---
title: "Public Law"
id: "2033"
type: "expertise"
slug: "public-law"
published_at: "2026-01-26T08:53:21+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-07-28T13:31:32+00:00"
url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/public-law/"
markdown_url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/public-law.md"
excerpt: "Structuring operations in a demanding regulatory environment Keeping pace with regulatory developments, securing projects subject to public authority oversight, and maintaining effective dialogue with administrative bodies are decisive advantages for businesses operating in France and across Europe. Our team covers..."
taxonomy_language:
  - "English"
taxonomy_post_translations:
  - "pll_69772b81a4f2e"
taxonomy_tax_expertise:
  - "Public Law"
taxonomy_tax_famille_expertise:
  - "Regulatory"
---

## Structuring operations *in a demanding regulatory environment*

Keeping pace with regulatory developments, securing projects subject to public authority oversight, and maintaining effective dialogue with administrative bodies are decisive advantages for businesses operating in France and across Europe.

Our team covers public procurement, urban planning, environmental law, regulated industries, European law, and administrative litigation. We draw on the experience of former senior officials who have held key positions within French and European administrations, as well as former partners from leading international law firms. This combined perspective gives us a comprehensive and strategic understanding of our clients’ challenges.

French and international private companies, investors, and public and semi-public operators entrust us with their most complex projects, particularly in the rail, healthcare, aerospace, and energy sectors.

## *our*Capabilities

### (01) Public Procurement Procedures

Feasibility assessments, drafting tender documents, competitive bidding and publication, structuring applications, designing evaluation grids, selecting bids, negotiating contractual terms (including financing and guarantees), analyzing tax implications, managing contract amendments, and resolving performance issues: we assist clients throughout the entire procurement cycle.

Concessions, partnerships, and complex contractual structures require the same level of technical precision. Public and private stakeholders rely on this integrated approach to execute their projects and secure every stage of the procurement process.

### (02) Public Property and Land Use

Real estate development on public land, occupation and use of the public domain, and the enhancement of public assets through renovation or redevelopment all require a precise understanding of public property rules. We assist public, semi-public, and private stakeholders with every issue related to the public domain, including outsourcing asset management functions.

Each engagement incorporates administrative constraints as well as performance objectives. We structure the legal frameworks that enable efficient operation, development, and value creation within the public domain.

### (03) Planning and Urban Development Procedures

Feasibility assessments, land acquisitions or disposals, contractual negotiations, applications for administrative permits, auditing and drafting planning and development documents, structuring and financing operations, pre-emption and expropriation procedures, and real estate asset audits: we support every stage of your projects.

Developers, investors, and local authorities rely on our tailored legal and operational guidance. We coordinate interactions with public authorities to accelerate project development and secure each step of the process.

### (04) Public–Private Partnerships

Public service delegations and public–private partnerships require continuous legal and financial oversight, from risk assessment through to contract termination. We assist clients at every stage, including developing risk matrices, drafting consultation documents, managing procurement procedures, negotiating contractual terms, finalizing agreements, overseeing financing arrangements, and supporting contract performance.

Public bodies and private operators alike rely on our advice to meet the specific demands of these complex structures. We monitor regulatory developments and help prevent disputes through proactive and strategic project management.

### (05) Regulated Industries

We advise clients in their dealings with sectoral regulators and supervisory authorities. Our expertise is particularly strong in network industries, including energy, transportation, and healthcare. We also assist clients operating in essential public services such as water, waste management, and public utilities.

### (06) Parliamentary Hearings and Inquiry Committees

We have developed strong expertise in preparing and supporting companies and executives called to testify before parliamentary committees and inquiry missions. Our work includes analyzing the legal framework governing the hearing, preparing briefing materials, conducting mock hearings, and assisting clients during the session before members of Parliament.

We ensure that our clients deliver responses that are clear, precise, and legally sound while safeguarding their strategic interests and public image.

### (07) Public Law Litigation

We represent clients before administrative courts in all types of public law disputes, including actions for annulment, applications for suspension, pre-contract and contract-related injunctions, emergency liberty proceedings, and priority constitutional questions (QPC). Our practice covers the full spectrum of administrative litigation.

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/)

[Marc Mossé ( Senior Counsel )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/marc-mosse/)

[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/)

Précédent     Suivant

## Contact Us

## *our*References

Public Law

#### Defense Manufacturer – Export Authorizations

Advice and assistance to a French defense industry manufacturer in connection with obtaining regulatory authorizations for the export of military equipment.

Public Law

#### French Web3 Unicorn – Regulation of Monetizable Games

Assistance to France’s leading blockchain gaming company in connection with its potential submission to French gambling regulations. The firm is assisting the client in drafting a bill regulating monetizable digital games and in its discussions with the French National Gaming Authority (ANJ). The matter also involves EU law issues.

Public Law

#### Energy Company – Strategic Gas Infrastructure

Advice to an energy group on regulatory and permitting aspects relating to its Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) project aimed at supplying up to 5% of national gas requirements at the French State’s request.

*Rankings*& Recognitions

m

- (01)Best Lawyers 2027 – France Public Regulatory / Environment / Real Estate
- (02)Best Lawyers 2027 – France Public Regulatory / Environment / Real Estate
- (03)Forbes 2026 – France Top 40 of CAC 40 lawyers

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

## *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/)

[29/08/25 Legal Article 2 min Foreign Investment Control in France: Key Takeaways from the 2024 Report The 2024 annual report on foreign investment control in France confirms the continued strengthening of the screening mechanism, balancing economic attractiveness with strategic sovereignty.](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/legal-article/foreign-investment-control-in-france-key-takeaways-from-the-2024-report/)

[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/)

[26/06/24 Legal Article 9 min 10 Years of Increased Control over Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in France France, Europe’s most attractive business location for the fifth year running, held its annual Choose France foreign investment summit in Versailles on May 13th. A large number of foreign companies, seduced by the economic and legal environment offered by our country, have decided to invest in French companies or to carry out their projects here, such as Microsoft’s record investment to set up its datacenters.](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/legal-article/10-years-of-increased-control-over-foreign-direct-investments-fdis-in-france/)

[23/05/24 Legal Article 5 min Economic and Administrative Simplification Bill: What’s New in Public Procurement? The government has recently unveiled its new simplification action plan for businesses, entitled ‘Let’s Simplify!’. It is the result of a public consultati](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/legal-article/economic-and-administrative-simplification-bill-whats-new-in-public-procurement/)

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Précédent     Suivant

[Find our latest news](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/le-hub/)
News

## *FAQ*

### (01) How does a law firm specializing in public law support public procurement procedures?

Every public purchasing operation must comply with rules on publicity, competitive tendering and selection; non-compliance can result in the annulment of the entire procedure. Since 1 January 2026, the threshold for formal procurement procedures stands at EUR 5,404,000 excluding VAT for works contracts and EUR 216,000 excluding VAT for supply and service contracts of local authorities. We assist clients throughout the procurement cycle: feasibility assessments, drafting tender documents, structuring applications, evaluation grids, bid selection, contractual negotiation, contract amendments and resolution of performance issues. Concessions and complex structures require the same level of technical precision.

### (02) What legal issues govern the occupation and development of public property?

Developing real estate on public land, occupying the public domain or enhancing public assets requires balancing administrative constraints with economic performance objectives. Any private occupation of the public domain requires a formal title (permit or agreement) and payment of a fee. We support public, semi-public and private stakeholders on all issues related to the public domain: real estate development, renovation and outsourcing of asset management. We structure the legal frameworks that enable efficient operation and value creation within the public domain while respecting the applicable regulatory framework.

### (03) How can you secure a planning or urban development project in the face of administrative requirements?

Each development project involves a sequence of regulatory steps (planning permits, pre-emption, expropriation, planning documents) whose non-compliance can block or significantly delay the operation. We support every phase: feasibility assessments, land acquisitions or disposals, contractual negotiations, applications for administrative permits, auditing and drafting planning documents, structuring and financing operations, and real estate asset audits. Developers, investors and local authorities rely on our approach to coordinate interactions with public authorities and accelerate their projects. Mastering the administrative timetable is key to a project’s economic viability.

### (04) What legal support is required for public-private partnerships and public service delegations?

Public service delegations and public-private partnerships require continuous legal and financial oversight, from risk assessment through to contract termination. Article L. 2141-1 of the French Public Procurement Code provides for the mandatory exclusion of candidates convicted of certain offences for a period of five years from the date of conviction. We assist public bodies and private operators at each stage: risk matrix development, drafting consultation documents, procurement procedures, clause negotiation, contract finalization, financing arrangements and performance phases. Preventing disputes starts with rigorous structuring upstream.

### (05) How does a public law firm advise on regulated industries and parliamentary hearings?

Companies operating in network industries (energy, transport, healthcare, water, waste management, public utilities) must maintain a constant dialogue with sectoral regulators. We advise our clients in their dealings with these authorities and regulatory bodies. We have also developed strong expertise in preparing and supporting companies and executives called to testify before parliamentary committees and inquiry missions: legal framework analysis, briefing preparation, mock hearings and assistance during the session before members of Parliament. The goal is to safeguard strategic interests while delivering legally sound responses.

### (06) What remedies are available in administrative litigation and how can they be pursued effectively?

An unsuccessful bidder in a public procurement procedure has a standstill period of eleven days (where notification is made electronically) before the contract is signed to bring a pre-contractual injunction application, in accordance with Article R. 551-5 of the French Administrative Justice Code. Beyond this remedy, we represent clients before administrative courts in actions for annulment, suspension applications, contractual injunctions, emergency liberty proceedings and priority constitutional questions (QPC). Each dispute is managed to minimize operational impact and preserve project continuity.

### (07) Why choose August Debouzy as your law firm for public law in France?

Our team covers public procurement, urban planning, environmental law, regulated industries, European law and administrative litigation. We draw on the experience of former senior officials who held key positions within French and European administrations, as well as former partners from leading international law firms. French and international private companies, investors, and public and semi-public operators entrust us with their most complex projects, particularly in the rail, healthcare, aerospace and energy sectors. This combined perspective gives us a comprehensive and strategic understanding of our clients’ challenges.