Public law

Public law

Public law governs relations between individuals, businesses and the public administration. It also governs the standards applicable to public institutions and services. When faced with contentious administrative decisions or disputes involving the State and public authorities, administrative litigation is an essential lever for guaranteeing respect for fundamental rights and the principles of the rule of law.

In-depth expertise in public law and administrative litigation enables us to intervene in appeals against administrative decisions and disputes involving national and European administrations.

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Key litigation for rights protection

Public law and administrative litigation cover a wide range of fields, including the following:

  • Administrative litigation: appeals against decisions by public authorities, protection of citizens' and companies' rights, liability of the State and local authorities.
  • Asylum litigation (CNDA): assisting asylum seekers in their appeals against decisions by the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA), challenging refusals of protection and defending the fundamental rights of exiles.
  • Foreign nationals and nationality law: litigation concerning residence permits, appeals against obligations to leave French territory (OQTF), naturalization and family reunification.
  • Public business law: economic regulation, public procurement, administrative contract litigation, control of state aid and compliance with competition principles.
  • Disciplinary litigation and administrative liability: defense of public employees, liability claims against the administration and public establishments.
  • Fundamental rights and public freedoms: challenging infringements of freedoms by administrative authorities, appeals for interim relief (référé-liberté), defending against administrative police measures.
  • Application of European Union law in public law: invocation of European standards before administrative courts, possibility of preliminary rulings before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

A rigorous approach

Administrative and asylum litigation are governed by specific rules and require a thorough understanding of public law and litigation procedures. The approach is based on :

Analysis of contested administrative decisions and identification of appropriate remedies

A legal argument based on applicablenational and European standards.

Proceedings before administrative courts (administrative tribunals, administrative courts of appeal, Constitutional Council) and international courts (European Court of Human Rights).

The invocation of European Union law and the mobilization of CJEU case law when disputes raise questions of interpretation of European law.

Strategic litigation

Public law disputes often go beyond the individual and can :

  • Challenge certain administrative practices and influence public policy.
  • Lead to the annulment of illegal administrative acts.
  • Contribute to the development of the law and the consolidation of fundamental guarantees.

Expertise for every situation

Each case requires a rigorous assessment of the legal stakes involved and the prospects of recourse. In-depth analysis enables us to identify the most appropriate strategies for guaranteeing the protection of rights in public law and administrative litigation.