French international desk

What sets Weightmans apart

Weightmans is recognised for its exceptional expertise, innovative approach and client‑centred service across a wide range of legal disciplines. Clients benefit from:

• A cohesive and highly experienced cross‑border team with wide-ranging technical expertise and access to a global network where required.
• Clear, responsive, and meticulous advice delivered with strong attention to detail.
• Leadership acknowledged in major legal directories such as Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.

Our cross-border offering is strengthened by specialists across commercial, private client, corporate, regulatory, litigation, real estate, and employment teams—ensuring seamless collaboration for clients with French or dual‑jurisdiction needs.

Our cross-border UK/French services

We support clients across all legal areas where UK and French legal systems intersect:

Aviation and transport

Our award-winning aviation and transport lawyers offer a one-stop shop for clients based in the UK and France and are highly experienced in advising on a very broad range of aviation matters such as:

• Regulatory matters and commercial disputes;
• Product liability claims;
• Subrogation recovery;
• General aviation, airline, airport, engineering and manufacturing issues.

Business, corporate & commercial support

• Supporting French companies establishing in the UK.
• Corporate structuring, commercial contracts, and ongoing governance.
• Support for entrepreneurs and owner‑managed businesses operating cross‑border.

Cross-border litigation/dispute resolution for insurers, corporate entities & individuals

• Litigation and arbitration relating to cross‑border commercial, civil, insurance or private disputes.
• Jurisdiction and conflict-of-laws issues
• Enforcement of UK/European judgments.

Family law & matrimonial issues

• Divorce, financial arrangements, and child matters involving UK-French dynamics.
• Advice on matrimonial property regimes and international family governance.

Immigration, employment & regulatory matters

• Immigration and mobility advice for French nationals in the UK and vice versa.
• Employment law matters spanning English and French considerations.
• Regulatory, compliance, and dispute‑resolution services for businesses and individuals.

Insurance and reinsurance

We have a proven track record of advising on complex high value insurance and reinsurance claims and disputes and we are well versed in arbitrations, mediations and court proceedings at all levels. We have been involved with large losses and catastrophes around the world, including France.

We regularly support UK and international insurers and reinsurers on French‑related matters involving:

• Underlying losses in French jurisdictions;
• Reinsurance placements spanning multiple markets;
• Coordination with foreign counsel, brokers, and experts;
• Conflicts of law and jurisdictional challenges.

Private client, wills & succession

• Cross‑border succession and estate planning.
• Wills and inheritance advice aligned between UK and French law.
• Tax analysis, tax advice on residency and exposure to UK tax for those with a French connection
• Multi‑jurisdictional estate administration.

Property & real estate (UK and France)

• Buying, selling, and structuring property ownership.
• Navigating UK real estate tax considerations for French residents.
• Coordinating cross-border property transactions.

Why clients choose Weightmans

• Breadth of expertise across all legal disciplines relevant to UK/French clients.
• Internationally experienced, bilingual lawyers familiar with both legal systems and cultural expectations.
• Highly personalised service, delivered with precision and a practical, solution‑focused approach.