Author: Elizabeth Ortega

Stéphane Bonifassi spoke candidly with “Parlons Vrai chez Bourdin” on Sud Radio about justice in France.

Who’s Who Legal Asset Recovery recognized Elena Fedorova as “one to watch out for in the market,” and Stéphane Bonifassi as “a market-leading lawyer, among the finest asset recovery specialists.”

Stéphane Bonifassi illuminates the French justice precedent of protecting its citizens against extradition and suspects Canada will not succeed in bringing accused priest Johannes Rivoire to trial for charges of assault.

Stéphane Bonifassi urges the French court system to look to the example of European neighbors and consider a better plan for due process: rethink how justice is served, reduce the number of cases that go to trial, and improve efficiency in conducting these trials.

We are so thankful for clients and partners whose commitment gives us opportunities to handle complex litigation while raising families, in the knowledge that our Bonifassi Avocats careers continue to grow.

On behalf of their client, creditor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Marie Poirot and Stéphane Bonifassi question the compatibility of article L.153-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code, which requires prior authorization from the enforcement judge to seize the assets of a foreign central bank, an authorization that is subject to the demonstration that the seized funds are used for an activity governed by private law. Recently, the European Court of Humanitarian Rights (ECHR) has communicated the client’s request to the French Government, accompanied by three questions:

1. In view of the principle of immunity from execution, has the applicant suffered a disproportionate limitation of its right to the effective enforcement of judicial decisions, guaranteed by article 6 § 1 of the Convention?

2. In particular, does the application of the principle of immunity from enforcement in the present case correspond to the generally accepted rules of international law on State immunity at the time of the facts of the case?

3. Could the refusal of the Court of Cassation to pass on the priority question of constitutionality have had consequences for the overall fairness of the trial?

Access the full press release from the ECHR.

Stéphane Bonifassi was selected for the 13th edition of Best Lawyers in France. He was chosen by peers for his work in criminal defense and litigation.

During ICC France’s first Masterclass in France, “The enforcement of arbitral awards against States,” Stéphane Bonifassi and Marie Poirot were pleased to share with the attending delegates that in 2017 Bonifassi secured an unprecedented decision from the Paris administrative court, which annulled the French Treasury’s irrational refusal to authorize the unfreezing of assets attached by creditors of sanctioned entities.

Stéphane Bonifassi and Sinem Paksüt are pleased to once again contribute the French perspective in Global Legal Group’s Anti-Money Laundering 2022 chapter.

Stéphane Bonifassi and Victoire Chatelin co-authored Global Legal Group’s corporate investigations 2022 French chapter.