Your company is British. Your contract, your goods, your debtor or your dispute is in France. Since Brexit, the rules that link a UK business to the French courts have changed; this page sets out the main points, with links to the detailed analyses published on this site.
Enforcing an English judgment in France after Brexit
The Brussels I bis Regulation no longer applies to judgments given in proceedings brought after the end of the transition period. The Hague Convention of 2 July 2019 on the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments entered into force for the European Union on 1 September 2023 and for the United Kingdom on 1 July 2025: it covers English judgments given in proceedings begun since that date, subject to its exclusions. For the other cases, exequatur proceedings under French law apply. Details: enforcing a US or English judgment in France and English maritime judgments after Brexit.
London arbitration awards
An award made in London is enforced in France under the New York Convention, through an exequatur order from the Paris judicial court. See enforcing a London maritime award in France and international arbitration. To budget an LCIA arbitration: LCIA, HKIAC and ICDR cost estimator.
Selling into France from the UK
Goods shipped from Great Britain now enter the EU as imports: customs declarations, origin under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, customs value and, where relevant, sanctions screening. See customs and challenging a customs reassessment.
Unpaid invoices and disputes with a French partner
Which court has jurisdiction, which law applies, and how to secure the claim before the French party acts: international commercial litigation. Setting up in France: foreign companies in France.
For dual-use items and export controls between France and the UK, see our analysis of dual-use exports after Brexit.
A matter in France for your company? Describe the contract, the amounts at stake and where things stand with the French party.
Reply within 24 business hours. Before any work starts, you receive a written fee agreement with an estimate of the budget. The work is carried out in writing and in English.
Matters in this field are handled by Hervé Guyader, avocat at the Paris Bar and Doctor of Law. Page updated on 8 November 2026.