Debt Collection Agency in France - No Win, No Fee

Here's exactly how debt recovery works in France: from registering your claim to receiving payment. Most cases resolve during amicable collection (recouvrement amiable), but if needed, Cabinet d'Ormane can escalate through court orders and enforcement on your behalf.

Step 1. Starting Your Claim (Depot de creance) 📤

To collect a debt in France, you must register your claim with a licensed debt collection agency (societe de recouvrement). Once you provide your invoice and debtor details, Cabinet d'Ormane contacts your debtor in French within 24 hours - beginning the formal recovery process.

• Required documentation: Invoice copies, debtor contact details, contract or purchase order, and any prior correspondence.
• Multiple submission options: Online dashboard, REST API, or ERP integrations (Sage, Cegid, SAP Business One, Quadratus).
• Regulatory compliance: Under French law, only licensed agencies may conduct debt collection - Cabinet d'Ormane holds full authorization under the Procureur de la Republique de Paris.
• Secure data handling: All submissions are SSL-encrypted and GDPR-compliant, with 24/7 portal access.

📊 95% of claims submitted before noon are actioned the same business day (Debitura platform data).

⏳ Duration: Immediate submission, case activation within 24 hours.

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Upload Your Claim Now →

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Step 2. Amicable Collection (Recouvrement amiable) 🤝

Most debt collection cases in France are resolved during amicable collection (recouvrement amiable), without court involvement. Cabinet d'Ormane applies professional pressure through formal demands and negotiation - recovering your funds while preserving your business relationship with the debtor.

• Formal demand letter: A mise en demeure is sent by registered mail, triggering legal interest on the debt under Article 1231-6 of the Civil Code.
• Multi-channel follow-up: Phone calls, SMS, and email reminders escalate pressure systematically over 15-60 days.
• Consumer protection compliance: All actions follow Article L.121-21 of the Consumer Code - no contact before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., clear agency identification on every communication.
• Proven expertise: Cabinet d'Ormane handled 46,000+ cases in 2025, with a dedicated France-based team and 65+ years of industry experience.

📊 60-70% of French commercial debts are recovered during amicable collection when handled by a licensed agency (FIGEC industry benchmark).

⏳ Duration: Typically 15-60 days, depending on debtor responsiveness.

Step 3. Legal Escalation (Injonction de Payer) ⚖️

If amicable debt collection in France fails, you can pursue a court order through the injonction de payer procedure. This is entirely optional - you control the decision and approve fixed-price quotes before any legal spend. Cabinet d'Ormane handles the entire court process on your behalf.

• Court selection: Applications are filed with the Tribunal de Commerce (commercial debts) or Tribunal Judiciaire (civil debts) depending on your case.
• Streamlined process: Under the 2021 civil procedure reform, uncontested payment orders become enforceable automatically - no hearing required.
• Legal framework: The procedure is governed by Articles 1405-1425 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Debtors have 1 month to oppose after service by Commissaire de Justice.
• Transparent costs: No court filing fee for injonction de payer. Attorney fees (if needed) are quoted upfront with no hidden charges.

📊 85% of payment order applications in France are granted without opposition (French Ministry of Justice statistics).

⏳ Duration: Uncontested orders: 2-3 months. Contested litigation: 6-18 months.

Step 4. Enforcement & Recovery (Execution forcee) 🏦

Once you have an enforceable court order in France, Cabinet d'Ormane coordinates enforcement through licensed Commissaires de Justice (formerly huissiers). This is how you actually get your money - through legally-mandated seizure of the debtor's assets.

• Bank account seizure (saisie-attribution): The fastest method - funds are frozen immediately upon service and transferred within 15 days.
• Wage garnishment (saisie des remunerations): For employed debtors, a portion of salary is redirected monthly until the debt is cleared.
• Legal authority: Enforcement is governed by the Code des procedures civiles d'execution (CPCE). Commissaires de Justice have full legal authority to seize assets.
• Nationwide network: Cabinet d'Ormane works with Commissaires de Justice across all French departments, ensuring enforcement wherever your debtor is located.

📊 Bank seizures in France are completed within 2-4 weeks of initiating enforcement (Cabinet d'Ormane case data, 2025).

⏳ Duration: Bank seizures: 2-4 weeks. Wage garnishment: ongoing until debt cleared. Property seizure: 2-6 months.

Relationship-Preserving Collection Approach

Concerned about damaging a valuable business relationship? Cabinet d'Ormane offers graduated collection approaches - starting with courtesy reminders before escalating to formal demands. Their professional, respectful communication style resolves many cases with a single contact, preserving your ongoing business. Flexible payment plans are offered to cooperative debtors, and all communications comply with French ethical standards for debt collection.