Sign a French lawyer-countersigned act online in 2 minutes
Private deed countersigned by lawyer (acte d'avocat) between private parties, signed electronically with their lawyer(s) countersignature. Compliant with article 1374 of the French Civil Code (created by Act no. 2011-331 of 28 March 2011) and the eIDAS regulation — reinforced probative force compared to a classic private deed, advanced signature recommended to trace the countersignature.
- Legal framework
- Art. 1374 Civil Code
- Signature level
- AES eIDAS recommended
- Legal retention
- 30 years (RIN)
What is a French lawyer-countersigned act?
The acte d'avocat — or private deed countersigned by lawyer — is a legal instrument created by Act no. 2011-331 of 28 March 2011, codified in article 1374 of the French Civil Code. It consists of a private deed between parties that is additionally countersigned by their lawyer (or a common lawyer). The countersignature has three effects: (1) attestation by the lawyer that they have fully informed the parties of the legal consequences of the act, (2) reinforced probative force — the deed proves the writing and signature of the parties without any denial being admissible (except for forgery proceedings), (3) waiver of the handwritten-mention requirement. It occupies an intermediate position between the classic private deed and the notarial deed.
Why sign the lawyer-countersigned act electronically?
Reinforced probative force preserved
Article 1374 of the Civil Code does not distinguish the form of the act: paper or electronic, the legal effect is identical. Advanced electronic signature (AES) captures the identity of the countersigning lawyer (SMS OTP verification on their professional number registered with the Bar), securing the countersignature in case of dispute.
Multi-signers (parties + lawyers)
A lawyer-countersigned act involves at least 3 signers (2 parties + 1 lawyer) and often more (each party may have their own lawyer = 4 signers). Our flow handles sequential or parallel signing, each signer with their individual SMS OTP.
30-year retention (RIN article 7.6)
The French Bar's National Internal Regulation (RIN, art. 7.6) requires the lawyer to retain countersigned acts for 30 years. Certyneo archives the signed act and its eIDAS audit trail for this entire period.
Enforceable eIDAS audit trail
Every act ships with an evidence PDF: identity of each signer (parties + lawyer), qualified timestamp, SHA-256 hash, IP geolocation, SMS OTP. Enforceable in court, particularly in forgery proceedings against the act.
Sign a lawyer-countersigned act in 4 steps
From drafting to lawyer countersignature, in less than 5 minutes for signing.
1. Prepare the act
Upload your PDF act (settlement, share transfer, partnership protocol, consensual divorce, shareholders' agreement, etc.). The act must be drafted in compliance with RIN ethics.
2. Add the signers
Parties (individuals or represented legal entities) + countersigning lawyer(s). If each party has their own lawyer, add all lawyers. Each receives a personalised secure link by email.
3. Choose the eIDAS level
Advanced electronic signature (AES) strongly recommended: SMS OTP identity check for the lawyer, unique certificate, qualified timestamp. The lawyer countersignature has a specific probative force — traceability is critical.
4. Sign and archive
Each signer signs from their phone or computer. The finalised act and the evidence PDF are automatically archived for 30 years, in compliance with RIN art. 7.6.
Frequently asked questions
- Can a lawyer-countersigned act be signed electronically?
- Yes, without restriction. Article 1374 of the Civil Code does not distinguish the form: paper or electronic. The CNB (National Council of Bars) confirmed in 2014 and 2019 the full compliance of the electronic acte d'avocat with the RIN, provided the electronic signature is eIDAS-compliant.
- Which signature level: SES, AES or QES?
- Advanced electronic signature (AES) is the professional standard for a lawyer-countersigned act. It brings traceability of the countersignature via SMS OTP. QES is useful for high-exposure acts (share transfer > €1M, contested divorce). SES is underdimensioned.
- Must the lawyer countersignature be timestamped separately?
- Yes, recommended. The countersignature occurs AFTER the parties' signature. Advanced signature timestamps each signature distinctly — the 'parties then lawyer' chronology is visible in the Certyneo audit trail.
- What is forgery proceedings and why is it important?
- Forgery proceedings is the procedure to challenge the authenticity of a writing. Against a lawyer-countersigned act, only forgery proceedings allow challenging the writing or signature — simple denial is not admissible. This constitutes the reinforced probative force. The Certyneo eIDAS audit trail is central in case of forgery defence.
- What types of acts are most frequently lawyer-countersigned?
- SARL/SAS share transfers, partnership agreements, settlement protocols, consensual divorce agreements (since 2017), derogatory leases, PACS agreements, non-compete agreements, high-stakes NDAs.
- How many lawyers may countersign?
- A single lawyer suffices (acted on by a common lawyer to the parties) or one lawyer per party (each represented). The RIN imposes no limit. In practice, when parties have divergent interests, each has their own lawyer — 2 countersignatures.
- Is the electronic acte d'avocat accepted by clerks or administrations?
- Yes — commercial-court clerks (for share transfers), RCS, tax authorities, notaries accept electronic acte d'avocat, provided the signature is eIDAS-compliant and the audit trail is provided. Practice has been common since 2019.
- Is the electronically-signed act enforceable in court?
- Yes — French case law unanimously recognises eIDAS-compliant electronic signatures. AES benefits from the reliability presumption (art. 1367 Civil Code). The electronic acte d'avocat retains its reinforced probative force under 1374.
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Sign your first lawyer-countersigned act online
Permanent free plan (5 envelopes / month), no credit card. Art. 1374 Civil Code + eIDAS compliant. Audit trail and 30-year archiving included.