Services for Individuals -

French Law & Property

“It is a big advantage to have a lawyer with first-hand experience of the French legal system ”

Introduction

Our French law and property department, which is based in London offers specialist, bilingual assistance to clients buying or selling property or with business dealings in France.

The department is renowned for its experience in a number of areas of French law, including:


French Property Website

The French department has launched its own dedicated French property website, which provides a comprehensive resource for people looking to buy a property or set up a business in France.

Click to visit www.frenchpropertylaw.co.uk


French Desk
Russell-Cooke offers a dedicated service for French Businesses who are looking to expand their business interests into the UK. Click for more details in French or English.

 

French Expatriates
The French department can now offer tax and legal advice to French individuals settling in the UK in collaboration with the Private Client department).

Click to visit http://www.russell-cooke.co.uk/serv_ind_taxation.htm

 

People

The team is lead by Dawn Alderson an experienced bilingual avocat and solicitor qualified in both French and English law who has practiced in France for over a decade prior to joining Russell-Cooke in 2000.

She works with:

Patrick Delas a French avocat and solicitor with extensive experience in French estate planning, tax and business issues.

They have recently been joined by Veronique Cardon who is trained as a notaire (diplomée notaire) and worked for a large notarial practice in Paris for a number of years before moving to London.

Click on a name on the left to bring up a biography.

Tel: 020 8394 6374

» E-mail our helpdesk

 

Click on a name below to bring up a biography:

Dawn Alderson

Patrick Delas

Véronique Cardon

 

» Request our departmental brochure

 

Legal Guides & Articles

French Wealth Tax Update - The small to medium companies rebate
For the first time this year, taxpayers investing in the capital of small to medium companies may benefit from a rebate?

Patrick Delas looks at the updated details for 2008.

Full article


French Wealth Tax New Schedule *2008 Update*
French wealth tax (impôt de solidarité sur la fortune – ISF) applies to UK residents whose French assets have a net value of more than 770,000 Euros (approx, £500,000) with a
number of exclusions, in particular for businesses and non-resident financial assets.

Patrick Delas looks at the updated details for 2008.

Full article

 

The French S.C.I. (Société Civile Immobilière)
Clients often ask if an SCI would be an appropriate vehicle for them to purchase a property in France.

The French law department explains what an SCI is and highlights the advantages and disadvantages of using one to set up a French property holding company.
05/08

Full article

 

French Planning Issues
Since planning permission is required for almost every new or converted building, this article highlights France's various legal planning requirements and restrictions, and highlights the categories of construction that are exempt from planning regulations.
05/08

Full article  

 

Impulse Buying may be a thing of the Past
A change to the law governing French property purchases means that those looking to buy a home in France are given time to reflect on their potential purchase, without fear of financial penalty.

Dawn Alderson explains.
05/08

Full article  

 

Purchasing a Property in France


This article is the updated version of a chapter written by Dawn Alderson for Going to France – Your life and Business companion. Published by the French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain.
05/08

Click here to download the Purchasing a Property in France chapter.

 

Taxation of your French Rental Income - The Charms of the Micro-BIC
UK residents often choose to rent out their French property
to cover maintenance costs. Patrick Delas highlights how this is regarded in France and what you need to be aware of.
03/08

Full article

French Inheritence Tax Table
 As from 1st January 2008 (Euros).
01/08

Full article 

What do do if someone dies leaving French assets
If someone dies while living in France or lives outside France but leaves French property the situation is markedly different to that in the UK.

01/08

Full article  

 

 

When a Dream Turns Sour
Planning a move to France? It is important to remember that one in three French marriages also ends divorce.
01/08

Full article

 

Child abduction happens in France Too
Moving abroad can raise serious child abduction issues.

This article explains how moving to France affected one English family.
01/08

Full article

 


 

 

Setting up a Businesss in France: "Bureau de Liaison", Branch or Subsiduary?
A UK investor has three options when setting up a business
in France. Patrick Delas highlights the various legal issues and taxation regimes, and considers the amount of investment required to set-up each option.
12/07

Full article

 

Incapacitated Adults, English and French Perspectives
This article examines the issues faced when a client lacks the mental capacity to manage their own property and affairs. In particular, it focuses on circumstances when an English national owns property in France, and the incapacitated adult (hereafter, ‘the adult’) wishes to dispose of that property.
12/07

Full Article  

 

Division of Assets on Divorce When a Property in France is Concerned
Family law practitioners are increasingly confronted with a situation where a couple’s assets include French property. Problems inevitably arise when the issue is addressed within a wholly UK context, ignoring the need for early specialist advice as to the implications of any proposal for the French property. Dawn Alderson and Richard Frimston look at the issues involve.
05/ 07

Full Article  

 

Cross Border Legacies and Charities
For an ever increasing number of UK nationals holding property abroad, a bequest of the foreign immovables to a charity would seem a simple and convenient solution to deal with the property on their death. Dawn Alderson explains that the reality is somewhat different.
12/02/07

Full Article  

French Inheritance Tax Tables

The law relating to succession and inheritance tax in France is very different from that in England. Russell-Cooke's French Law department provides a brief outline of the differences and highlights what you need to be aware of.