Business Law

Distribution Law

The profound digital transformation of the economy favours the growth of online business, the development of technologies and distribution methods. In this evolving environment, actors of the distribution sector need to adapt their commercial strategies and their organizations.

Distribution law is constantly evolving and is both a constraint and a tool for companies in the distribution sector.

JP Karsenty assists economic players in structuring and monitoring the operation of their distribution networks, as well as in all aspects of their business relationships. 

JP Karsenty's team regularly assists its clients in proceedings involving suppliers, franchisors, and distributors. We also act in matters of restrictive competition practices, in particular significant imbalance and sudden termination of established business relationships.

The firm has also an extensive expertise in the drafting of distribution and commercial agency agreements and assists its clients in litigation relating to the breach of such agreements. 

JP Karsenty's Distribution Law team is mainly headed by Jean-Philippe Arroyo. Jean-Philippe Arroyo is a member of the Executive Committee of the “Association Française d’Etude de la Concurrence » (A.F.E.C.) and of the International Distribution Institute (I.D.I.). The firm is a member of the International Ligue of Competition Law (LIDC). 

Jean-Philippe Arroyo is also co-author of the book "Lamy Droit Economique" published in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

The firm's Distribution Law team is recognized in numerous rankings for its expertise.

Ranking Décideurs magazine 2022 :

Distribution law – Excellent

Legal works in this area

  • Drafting of distribution agreements, setting up and monitoring of distribution networks operations (exclusive distribution, selective distribution, franchising, commercial agency, commissioning, etc.)
  • Advice and assistance in annual negotiations, drafting and compliance (invoices, CGA, GTC, single agreement, etc.)
  • Distribution and commercial agreement litigation (breach of contract, resale outside the network, etc.)
  • Litigation on restrictive practices, in particular in the context of actions launched by the Minister for the Economy (sudden termination, significant imbalance etc.)
  • Litigation on the termination of commercial agency contracts (termination indemnity, serious misconduct of the agent etc.)
  • Advice and assistance in the context of DGCCRF investigations concerning anti-competitive practices, and unfair trade practices
  • Implementation of legal compliance audits (anti-competitive practices, unfair trade practices, abusive clauses, tariff transparency, etc.)

Track records

  • Representation of a major U.S. tech company in a dispute relating to unfair trade practices initiated by the French Minister for the Economy
  • Representation of a subsidiary of a major French industrial group in a dispute relating to a sudden breach of established commercial relations
  • Advising a car importer in the organisation of its selective distribution network
  • Advising an intermediary in the wine industry with regard to supply and commercial agency contracts
  • Advising an Italian luxury fashion company regarding its franchise network
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