{"id":109550,"date":"2025-08-07T10:21:29","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T10:21:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=109550"},"modified":"2025-08-14T13:43:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T13:43:57","slug":"france-competition-litigation","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/france-competition-litigation\/","title":{"rendered":"France: Competition Litigation"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-109550","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-competition-litigation","jurisdictions-france"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Fr\u00e9get Glaser &amp; Associ\u00e9s<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2023\/01\/Logo-FGA.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Fr\u00e9get Glaser &amp; Associ\u00e9s<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2023\/01\/Logo-FGA.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of Competition Litigation laws and regulations applicable in France<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What types of conduct and causes of action can be relied upon as the basis of a competition damages claim?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In the context of a competition damages action, claimants may seek compensation for harm caused by an infringement of competition law, such as a cartel or an abuse of a dominant position. Additionally, infringements of specific provisions of French competition law can also give rise to such actions. These include the abuse of economic dependence, the imposition of unfairly low prices, and more recently, breaches related to exclusive import rights in overseas territories or measures aimed at enhancing competition between taxi booking platforms (art. L. 481-1 of the French Commercial Code (FCC)).<\/p>\n<p>Claims may be brought either on a contractual basis \u2013 for instance, when a clause in the contract breaches competition law \u2013 or under general tort law (follow-on or stand-alone).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is required (e.g. in terms of procedural formalities and standard of pleading) in order to commence a competition damages claim?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There is no requirement to undertake prior mediation or pre-litigation discussions, unless such a procedure is contractually agreed between the parties.<\/p>\n<p>Procedural formalities to initiate a competition damages claim are not different from the usual procedural obligations.\u00a0To initiate such action, the claimant must serve a writ of summons before the competent court. The pleading must include (i) a substantiated presentation of the infringement \u2013 relying, where applicable, on a decision by a competition authority (in the case of a follow-on action) \u2013 (ii) estimation of the damage and (iii) the causal link between the infringement and the harm suffered.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, as of 1 January 2025, the commencement of proceedings before the economic activity court is subject to the payment of a contribution for economic justice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What remedies are available to claimants in competition damages claims?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Two types of competition damages claims:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 0\">\n<li>a follow-on action, which is brought after a public enforcement decision by a competition authority. In such cases, the claimant can rely on the findings of the competition authority, particularly regarding the existence of an infringement. This significantly eases the burden of proof for the claimant.<\/li>\n<li>a stand-alone action, where the claimant initiates proceedings independently, without a prior infringement decision by a competition authority. In this scenario, the claimant bears the full burden of proving the existence of the infringement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Furthermore, claimants may rely on the nullity of any contractual provisions, agreements, or commitments that infringe competition law (art. L. 420-3 FCC). Such nullity, which has retroactive effect, enables the claimant to request the restitution of sums unduly paid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the measure of damages? To what extent is joint and several liability recognised in competition damages claims? Are there any exceptions (e.g. for leniency applicants)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The assessment of each head of damage must be carried out in accordance with the principle of full compensation, by comparing the actual situation, in which the anticompetitive conduct occurred, with the counterfactual scenario that would have prevailed in the absence of such conduct. This involves reconstructing the market and then the claimant\u2019s position in a hypothetical situation, which requires the use of economic methods (such as comparisons over time or across different markets).<\/p>\n<p>Damages for competition law infringements may cover various categories of loss (art. L. 481-3 FCC): (1) actual loss, resulting from the increased costs and\/or a fall in revenue, (2) opportunity cost, (3) loss of chance and (4) moral prejudice. This list is not exhaustive.<\/p>\n<p>Where several undertakings have contributed to the infringement that caused the harm, they are jointly and severally liable to compensate the victim, in proportion to the gravity of their respective faults and their causal role in the occurrence of the harm. The claimant may therefore bring an action against any one of the liable undertakings, which must compensate the entire damage and may then seek contribution from its co-infringers.<\/p>\n<p>In certain circumstances, undertakings may be exempt from joint and several liability: this is the case for small or medium-sized enterprises with a limited market share, and for an undertaking that has been granted full immunity from fines under a leniency programme (see Q.17).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the relevant limitation periods for competition damages claims? How can they be suspended or interrupted?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The limitation period for bringing a competition damages claim in France is five years. It starts running from the moment the injured party knew, or can reasonably be considered to have known, cumulatively, of: the existence of the infringement, the harm suffered because of it and the identity of the infringer (art. L. 482-1 FCC).<\/p>\n<p>Regarding follow-on cases, the limitation period is interrupted by (i) any investigation initiated by the competition authority (or the European Commission) and remains interrupted until the decision of the competition authority or of any ensuing appellate court can no longer be challenged by an ordinary form of judicial review (i.e. excluding therefore an appeal to the Supreme Court) (art. L. 462-7 FCC) and (ii) any judicial act, including any claim (art. 2241 of the French Civil Code).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Which local courts and\/or tribunals deal with competition damages claims?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In France, competition damages claims are brought before the civil, commercial or administrative courts, depending on the nature of the claimant or the defendant.<\/p>\n<p>There is a specialisation of civil and commercial courts for individual actions (art. R. 420-3 FCC): jurisdiction over civil litigation relating to anticompetitive practices lies, at first instance, with 8 judicial courts and 8 commercial courts (for claimants who are neither traders nor artisans) \u2013 some of these are now referred to as \u2018economic activity courts\u2019). On appeal, exclusive jurisdiction is vested in the Paris Court of Appeal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How does the court determine whether it has jurisdiction over a competition damages claim?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>French courts have jurisdiction over a competition damages claim in any of the following three scenarios: when the defendant\u2019s residence or place of business is located in France, when the anti-competitive conduct occurred within in France or when the harm was suffered in France (art. 4 and 7 of Regulation (EU) No 1215\/2012 recast).<\/p>\n<p>In certain circumstances, in the case of contractual claims, a jurisdiction clause may also apply (ECJ, 21 May 2015,\u00a0C-352\/13, <em>CDC Hydrogen Peroxide<\/em> and 24 October 2018, C-595\/17,<em> Apples Sales International<\/em>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How does the court determine what law will apply to the competition damages claim?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In cases of cross-border anticompetitive practices, the applicable law is determined under Article 6 of Regulation No 864\/2007 (Rome II). According to this rule, the law applicable to damages claim arising from an infringement of competition law is that of the country where the market is affected or is likely to be affected. If several markets are affected, the claimant who sues in the court of the defendant&#8217;s domicile, can decide to choose the law of this court, provided that the market of this Member State is or has been affected directly and substantially by the competition restriction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the applicable standard of proof?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The claimant bears the burden of proving the existence of the infringement, the causal link, and the harm suffered \u2013 which is facilitated when a decision has already been issued by the French Competition Authority (FCA), as such a decision gives rise to an irrefutable presumption of infringement.<\/p>\n<p>Evidence is not subject to formal rules and may be freely submitted, provided it is obtained and presented in accordance with the principle of fairness. It is always possible to request the disclosure or production of documents held by the opposing party (see Q. 23).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">To what extent are local courts bound by the infringement decisions of (domestic or foreign) competition authorities?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>French courts are bound by a final decision of the FCA establishing an anticompetitive infringement. The same rule applies to decisions of the European Commission. A finding of infringement by a final decision of the FCA or the European Commission (i.e. a decision that can no longer be appealed) is deemed irrefutably established.<\/p>\n<p>As for decisions issued by the competition authority of another European Union Member state, they are treated as evidence only and do not carry an irrefutable presumption (Art. L. 481-2 FCC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">To what extent can a private damages action proceed while related public enforcement action is pending? Is there a procedure permitting enforcers to stay a private action while the public enforcement action is pending?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Public and private enforcement can occur simultaneously. If a public enforcement action is ongoing, the court may stay the proceedings \u2013 either at a party\u2019s request or on their own motion \u2013 until the competition authority&#8217;s final decision on the anticompetitive infringement (art. 378 FCC). If the court decides not to suspend proceedings, it must avoid taking any decision that conflicts with a decision adopted or expected from the Commission or the FCA (ECJ, 12 January 2023,\u00a0C-57\/21<em> RegioJet<\/em>).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What, if any, mechanisms are available to aggregate competition damages claims (e.g. class actions, assignment\/claims vehicles, or consolidation of claims through case management)? What, if any, threshold criteria have to be met?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Two types of mechanism of aggregation of competition damages claims:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 0\">\n<li>class action: a recent reform, enacted on 30 April 2025 (Law No. 2025-391), allows for representative actions to be brought on behalf of natural or legal persons who are in a similar situation arising from the same breach or from a breach of a similar nature of legal or contractual obligations. Only a certified association specifically authorised for this purpose is entitled to bring such an action.<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">This type of action may be third-party funded, provided that the funding is transparent and does not have the purpose or effect of granting the third-party influence over the initiation or conduct of the collective action in a manner that could be detrimental to the interests of the represented persons.<\/li>\n<li>joint representation: a certified consumer association, recognised as representative at a national level, can act on behalf of multiple consumers who suffered a damage caused by the same defendants (art. L. 622-1 of the French Consumer Code).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In addition, other third-party funded mechanisms are also available, such as the assignment of claims, which must be recorded in writing and notified to the debtor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any defences (e.g. pass on) which are unique to competition damages cases? Which party bears the burden of proof?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There is the passing-on defence, whereby the defendant may argue, as a defence against a claim for damages, that the claimant passed on, in whole or in part, the overcharge resulting from the infringement of competition law. The burden of proof regarding the passing-on of overcharges is borne by the infringing party invoking the defence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is expert evidence permitted in competition litigation, and, if so, how is it used? Is the expert appointed by the court or the parties and what duties do they owe?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Expert evidence is essential in competition law damages claims, especially for assessing the complex quantification of damages.<\/p>\n<p>Judicial expert evidence is permitted in competition litigation. It is an investigatory measure ordered by the court to assist it in assessing technical or economic matters (art. 232 of the French Code of Civil Procedure (FCCP)). Such an expert may be appointed either upon request by one of the parties or on the court\u2019s own motion. The expert is selected from an official list and must comply with procedural rules, in particular the principles of adversarial process and the rights of the defence.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, a party may commission its own private expert report. This unilateral expert opinion is non-judicial and not subject to the adversarial process \u2013 which means that, according to the principle of adversarial debate, the court cannot rely on the unchallenged expert evidence from one party.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Describe the trial process. Who is the decision-maker at trial? How is evidence dealt with? Is it written or oral, and what are the rules on cross-examination?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>In civil, commercial, and administrative courts, cares are generally decided by a three-judge panel. Each party must present evidence to support their claims, which must be shared with the opposing parties to ensure a fair adversarial debate.<\/p>\n<p>In commercial courts, there is a principle of freedom of evidence, meaning claims can be proven using any type of evidence (on contrary, civil courts mainly rely on legal evidence). Once the court is seized, the parties exchange written arguments and documents, which are also communicated to the court. During such phase, judges have the authority to order a party or even a third party to produce specific evidence if necessary, and they can appoint experts when needed. There is no cross-examination.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How long does it typically take from commencing proceedings to get to trial? Is there an appeal process? How many levels of appeal are possible?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The time between the initiation of proceedings and the trial hearing is around 18 months. The Paris Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to hear appeals against first instance judgments (within the judicial order). It is possible to lodge an appeal on points of law against the judgment of the Paris Court of Appeal before the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do leniency recipients receive any benefit in the damages litigation context?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There are two derogations applicable to an immunity recipient (i.e. a company granted full exemption from fines under the leniency programme):<\/p>\n<p>(i) the immunity recipient is jointly and severally liable for harm suffered by injured parties other than its direct or indirect purchasers or providers only if such injured parties are unable to obtain full compensation from the other co-infringers, despite having first pursued them unsuccessfully (art. L. 481-11 of the FCC).<\/p>\n<p>(ii) where the injured parties are direct or indirect purchasers or providers of the co-infringers, the contribution of the immunity recipient to the compensation cannot exceed the amount of harm caused to its own direct or indirect contractual partners (art. L. 481-2 of the FCC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How does the court approach the assessment of loss in competition damages cases? Are \u201cumbrella effects\u201d recognised? Is any particular economic methodology favoured by the court?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The judge must assess the loss as accurately as possible, without awarding lump-sum damages. The evaluation of each type of damage must be carried out in accordance with the principle of full compensation. Umbrella damages are indeed recognised.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How is interest calculated in competition damages cases?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Compensatory interest is awarded to reflect the time value of money and ensure full compensation for the harm suffered. It serves to compensate both monetary erosion and the unavailability of capital resulting from the competition law infringement.<\/p>\n<p>As with principal damage, the calculation is based on a reasonable counterfactual scenario, assessing how the victim would have used the funds if it had been available at the appropriate time.<\/p>\n<p>The amount of interest is based on a rate that reflects the use the injured party could have made of the sum, applied over a specific period (from the start of the infringement until the date of the judgment). Various rates may be used: the statutory interest rate, the WACC (\u2018weighted average cost of capital\u2019), the marginal rate at which financing resources are obtained, etc. (see sheet No 7 of the Paris Court of Appeal).<\/p>\n<p>A specific interest rate must be applied for each year during which the claimant was deprived of the sums of money, taking into account the progressive nature of the constitution of the harm suffered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Can a defendant seek contribution or indemnity from other defendants? On what basis is liability allocated between defendants?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>There is a principle of joint and several liability among co-responsible parties (see Q. 4).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In what circumstances, if any, can a competition damages claim be disposed of (in whole or in part) without a full trial?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Settlement, mediation, arbitration, etc. are frequently used methods for resolving in competition damages claim. When one of the infringers reaches a settlement with the claimant, the other co-infringers are prevented from seeking contribution from the settling party (art. L. 481-13 FCC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What, if any, mechanism is available for the collective settlement of competition damages claims? Can such settlements include parties outside of the jurisdiction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Consumer associations can participate to a mediation (art. 16 of Law No. 2025-391 of 30 April 2025). The judge may, with the parties\u2019 agreement, appoint a mediator. When an agreement is reached, it must be approved by the judge to become enforceable, who will assess whether the agreement protects consumers&#8217; interests.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the rules for disclosure of documents (including documents from the competition authority file or from other third parties)? Are there any exceptions (e.g. on grounds of privilege or confidentiality, or in respect of leniency or settlement materials)?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>It is possible to rely on the general procedural tools, notably measures <em>in futurum<\/em> for disclosure in anticipation of proceedings (art. 145 FCCP) as well as judicial disclosure mechanisms (art. 138 et seq. FCCP). Moreover, specific provisions applicable to follow-on litigation allow, under certain conditions, the disclosure of documents from the competition authority\u2019s file, except for those related to leniency or settlement (art. L. 483-4 et seq. FCC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What procedures, if any, are available to protect confidential or proprietary information disclosed during the court process?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The protection of business secrets may be invoked to oppose the disclosure or production of evidence. This may lead to the sequestration of documents (art. R. 153-1 FCC) or the establishment of a confidentiality ring (art. R. 153-6 FCC), within which only authorised persons are granted access to the protected materials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Can litigation costs (e.g. legal, expert and court fees) be recovered from the other party? If so, how are costs calculated, and are there any circumstances in which costs recovery can be limited?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Litigation costs may be recovered from the opposing party under the following categories:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 0\">\n<li>court costs (\u2018d\u00e9pens\u2019), costs related to the proceedings and procedural acts, are generally borne by the losing party.<\/li>\n<li>non-recoverable costs (\u2018frais irr\u00e9p\u00e9tibles\u2019): these include costs not covered by court costs, such as legal fees, expert reports (including economists), and other related expenses (art. 700 FCCP). It is advisable to provide supporting documentation (invoices), although this is not mandatory. But in the absence of evidence, the court may award a lower amount. There is no statutory cap on these costs, but in practice, judges often grant an amount lower than what is claimed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are third parties permitted to fund competition litigation? If so, are there any restrictions on this, and can third party funders be made liable for the other party\u2019s costs? Are lawyers permitted to act on a contingency or conditional fee basis?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Third-party funding of competition law claims is available in France and is increasingly developing. This can occur within the framework of a class action (see Q.12) or through other mechanisms, such as the assignment of claims (where claimants sell their right to claim to third parties).<\/p>\n<p>As for the payment of the opposing party&#8217;s costs, the court cannot order a person who is not a party to the proceedings to pay such costs. Therefore, the allocation of costs will depend on the type of funding and the agreements concluded between the third-party funder and the funded party (for example, in the case of an assignment of claims, the third-party funder will bear the costs).<\/p>\n<p>In France, lawyers are not permitted to act on conditional fees. Success fees are allowed, but only as a supplement to a fixed fee. In practice, this supplement generally represents around 15% of the amounts recovered.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What, in your opinion, are the main obstacles to litigating competition damages claims?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p class=\"BodyA\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">We consider that today\u2019s principal obstacles are, first, the inequality of resources between the undertakings that engage in anti-competitive practices and the victims of those practices, whose individual stakes sometimes do not justify bringing proceedings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"BodyA\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Access to evidence is also a critical issue. Securing the cartel\u2019s evidentiary material is often difficult, either because trade-secret protection is invoked or because the procedures for obtaining disclosure are lengthy and costly.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What, in your opinion, are likely to be the most significant developments affecting competition litigation in the next five years?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The main developments will be as follows:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 0\">\n<li>access to external funding that will enable victims to litigate on a level playing field with the perpetrators;<\/li>\n<li>compensation of victims for the full extent of the loss actually suffered, based on increasingly detailed economic analyses debated on an adversarial basis;<\/li>\n<li>easier access to evidence, including the emergence of a French-style discovery mechanism; and, in light of the latest reforms, a steadily broader ability to proceed by way of collective actions, thereby allowing victims to combine their claims.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">3544<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/109550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}