A legal notice, also known as a judicial announcement, is a mandatory publication that provides official publicity to a company's key legal details in authorized journals. As experts in French business law with years guiding entrepreneurs, we'll cover when it's required, publication steps, and costs.
Dating back to the 16th century under Henry II and mandated by Decree No. 55-22 of January 4, 1955, legal notices are essential for companies of all sizes—from EURLs and sole proprietorships to large SAs. They also apply to individuals for matters like changes in marital status or surname.
Publication is obligatory upon company creation after adopting statutes, for forms including:
Additional triggers include:
Notices must include statutory details such as:
The company manager handles publication.
Companies must use newspapers authorized by annual prefectural decrees (with amendments as needed, published weekly max). Legal notices are non-commercial—no logos, fixed fonts—so no graphic designer is required.
Priced per line by ministerial decree per department, with no discounts except 70% for legal aid recipients and 50% in collective proceedings. Average cost: €120.
