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No hourly-rate uncertainty
See a clear indicative figure instead of an open-ended time estimate.
Fixed-fee pathwaysSt James’s · London
186 Private · French law in London
French law in London,
closer to home.
186 Private is the London-based website for UK and international clients seeking French-law support on business, property, immigration, tax and dispute matters.
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Central LondonMeet in St James’s by prior appointment
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French-law focusBusiness, visas, property, tax and disputes
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Evidence controlledNamed lawyers, primary sources and review dates
Fixed-fee approach
Your fee, before your first call.
Answer a few focused questions and receive an indicative fixed-fee proposal before deciding whether to speak with a lawyer.
No obligation to proceed. The final scope and fee are confirmed in writing after an initial legal review.
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Tailored to your situation
The tool uses your answers to identify the relevant scope and starting fee.
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Decide before contacting us
Proceed only if the proposed service and fee make sense for you.
Core services
French legal expertise, connected around your objective.
Our practice areas work together. A property purchase may involve a company, immigration, financing and tax; a business decision may require contracts, corporate structuring and dispute planning.
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Fixed-fee pathwayCorporate Law
French company formation, governance, investment and transactions
Explore the service02
Fixed-fee pathwayFrench Visas
French immigration support for talent, founders and international teams
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Fixed-fee pathwayReal Estate Law
French transactions, ownership structures and commercial leases
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Tax Law
French tax issues connected with business, investment and mobility
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Contract Law
French-law agreements drafted for real cross-border operations
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Litigation
Strategy for French proceedings, enforcement and settlement
Explore the serviceThe 186 briefing library
Answers for the decision before the form.
Use our source-backed guides to understand the route, evidence and connected French-law questions. Each guide names its author and legal reviewer and shows when its sources were last checked.
Browse every guideVisas and residence
Reviewed Sept 2026How to apply for a French visa from the UK
Start with the official France-Visas wizard, complete the online application, then book the appropriate UK submission appointment. The critical legal work comes before submission: selecting the correct route, presenting consistent evidence and coordinating any work, company, property or family issues.
Visas and residence
Reviewed Sept 2026France Long-Stay Visitor Visa for UK residents
A Long-Stay Visitor route may suit a person who wants to live in France without carrying out professional activity there. The application normally turns on the intended stay, adequate resources, health cover, accommodation and a credible undertaking not to work.
Visas and residence
Reviewed Sept 2026France Talent Passport: routes for professionals, founders and investors
The Talent Passport is a family of multi-year residence routes, not one universal visa. The correct category depends on the person’s role, qualifications, remuneration, employer or group relationship, business project or investment.
Visas and residence
Reviewed Sept 2026France entrepreneur and self-employed visa
The entrepreneur or profession-libérale route can support a genuine commercial, industrial, craft or liberal activity in France. The project must be credible, economically viable and compatible with the applicant’s experience and any professional regulation.
Moving to France
Reviewed Sept 2026Moving to France from the UK: a legal planning guide
A successful move is a sequence, not a single visa form. Immigration status affects when you can work or operate a business; property choices can affect tax and succession; family members may have different routes; and post-arrival steps carry their own deadlines.
Business
Reviewed Sept 2026How to set up a company in France from the UK
A UK founder or company can establish a French entity, but the correct sequence depends on who will own, manage and work in the business. Corporate formation does not by itself grant a founder the right to live or work in France.
How we work
A clear route through complex French matters.
We keep communication direct, scope the work carefully and explain the consequences of each decision before it is made.
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Understand
We review the objective, relevant parties, countries, timing and immediate risks before any substantive advice begins.
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Scope
After conflict checks, we identify the appropriate lawyer and confirm the proposed work, responsibilities and fee basis in writing.
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Act
We deliver the French-law workstream and coordinate with UK counsel, tax advisers and other specialists where the matter requires it.
Before we speak
Useful orientation. Never a substitute for advice.
Our online tools help you organise the first conversation. Results are indicative and always require review by a qualified lawyer.
Company structure
Which French company structure may fit your project?
Compare a limited set of project, ownership and governance factors before discussing an SCI, SARL or SAS with counsel.
Property occupation
Which French lease framework may be relevant?
Organise the essential facts around residential, professional, commercial or temporary occupation.
French immigration
Which French visa route may fit your plans?
Screen nationality, duration, family, work and mobility factors before requesting an individual eligibility review.
A personal practice
Direct access. International context. French legal precision.
Rather than publish unverified testimonials, we prefer to be clear about how we work: your enquiry is reviewed, the right lawyer is identified and the scope is agreed before substantive advice begins.
Bilingual communication
Clearly agreed scope
Cross-border coordination
Practical next steps
Central London appointments
Meet our French lawyers in St James’s.
39–40 St James's PlaceLondon SW1A 1NYUnited Kingdom
Clients can meet Pia de Saint Laurent, Alexandre Riou or Geoffroy Canivet at our shared Central London office by prior appointment.
Appointments are subject to lawyer availability, conflict checks and the nature of the matter. The office is not presented as a walk-in service.
Arrange a London appointmentStart a conversation
French law, explained in a business context.
Tell us briefly what you are trying to achieve. We will identify the appropriate person to review your enquiry and, where suitable, arrange a St James’s meeting by prior appointment.
St James’s · Central London