Aix-en-Provence office
Business lawyer in Aix-en-Provence
Arst Avocats has a law office in Aix-en-Provence. It assists business leaders and companies in the Bouches-du-Rhône region with their commercial disputes, unpaid invoices, and financial difficulties. The office is headed by Audrey Marie, a partner at the Aix-en-Provence Bar. We provide advice, negotiate, and then litigate when the dispute requires it.
Why consult a lawyer based in Aix-en-Provence?
Before the hearing, not after
A business dispute often unfolds before the hearing. It is determined by the documents gathered, the exchanges kept, and the adherence to the schedule.
Our conviction can be summed up in one line: the first meeting is most useful when it takes place before the summons, not after. This initial meeting allows us to review the contract, invoices, and correspondence, and then to establish the next steps.
The jurisdictions around Aix-en-Provence
The jurisdiction of the Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal includes, in particular, a commercial court, located at 38 Cours Mirabeau, and a judicial court in Aix-en-Provence. The location of the trial depends primarily on the nature of the dispute and the address of the opposing party. We determine this at the initial consultation.
A nearby jurisdiction does not replace strategy: a poorly prepared case remains fragile, wherever it is argued.
For a company in Marseille
For a company based in Marseille, the competent court is the Marseille Economic Activities Court, not the Aix-en-Provence Commercial Court. This has been in place since January 1,2025 , as part of a four-year trial period (source: Infogreffe).
Its jurisdiction corresponds to that of the Marseille Judicial Court. It assumes the powers of the Commercial Court, extended to amicable and insolvency proceedings. Commercial leases generally remain under the jurisdiction of the Judicial Court, unless there is a sufficient link to insolvency proceedings.
In what situations should you consult us?
The most common situations
Here are the typical situations in which a manager contacts us:
- A client has stopped paying their invoices and your reminders remain unanswered;
- your landlord is threatening to terminate your commercial lease, or your tenant is ceasing to pay rent;
- a supplier or a bank is suing you when your cash flow is tight;
- You are wondering if your company is already insolvent.
A summons has already arrived
Has a creditor already summoned you? Write to us before the hearing date.
The hearing date sets the schedule. The earlier we know it, the more time there is to examine the claim and prepare a defense or a negotiation.
A contract to review before litigation
Some managers come before any incident. The office also advises on the drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts: services, supplies, subcontracting, general terms and conditions of sale, protocols and transactions.
A well-written clause often prevents disputes. It sets out payment deadlines, notice periods, and the consequences of a breach.
How to choose between negotiating, acting quickly, or pleading?
Three ways to address an unpaid bill
When faced with an unpaid invoice, we compare three options: a formal demand followed by negotiation, an expedited payment procedure, and legal action. The choice depends on the strength of the debt, the debtor's solvency, and the time available to you.
- The formal notice sets a clear deadline. It may lead to a payment schedule or a settlement agreement.
- The fast-track procedure, such as the order to pay or the interim provisional order, targets a debt whose existence is not seriously disputed.
- A lawsuit on the merits, by way of summons, is appropriate when the debt is disputed. The judge then examines the arguments of each party.
When the debtor is in insolvency proceedings
This approach has its limits. If your debtor is placed under judicial reorganization, creditors who had not yet taken action can no longer initiate legal proceedings. They must then file their claims with the court-appointed administrator. The deadline is two months from the publication of the opening judgment in the BODACC (see theservice-public.fr fact sheet on judicial reorganization).
This period is extended to 4 months for a creditor located outside mainland France. In the case of judicial liquidation, the declaration is made to the court-appointed liquidator. Their name appears in the publication of the judgment (seethe service-public.fr information sheet on filing claims).
A creditor whose claim is time-barred can request a waiver of the forfeiture from the supervising judge within six months of publication in the BODACC (Official Bulletin of Civil and Commercial Announcements). It's best to be aware of this before initiating proceedings. Details can be found on our debt collection and payment order.
How does a case proceed at the Aix-en-Provence office?
Analyze the facts and the evidence
The firm begins by assessing the facts, the evidence, and the applicable rules. It also examines the risks and the feasibility of enforcing a judgment. A debt won in court is useless if the debtor cannot pay.
Choose a strategy
The strategy takes into account cost, time, evidence preservation, the opponent's solvency, and the impact on your business. It is discussed with you before any action is taken. We involve you in the decision-making process.
Negotiate first
The firm favors a negotiated solution. This involves a formal notice, seeking an agreement, or a settlement protocol. It can preserve the business relationship.
Go to court if necessary
In the absence of an agreement, the firm represents the client before the courts, both as plaintiff and defendant. It can act urgently, through summary proceedings or applications, when time is of the essence or when evidence is at risk of disappearing.
Monitor the execution
The work does not end with the judgment. The firm monitors the execution of the decision and, if necessary, the appeals process before the Court of Appeal.
What topics does the Aix-en-Provence office deal with?
Four areas of intervention
- Business litigation : contractual disputes, unpaid debts, summary proceedings and appeals.
- Companies in difficulty : negotiation with creditors, judicial reorganization and collective procedures.
- Debt collection formal notice, order to pay, enforcement.
- Commercial leases unpaid rent, termination clause, lease and insolvency proceedings.
What the lawyer at the office actually does
Audrey Marie represents her clients before civil and commercial courts, at both the trial and appellate levels. She handles disputes between companies, associates or partners: breach of contract, termination of business relationships, unpaid debts, conflicts between partners and transfers of ownership.
She also requests, when the situation warrants, protective measures and court-ordered expert assessments. For commercial leases, she advises landlords and tenants on negotiation, rent, renewal, eviction compensation, termination, and eviction proceedings.
Finally, it intervenes in collective procedures, particularly regarding the fate of commercial leases, and practices amicable and judicial debt recovery.
Where to find us and how to contact us
The office address
Arst Avocats Aix-en-Provence235 rue Louis de Broglie
13290 Aix-en-Provence
Phone : 01 44 56 04 36
View the office on Google Maps
How to make an appointment
There are two ways to contact us: the contact form or by phone at 01 44 56 04 36. The number is the same for all four offices of the firm.
Describe your situation in a few lines and, if possible, include the date of a hearing or deadline. The firm will contact you and offer an appointment in Aix-en-Provence. All communications with a lawyer are protected by professional confidentiality.
Your lawyer in Aix-en-Provence
Audrey Marie, partner lawyer
Audrey Marie, Partner Attorney, Head of the Aix-en-Provence office
His career
Audrey Marie supports companies, managers and real estate players in the South East, from the management of a dispute to its resolution, amicably or judicially.
She began her career at the Paris Bar, then joined Arst Avocats in 2018. She holds a Master II in European Union economic law, obtained at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.
Frequently asked questions about the Aix-en-Provence office
Where is Arst's office located in Aix-en-Provence?
The office is located at 235 rue Louis de Broglie, 13290 Aix-en-Provence. The firm has a single telephone number, 01 44 56 04 36, and an online contact form. We recommend briefly describing your situation before your appointment so that the lawyer can prepare initial steps and advise you on the necessary documents to bring.
What types of business disputes does the office handle?
The firm primarily handles business litigation: unpaid invoices and debt collection, contractual disputes, commercial leases, and companies in difficulty. It also provides upstream advice to secure contracts or negotiate before going to court. An initial analysis will determine if the firm is the right partner for your case.
My company is in Marseille, can I consult with you?
Yes. The office assists businesses in Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, and the Bouches-du-Rhône region. For a Marseille-based company, the competent court is the Marseille Economic Activities Court, not the Aix-en-Provence Commercial Court. Proximity facilitates appointments and hearing preparation. However, it is not a requirement: the choice is primarily based on the nature of your case.
My company can no longer pay, what should I do first?
Take stock of your cash flow and outstanding debts, then consult a lawyer without delay. If the company is insolvent, the manager must file for insolvency proceedings within 45 days.
He chooses receivership or, if the situation is irretrievably compromised, liquidation (source: service-public.fr). Conciliation remains possible if the cessation of activity is less than 45 days old. Reorganization cannot be requested during ongoing conciliation proceedings. We verify this point first.
What is the difference between receivership and judicial liquidation?
Reorganization proceedings are initiated when a recovery plan appears feasible. Liquidation proceedings are chosen when the situation is irretrievably compromised. The company director proposes either option in their declaration of insolvency, but the court decides which procedure to initiate (source: service-public.fr). A lawyer analyzes your accounts before this decision is made.
What should I bring to the first date?
Bring the relevant contract, invoices, formal notices, and correspondence. Include your latest bank statements or a cash flow statement. If you have received a summons or order, bring it first, as the hearing date or deadline determines the urgency of the case.
Content prepared by the Aix-en-Provence office of Arst Avocats. Lead lawyer: Audrey Marie, partner, Aix-en-Provence Bar. Information verified on the firm's website, on service-public.fr, and on the website of the Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal. Updated October 2026.