurélien Micheli ( Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/aurelien-micheli/) [Inès Bouzayen ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/ines-bouzayen/) [Léa Margono ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/lea-margono/) Précédent Suivant ## Contact Us ## *our*References Commercial and International Contracts #### Leading French children’s apparel – distribution & commercial contracts Assisting an iconic French children’s apparel brand with distribution operations and commercial relationships, including day-to-day support in drafting and negotiating annual supply, distribution, and logistics agreements with major French retailers and leading e-commerce platforms. Commercial and International Contracts #### Luxury house – Global licensing agreement Advising a French luxury leather goods house on drafting and negotiating a worldwide licensing agreement for the design, production, marketing, and distribution of its first fragrance. Work included key intellectual property issues, manufacturing and supply-chain arrangements, and alignment of the fragrance’s distribution strategy with the brand’s identity and existing network. Commercial and International Contracts #### Mobility platform – Commercial & regulatory advisory Advising a digital mobility platform operating in France on strategic commercial and regulatory matters, including compliance with EU and French information obligations towards consumers and business partners, and with the specific regulatory framework governing its activities. *Rankings*& Recognitions m - (01)Legal 500 2025 – Global Dispute Resolution: Commercial litigation - (02)Décideurs 2025 – France Marketing, Communication & Digital - (03)Décideurs 2025 – France Promotion & Construction [More distinctions](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/distinctions/?search_tax-expertise%5B%5D=commercial-and-international-contracts) ## *Latest* News [26/05/26 Legal Article 4 min Transatlantic litigation: when U.S. discovery clashes with French international public policy](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/legal-article/transatlantic-litigation-when-u-s-discovery-clashes-with-french-international-public-policy/) 01 01 Précédent Suivant [Find our latest news](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/le-hub/) News ## *FAQ* ### (01) How can a law firm specializing in commercial contracts secure your framework agreements and general terms? Every business relationship rests on contractual documents whose robustness determines the protection of your interests and the continuity of your operations. An imbalance in clauses, regulatory non-compliance or drafting ambiguity can generate costly disputes and weaken your commercial position. We design and negotiate all key business agreements (framework agreements, general terms and conditions of sale and purchase, bespoke contracts, industrial partnerships, supply agreements), balancing interest protection, operational flexibility and regulatory compliance. We intervene early to anticipate friction points, support you during negotiations to defend key positions, and review existing contracts as laws evolve or new risks emerge. ### (02) What legal risks affect distribution networks and commercial partnerships in France? Structuring a distribution network (franchisees, commercial agents, distributors, B2B or B2C partners) exposes companies to specific risks: requalification of intermediaries, termination indemnities for established commercial relationships, and unfair competition claims. Article L. 442-1 of the French Commercial Code sanctions the sudden termination of established commercial relationships without sufficient written notice, with a notice period capped at eighteen months. We design the contractual architecture of your networks, legally qualify each intermediary, negotiate exclusivity and territoriality clauses, and anticipate imbalances likely to escalate into disputes. ### (03) How can you secure B2B and B2C sales contracts in a digital environment? The proliferation of sales channels (e-commerce, marketplaces, SaaS platforms, subscriptions) requires adapting contracts to the consumer regulations specific to each model. In B2C transactions, Article L. 221-18 of the French Consumer Code grants consumers a fourteen-day withdrawal period for any contract concluded at a distance or away from business premises. Non-compliance of general terms on this point, on pre-contractual information obligations or on prohibited clauses can result in administrative penalties or collective actions. We draft and secure B2B and B2C sales contracts, tailoring each framework to the specifics of the channel concerned while maintaining overall legal coherence. ### (04) Why audit your contractual practices in light of GDPR, anti-corruption and ESG requirements? Regulatory developments (GDPR, Sapin II Act, ESG obligations, international sanctions) continuously transform the framework within which your contracts operate. Previously compliant clauses may become unfair or unbalanced, exposing the company to DGCCRF inspections, civil fines of up to 5% of turnover under Article L. 442-4 of the French Commercial Code, or liability claims. We audit your contractual portfolios, identify non-compliance issues, and develop a prioritized action plan. We also assist companies during DGCCRF inspections, respond to regulatory demands and negotiate with authorities to minimize exposure to sanctions. ### (05) How can contract management tools help industrialize your legal operations? As the volume of contracts grows, so do risks of errors, uncontrolled renewals and excessive signature delays. We support the implementation of contract governance strategies: centralized contract repositories, process digitalization, monitoring of critical deadlines (renewals, terminations, amendments), and template standardization. We design negotiation playbooks, clause libraries and validation workflows tailored to your organization, integrating team training and CLM (contract lifecycle management) tool adoption. Mastering the contract lifecycle reduces signature times and strengthens traceability at scale. ### (06) How should you handle disputes arising from complex commercial contracts or a DGCCRF investigation? Commercial disputes (wrongful termination, non-performance, hidden defects, warranty claims, cross-border litigation) generate operational and reputational impact that must be contained swiftly. We manage the entire process, whether through court proceedings, international arbitration or settlement negotiations, with a focus on preserving business relationships. Our work also covers administrative investigations (DGCCRF, sector-specific regulators), responses to formal notices and defense against enforcement actions. Each case is managed as a risk to be contained, with particular attention to reputation. ### (07) Why choose August Debouzy as your law firm for commercial contracts? Executives, legal departments, mid-sized companies, international groups and public entities entrust us with drafting, negotiating and defending their critical contracts in France and abroad. We bring structure to the complexity of fragmented legal environments and extraterritorial regulations in the service of our clients’ interests. Our approach integrates strategic thinking, multijurisdictional compliance and operational efficiency at every stage: building robust contractual frameworks, negotiating sustainable terms, auditing existing practices, and managing disputes and regulatory investigations. Every contract is designed as both a protective and a growth instrument.