DGCCRF inspections
Assistance during inspection operations (on-site visits, document requests), support at hearings, management of communication with the agents.
→ Contracts · Sub-expertise
An inspection by the DGCCRF (Direction générale de la concurrence, de la consommation et de la répression des fraudes — French consumer protection & competition authority) or by the Competition Authority can lead to heavy administrative and criminal sanctions. We assist companies throughout the procedure, in responding to observations and in defence before the courts, in order to limit the consequences.
→ What we cover
Assistance during inspection operations (on-site visits, document requests), support at hearings, management of communication with the agents.
Drafting responses to observations and official reports, contesting the classifications retained, negotiating the follow-up to the inspection.
Defence against financial penalties, cessation injunctions, publicity measures. Administrative and contentious appeals against the decisions.
Criminal defence in the event of prosecution for restrictive competition practices or unfair commercial practices subject to criminal sanctions.
Defence before the Competition Authority: cartels, abuse of a dominant position, vertical practices. Leniency and settlement procedures.
Compliance audit to anticipate inspections: review of commercial practices, supplier relationships, GTC, distribution agreements.
→ Our approach
01
Immediate mobilisation as soon as the inspection is notified, support during operations, management of seizures and hearings, securing of communications.
02
Analysis of the grievances notified, drafting of responses to the observations, negotiation with the administration, management of the follow-up to the inspection.
03
Defence against the sanctions contemplated: contesting the materiality, contesting the classifications, request for undertakings, negotiation of a settlement.
04
Appeals before the administrative court (DGCCRF sanctions) or the Paris Court of Appeal (Competition Authority), monitoring of appeals to the Court of Cassation.
→ Who we help
Assisting a large group in a DGCCRF inspection on supplier payment periods: analysis of the disputed invoices, defence of the justifications, negotiation of the sanction.
Responding to an inspection targeting commercial practices (GTC, single agreements, invoicing), with the drafting of a defence brief and negotiation of a reduced sanction.
Defending a company implicated in cartel proceedings: analysis of the grievances, drafting of briefs, pleading at the hearing, articulation with a leniency procedure.
Post-acquisition compliance audit to align the target's practices with the group's standards, identify risk areas and prepare a compliance plan.
→ Q&A
Verify the identity and authorisation of the agents, request a copy of the mission order, contact your lawyer immediately, facilitate the inspection without providing information exceeding the scope, secure the documents not concerned. A structured response limits the risks.
Financial penalties (administrative or criminal) that may reach high amounts (calculated on turnover for certain practices), cessation injunctions, publicity measures, additional penalties (prohibitions). The amounts vary greatly depending on the practice and its seriousness.
Yes, in certain cases: the settlement allows a reduced sanction in consideration for acknowledging the facts and undertaking to comply. Before the Competition Authority, specific procedures (settlement, commitments) also make it possible to avoid a full procedure.
Regular compliance audit, training of teams, updating of GTC and agreements, steering of payment periods, compliance of distribution agreements, compliance programme. A structured approach significantly reduces the risk and facilitates the defence in the event of an inspection.
→ Go further
Let's talk. We respond within one business day to qualify your transaction and direct you to the firm's most suitable lawyer.
Get in touch→