Litigation lawyers
Defending what matters to you.
Infringement, commercial disputes, reputation attacks, contract breaches, shareholder conflicts: INFLUXIO defends executives, companies, creators and investors from Paris and Brussels, in claim and defence, from emergency interim proceedings through to enforcement, before civil and commercial courts.
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What is the role of a Litigation lawyer ?
A litigation lawyer may bring summary proceedings to seek a protective order, generally ruled on at short notice (Articles 834 and 835 of the Code of Civil Procedure), pursues the case on the merits (five-year limitation, Article 2224 Civil Code and L.110-4 Commercial Code) and enforces the judgment through a judicial officer. Consult one as soon as the dispute arises.
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How we can help you.
Practical examples
Fast removal of a disparaging online publication
A company was the target of an orchestrated disparagement campaign on social media. After securing evidence by bailiff report, INFLUXIO obtained in interim proceedings, under article 835 of the French Code of Civil Procedure, the removal of the content under penalty payment as well as a provision, then identification of the anonymous author under article 145 of the same code.
Condemnation for counterfeiting after seizure
A competitor was reproducing a client's creations. A counterfeiting seizure made it possible to establish the scale of the acts before the action on the merits. The court ordered cessation and awarded 120,000 euros in damages for the loss suffered.
Client reviews
4.9/5 on GoogleWhat our clients say about us.
“Great responsiveness from all team members, with solutions found quickly and efficiently.”
Christ C.
“We entrusted INFLUXIO with a complex case. Their technical expertise, strategic vision and the quality of their legal briefs were decisive.”
Mia-Line C.
“We particularly appreciated the firm's professionalism, responsiveness and ability to defend our interests with conviction, while remaining measured and factual.”
Les Nouvelles A.
“I contacted this firm when launching my influencer marketing agency. Very satisfied with the quality of the work, the responsiveness and the quality of the exchanges.”
Alex E.
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Key takeaways on the litigation lawyer.
The litigation lawyer (avocat plaidant) defends executives, companies, creators and investors before the civil and commercial courts. The mission: assess the opportunity to act, secure the evidence, choose the right procedure (emergency interim proceedings under article 835 of the French Code of Civil Procedure or proceedings on the merits), plead at the hearing and enforce the decision.
INFLUXIO acts in Paris and Brussels, in claim and defence, with a reply within 24 hours. The criminal dimension is covered on our dedicated business criminal law page.
What is a business litigation lawyer ?
Litigation covers all disputes brought, or likely to be brought, before a court. It contrasts with advisory work, which acts upstream to prevent conflict. The litigation lawyer (avocat plaidant) represents and defends clients when a dispute can no longer be avoided.
The role covers the entire dispute chain: analysing the opportunity to act, building evidence, choosing the procedure (emergency interim proceedings, proceedings on the merits, appeals), drafting submissions, pleading at hearing, then enforcing the decision obtained.
The litigator acts both in claim, to assert your rights, and in defence, to push back a claim against you. Asserting rights and controlling risk: this is the central role of the trial lawyer. The litigator's mission is to turn a legal balance of power into a result.
By lucidly assessing the chances of success, securing evidence and choosing the right procedural avenue, the lawyer allows the client to make an informed decision: act, defend or settle. A strategy defined upstream is often worth more than a brilliant but belated plea.
Conflicts and disputes: understanding what is at stake.
A dispute arises from a contractual breach, unpaid invoices, infringement of a right (counterfeiting, disparagement, defamation) or shareholder disagreement. Each procedure follows specific jurisdiction, deadline and evidence rules that drive the outcome.
Our firm helps you understand these subtleties, assess your chances and arbitrate between negotiation, interim proceedings and proceedings on the merits.
Litigation and strategy: what implications for your interests ?
Litigation is not an end in itself, but a lever serving an objective: stopping an attack, obtaining compensation, recovering a debt or protecting reputation. A well-conducted procedure, or a settlement negotiated at the right moment, strengthens your position and deters future attacks.
This is why we always reason in terms of result and cost, not procedure for procedure's sake.
Challenges of litigation in the digital and globalised era.
Evidence has gone digital: screenshots, online content, electronic exchanges require rigorous bailiff reports to be admissible. Attacks spread within hours on platforms sometimes established abroad, and the author is often anonymous. The cross-border dimension of disputes finally complicates court jurisdiction and enforcement of decisions.
These challenges make mastery of procedure and evidence more decisive than ever. Litigation is won first by strategy and evidence, before being won at the hearing.
Our know-how.
A poorly initiated dispute can compromise perfectly well-founded rights. Our firm, based in Paris and Brussels, assists you at every step of the procedure: analysis, evidence, action and enforcement.
Defending companies, executives and creators.
Company, executive, startup founder or creator, we represent you in claim and defence, before civil and commercial courts, with the same demand for precise submissions and clear strategy.
Procedural strategy and building evidence.
Before acting, we secure evidence, via bailiff report or, if needed, a measure of investigation ordered before any trial under article 145 of the French Code of Civil Procedure, then we arbitrate the most effective procedural avenue.
Enforcement of decisions in France and internationally.
Obtaining a decision is not enough: it must still be enforced. We implement enforcement measures (penalty payment, attachment) and support enforcement of decisions, including in a cross-border context, particularly Franco-Belgian.
Business litigation: who we defend.
Historically serving actors of new technologies, creative industries and the attention economy, INFLUXIO conducts business litigation with a deep understanding of the business models, contractual practices and breaking points specific to each profession. Our submissions and procedural strategy are calibrated for these target clients, in claim and in defence.
Executives and startup founders.
Shareholder conflicts, enforcement of shareholders' agreements, activation of representations and warranties post-deal, sudden termination of established commercial relationships, post-funding disputes: we defend executives, founders and companies with open capital before the Tribunal des activités économiques and the Tribunal judiciaire, from emergency interim proceedings to enforcement.
Our startups practice allows us to articulate litigation strategy with governance and valuation issues.
Influencer agencies and communication agencies.
Unpaid advertiser invoices, wrongful termination of creator contracts, platform disputes, litigation with talents in breach of contract, DGCCRF and ARCOM investigations with civil implications: our influencer law practice acts in litigation with a fine-grained understanding of management contracts and the rules of the French Act of 9 June 2023.
Influencers, content creators and professional YouTubers.
Exit from agency contracts, remuneration disputes, content seizure and removal, e-reputation attacks, Content ID disputes, litigation with brands or advertisers: we represent creators and YouTubers before civil and commercial courts, with systematic coordination with press litigation when the attack persists online.
Musicians, artists, producers and labels.
Royalty statements, music publishing disputes, SACEM, SPPF, ADAMI and SPEDIDAM litigation, artist and producer contracts: our music law and artists' rights practice takes litigation before the Tribunal judiciaire and arbitral bodies, including infringement of samples and phonographic production disputes.
Audiovisual producers and production companies.
Production and co-production disputes, neighbouring rights claims, disputes with broadcasters and SMAd platforms, exploitation and remuneration litigation: our audiovisual law practice runs these cases relying on the counterfeiting seizure (article L.332-1 of the French IP Code) and pre-trial investigative measures.
Startups, SaaS publishers and new-technology players.
SaaS and cloud disputes, supplier disputes, AI and data litigation, shareholder disputes before or after funding, cybersecurity litigation, Web3 and cryptoasset disputes: our digital DNA allows us to present technical evidence to the court and obtain conservatory measures adapted to the pace of the sector.
Economic Activities Court, civil court or mediation: which route for your business dispute.
Jurisdiction
- Economic Activities Court
- Disputes between traders, commercial acts, commercial companies.
- Civil court
- Civil disputes, mixed contracts, civil tort liability, leases and personal data (IP disputes fall under specialised civil courts, including the Paris Civil Court with exclusive jurisdiction over patents and EU titles).
- Conventional mediation
- Any dispute where the parties accept an amicable resolution.
Indicative cost (first instance)
- Economic Activities Court
- Moderate court fees, variable legal fees.
- Civil court
- Legal fees + procedural costs, possible judicial expertise.
- Conventional mediation
- Mediator's fees (often shared) + legal counsel.
Confidentiality
- Economic Activities Court
- Public hearings, published decisions.
- Civil court
- Public hearings, published decisions.
- Conventional mediation
- Strictly confidential (Art. 21-3, Law of 8 Feb. 1995).
Enforceability
- Economic Activities Court
- Enforceable judgment, standard enforcement measures.
- Civil court
- Enforceable judgment, standard enforcement measures.
- Conventional mediation
- Agreement requires court endorsement to be enforceable.
| Criterion | Economic Activities Court | Civil court | Conventional mediation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Disputes between traders, commercial acts, commercial companies. | Civil disputes, mixed contracts, civil tort liability, leases and personal data (IP disputes fall under specialised civil courts, including the Paris Civil Court with exclusive jurisdiction over patents and EU titles). | Any dispute where the parties accept an amicable resolution. |
| Indicative cost (first instance) | Moderate court fees, variable legal fees. | Legal fees + procedural costs, possible judicial expertise. | Mediator's fees (often shared) + legal counsel. |
| Confidentiality | Public hearings, published decisions. | Public hearings, published decisions. | Strictly confidential (Art. 21-3, Law of 8 Feb. 1995). |
| Enforceability | Enforceable judgment, standard enforcement measures. | Enforceable judgment, standard enforcement measures. | Agreement requires court endorsement to be enforceable. |
Leading your dispute on all fronts: civil and commercial.
Our practice covers all matters where the defence of your interests is at stake, from consular courts to civil courts.
Commercial and contract litigation.
Unpaid invoices, non-performance, sudden termination of established commercial relationships, shareholder conflicts: we defend your interests before the Tribunal des activités économiques and the Tribunal judiciaire, from the formal notice to enforcement.
Intellectual property and counterfeiting litigation.
Trademarks, copyright, designs and models: we initiate and defend infringement and unfair competition actions, relying on counterfeiting seizure to establish proof of attacks.
Digital, press and e-reputation litigation.
Defamation, disparagement, invasion of privacy and image rights, delisting: we act to remove unlawful content, identify its authors and obtain compensation, in interim proceedings and on the merits.
Interim proceedings and emergency measures.
When urgency requires, interim proceedings (référé) allow rapid cessation of a manifestly unlawful disturbance or grant of a provision, under article 835 of the French Code of Civil Procedure, without waiting for the judgment on the merits.
Amicable settlement and enforcement of decisions.
Not every dispute is meant to end at hearing. Negotiation, mediation and settlement protocols often allow a faster and more controlled outcome. When the decision is handed down, we ensure its effective enforcement.
Business criminal law: dedicated page.
Police custody, misuse of corporate assets, fraud, corruption, tax fraud, money laundering, financial cybercrime, CJIP and CRPC: these matters fall under our business criminal law practice, covered on a dedicated page in Paris and Brussels.
Litigation lawyer in Paris: appearing before every court.
Based in Paris, INFLUXIO defends its clients before all Parisian courts: the Tribunal judiciaire de Paris, the Tribunal des activités économiques de Paris (since 1 January 2025, replacing the commercial court on an experimental basis under Law n° 2023-1059 of 20 November 2023), the Paris Court of Appeal and the Press Chambers.
Whether you are looking for a litigation lawyer in Paris for a commercial dispute, a dispute lawyer for an unpaid invoice or a counterfeiting file, or a trial lawyer for emergency interim proceedings or a writ on the merits, our submissions and pleadings are calibrated for the practice of each court.
Our firm also operates in Brussels, allowing us to articulate French and Belgian procedures in cross-border disputes, where jurisdiction, applicable law and enforcement of decisions must be anticipated from the moment the file is opened.
Référé or proceedings on the merits: choosing the right procedure.
The choice of procedural avenue is one of the most structural decisions in business litigation. Référé and proceedings on the merits do not serve the same purposes, do not follow the same deadlines and do not produce the same effects. We arbitrate this choice based on urgency, the degree of contestation of the right and the result sought.
Référé: deciding fast, on a provisional basis.
Référé is the tool of urgency. Under article 835 of the French Code of Civil Procedure, the judge may stop a manifestly unlawful disturbance, prevent imminent damage or grant a provision when the obligation is not seriously contestable.
- Main legal basis: articles 834 and 835 of the French Code of Civil Procedure (interim judge at the Tribunal judiciaire).
- Hearing time: generally from a few days to a few weeks depending on the court and the urgency invoked; an 'hour-to-hour' référé is available in cases of extreme urgency (article 485 paragraph 2 CPC).
- Effect: decision enforceable as of right on a provisional basis (article 514 CPC), with no res judicata authority on the merits (article 488 CPC).
- Appeal: within 15 days of service (article 490 CPC).
- Preferred uses: removal of unlawful content, cessation of acts of unfair competition, provision on a non-seriously-contestable claim, conservatory measure.
Proceedings on the merits: deciding the right definitively.
Proceedings on the merits aim to obtain a final decision on the right at stake, vested with res judicata authority. They are required where the contestation is serious or the measure sought exceeds the interim judge's powers.
- Legal basis: ordinary rules of civil or commercial jurisdiction, depending on the nature of the dispute.
- Duration: at first instance, generally 12 to 24 months before the Tribunal judiciaire, faster before the Tribunal des activités économiques, longer where a judicial expertise is ordered (articles 232 et seq. CPC).
- Effect: decision vested with res judicata authority (article 1355 of the Civil Code), enforceable as of right at first instance since Decree n° 2019-1333 of 11 December 2019.
- Appeal: one-month appeal period in contentious matters (article 538 CPC), then a two-month cassation period (article 612 CPC).
- Limitation period to anticipate: 5 years under the ordinary regime for personal or movable actions (article 2224 of the Civil Code), with shorter special periods for press matters (3 months, Press Act of 29 July 1881) or certain contractual liability regimes.
The four pillars of litigation.
From analysis to enforcement, each case at INFLUXIO follows a proven method built on four inseparable pillars.
01. Strategy.
Case analysis, opportunity to act, choice of court and cost-benefit calculation.
02. Evidence.
Building the file, bailiff report, expertise and pre-trial investigative measure (in futurum).
03. Procedure.
Interim proceedings, proceedings on the merits, written submissions, pleading and appeals (appel, cassation).
04. Enforcement.
Penalty payment, enforcement measures and effective recovery of what has been obtained.
Emerging issues in litigation.
Digital evidence has become central: to be admissible, a screenshot of a page or online content must be the subject of a report meeting precise technical requirements, failing which its probative force can be disregarded.
Identification of anonymous authors of unlawful content relies on the petition under article 145 of the French Code of Civil Procedure, complemented by data retention obligations of technical intermediaries.
Economic justice has also been reformed: since 1 January 2025, on an experimental basis until 31 December 2028, the Paris Commercial Court has become the Tribunal des activités économiques (TAE) and concentrates almost all amicable and collective procedures (Law n° 2023-1059 of 20 November 2023). Finally, artificial intelligence is entering case preparation, without ever relieving the lawyer of control and responsibility.
At INFLUXIO, every dispute begins with an audit of the opportunity to act and the available evidence. We assess your chances, quantify the risk and build a tailored strategy. Our presence in Paris and Brussels allows us to act before French courts and in cross-border disputes alike.
Why entrust your litigation to INFLUXIO.
Choosing a litigation firm means balancing speed, depth of analysis and enforcement capacity. Three markers distinguish INFLUXIO's approach.
A dual Paris-Brussels footprint.
We plead before the Paris courts and handle Belgian and cross-border proceedings, allowing us to anticipate, from the opening of the file, questions of jurisdiction, applicable law and enforcement of decisions within the European Union (Brussels I bis Regulation n° 1215/2012).
A method built on four pillars: strategy, evidence, procedure, enforcement.
Every file is handled with the same discipline: opportunity audit, securing the evidence, reasoned choice of the procedural avenue, then effective enforcement. No action is launched without a cost-benefit ratio quantified in advance.
A reply within 24 hours and a transparent fee agreement.
Every request receives an initial review within 24 business hours. Financial terms (flat fee, hourly billing, complementary success fee) are set out in writing in a fee agreement signed before any intervention, in accordance with article 10 of Law n° 71-1130 of 31 December 1971.
Useful litigation glossary.
- Formal notice (mise en demeure)
- formal summons addressed to the debtor to perform (article 1344 of the French Civil Code), triggering moratory interest for monetary obligations (article 1231-6 of the French Civil Code) and frequently serving as a precondition to any contentious action.
- Référé (interim proceedings)
- fast-track procedure allowing a provisional measure to be obtained quickly (cessation of a manifestly unlawful disturbance, provision, conservatory measure) before the judgment on the merits, under article 835 of the French Code of Civil Procedure.
- Proceedings on the merits
- ordinary procedure before the competent court aiming at a final decision on the right at stake, as opposed to référé which decides only provisionally.
- Pre-trial investigative measure (in futurum)
- measure ordered by the judge under article 145 of the French Code of Civil Procedure, before any trial, to preserve or establish evidence of facts on which the outcome of a dispute may depend.
- Saisie-contrefaçon (infringement seizure)
- evidentiary measure specific to intellectual property, authorised by order of the President of the Tribunal judiciaire, allowing material recording of the alleged infringing acts (articles L. 332-1 of the French IP Code for copyright, L. 521-4 for designs and models, L. 615-5 for patents and L. 716-4-7 for trademarks).
- Judicial expertise
- investigative measure by which the judge entrusts an independent technical expert with shedding light on a question of fact exceeding the judge's own knowledge (articles 232 et seq. of the French Code of Civil Procedure).
- Astreinte (penalty payment)
- ancillary condemnation to pay a sum per day of delay, intended to compel a party to enforce quickly the measure ordered by the judge (articles L. 131-1 et seq. of the French Code of Civil Enforcement Procedures).
- Enforcement measures
- set of procedures (attachment of receivables, sale by judicial auction, real-estate seizure) allowing forced enforcement of a court decision or of an enforceable title.
- Article 700 CPC
- provision enabling the judge to order the losing party to reimburse part of the irrecoverable costs (including lawyers' fees) borne by the winning party.
- Enforceable title
- instrument (judgment, order, notarial deed, homologated settlement) enabling recourse to the forced enforcement measures listed at article L. 111-3 of the French Code of Civil Enforcement Procedures.
- Settlement protocol
- contract by which the parties end a dispute already born or prevent a dispute to come through reciprocal concessions (article 2044 of the French Civil Code); once homologated, it acquires enforceability.
- Tribunal des activités économiques (TAE)
- new jurisdiction created by Law n° 2023-1059 of 20 November 2023, on an experimental basis at the Paris Commercial Court from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2028, concentrating almost all amicable and collective procedures.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
As soon as a dispute is born or becomes seriously likely: formal notice received or sent, summons, infringement of your rights, persistent unpaid invoice, unlawful online content. Speed is often decisive, as some deadlines are short and evidence must be secured before it disappears. Consulting early also allows the best strategy to be chosen, including an amicable outcome.
The lawyer assesses the opportunity to act, builds the evidence, chooses the appropriate procedure, drafts the submissions, pleads at the hearing and enforces the decision. The litigator represents you in claim and defence and, where applicable, negotiates a settlement. The role is as much strategic as technical: obtaining the best result at the best cost.
Référé is an emergency procedure allowing a provisional measure to be obtained quickly before judgment on the merits. Under article 835 of the French Code of Civil Procedure, the judge can stop a manifestly unlawful disturbance, prevent imminent damage or grant a provision when the obligation is not seriously contestable.
It is the preferred tool to have unlawful content removed or to stop an attack without delay.
Fees depend on the complexity and duration of the procedure. We practice flat fees, time-based billing and, where relevant, a success fee on top of a base fee. Everything is set out in a transparent fee agreement signed before the engagement begins. Furthermore, part of your costs may be charged to the opponent under article 700 of the French Code of Civil Procedure if you win.
Gather everything that establishes the facts and your rights: contracts and general conditions, invoices and evidence of loss, written exchanges (letters, emails, messages), formal notices, bailiff reports, dated screenshots, and, where applicable, the summons or decision already issued. A complete file allows your chances to be precisely assessed from the first meeting.
No. Many disputes are settled by negotiation, mediation or a settlement protocol, often faster, less expensive and more discreet than a judgment. We systematically explore the amicable route when it serves your interests, while preparing the litigation in order to negotiate from a position of strength and seise the judge without delay if the agreement fails.
The first step is to freeze the evidence with a bailiff report, as content can be deleted at any time. We then most often launch interim proceedings to obtain removal under penalty payment and, if the author is anonymous, a petition under article 145 of the French Code of Civil Procedure to identify them with the technical intermediaries.
A criminal complaint can complete the arrangement depending on the nature of the attack.
It varies greatly depending on the avenue chosen. Interim proceedings can conclude in a few weeks, sometimes a few days in cases of extreme urgency. Proceedings on the merits are generally counted in months, or even years in case of appeal. This is also why the amicable route, when possible, always deserves examination. We give you a realistic estimate as soon as the file is analysed.
In part. The winning party can request that the opponent be condemned to pay a sum under article 700 of the French Code of Civil Procedure, intended to cover costs not included in the dépens, including lawyers' fees. The amount is set by the judge and does not always cover the full costs actually incurred, but significantly reduces the burden.
Yes. INFLUXIO handles litigation for startups, SaaS publishers and new-technology players: cloud disputes, AI disagreements, shareholder disputes before or after funding, cybersecurity and Web3 litigation.
We bring technical evidence before the judge and secure conservatory measures adapted to the pace of the sector.
Yes, and it is a historical focus of the firm. We represent influencers, content creators in disputes over contracts, remuneration, content seizure and e-reputation attacks, before civil and commercial courts.
Yes. Our practice in music law, audiovisual law and artists' rights takes disputes over royalties, publishing, phonographic production, artist contracts and sample infringement before the Tribunal judiciaire and arbitral bodies.
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INFLUXIO is a law firm specialized in litigation, based in Paris and Brussels. Interim proceedings, infringement, commercial disputes, e-reputation, enforcement. Reply within 24h. More than 800 clients have already trusted INFLUXIO.
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