of Intervention
Avocat – Paris Bar No. 134917
& Immigration Law
2 rue de Poissy, 75005 Paris · Bar No. 134917
juliobvero.com
Maître JULIO VERO (hereinafter "the Lawyer" or "the Cabinet") is an attorney acting under French law, registered at the Paris Bar (Barreau de Paris) under licence number 134917, practising at 2 rue de Poissy, 75005 Paris, France.
The Lawyer practises French citizenship law, immigration law, and consular litigation, advising international clients in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.
In the absence of more specific conditions of intervention agreed by the Parties in an engagement letter, a quote, or by email, the professional relationship between the Lawyer and the client(s) (hereinafter the "Client(s)") is governed by the present General Conditions and by the Client's Agreement of Understanding, attached as Annex I.
1. Treatment of Files
The realisation of the services offered will be led by the Lawyer, who directly oversees any work performed by collaborators or external professionals assigned to the case within his area of expertise.
The Client is informed and expressly accepts that the Lawyer practises from Paris and travels regularly within Europe and occasionally abroad in connection with client matters.
When the case requires expertise outside the Lawyer's domain, an external attorney will be designated to handle the matter under their own professional autonomy and responsibility, with the Client's prior agreement.
The Client acknowledges that the Lawyer may delegate certain administrative or secretarial tasks (e.g. translations, photocopying, mailing) to external service providers under the Lawyer's supervision and at the Client's expense, with prior information.
The Lawyer is at the disposal of the Client for any request relating to the services provided within the usual business hours in France, from Monday to Friday, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Paris time).
2. Combating Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing
Under articles L. 561-1 and following of the French Monetary and Financial Code, attorneys are subject to general obligations of vigilance, supplemented by an obligation to retain information for five (5) years and an obligation to report suspicions where applicable.
Accordingly, in order to provide the services stipulated, the Client's active participation is required by providing all information requested in the Know-Your-Client (KYC) file. The information provided shall be considered complete and accurate, and must be updated if circumstances change.
Before commencing the service, the KYC file must be completed and the Client's information verified. If the Client does not fulfil this formality, the Lawyer reserves the right to terminate services and to refund only the portion of any payment not yet absorbed by work carried out.
Where required by law, identity verification may be conducted through electronic identification services. The Client agrees that the Lawyer may use such services to verify the identity of the Client, and where applicable, of directors, officers or beneficial owners of legal entities.
3. Data Protection
In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (the "GDPR") and the French Data Protection Act of 6 January 1978 as amended (Loi Informatique et Libertés), the Client's personal data shall be processed confidentially and solely for the purposes of performing the agreed services.
Data controller: Maître Julio Vero, attorney at the Paris Bar (n° 134917), 2 rue de Poissy, 75005 Paris, France. Contact: avocat@juliobvero.com.
| Purpose | Legal Basis | Categories of Data | Individuals | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prospecting and communication | Legitimate interest | Identity, contact information | Prospects | 3 years |
| Relationship management | Legitimate interest | Identity, personal or professional life data | Clients, Prospects | Duration of contractual relationship or 3 years |
| File management & follow-up | Performance of contract | Identity, civil status, family data, financial information | Clients | Contractual relationship + applicable limitation period |
| Billing | Legal obligation | Identity, financial information | Clients | 10 years from close of financial year |
| Debt recovery | Legitimate interest | Identity, financial information | Clients | Until full payment |
| AML & counter-terrorism financing | Legal obligation | Identity, financial information, KYC data | Clients | 5 years post-contractual relationship |
| Accounting | Legal obligation | Identity, financial information | Clients | 10 years from end of accounting period |
| Service optimisation via digital tools | Legitimate interest / Performance of contract | Case data relating to services performed | Clients | Duration of contractual relationship + 3 years |
The Lawyer may use professional technology tools in the performance of the services, including client relationship management software, electronic signature platforms, and AI-assisted research tools, under his professional responsibility and in compliance with applicable data protection regulations and attorney-client privilege.
Personal data may be communicated to: collaborators of the Cabinet, correspondent attorneys, technical service providers (hosting, CRM, electronic signature, payment processing), translators, and competent administrative or judicial authorities in connection with the services provided.
Under the GDPR and French law, individuals have the right of access, rectification, limitation, portability and erasure of data concerning them, as well as the right to object to processing or commercial prospecting. Such rights may be exercised by email to avocat@juliobvero.com or by post to the address above.
In the event of a dispute regarding data processing, the Client may lodge a complaint with the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL), 3 Place de Fontenoy, TSA 80715, 75334 Paris Cedex 07 (www.cnil.fr).
4. Setting of Professional Fees
The Lawyer's fees are set in accordance with the engagement letter or the commercial quote signed between the Lawyer and the Client, or resulting from email exchanges between the parties. Fees are invoiced either: (1) according to time spent on the case at the agreed hourly rate; or (2) on a flat-fee basis negotiated with the Client. All amounts, by default, are stated excluding VAT.
Fees may take into account the importance and complexity of the case, its urgency, and the extent of the responsibilities involved. In certain cases, an additional success fee may be agreed in writing. Costs related to sworn translators, legalisation and authentication of documents, travel, postage and consular fees are not included in the Lawyer's fees and are borne by the Client.
Fee disputes. In the event of a dispute regarding the amount of fees, fees may be recalculated on the basis of the time actually spent on the case at the applicable hourly rate of €300 per hour excl. VAT (2026 reference). The Client expressly acknowledges that flat-fee arrangements are convenience agreements that do not reflect the actual time devoted to the case, which is generally significantly higher.
4bis. Scope of Flat-Fee Packages & Excess Services
Flat-fee packages include a defined scope of services described in the applicable commercial offer, engagement letter, email agreement, or service description. Any service exceeding the scope shall be: (a) offered as an upgrade to the next applicable package; or (b) billed on a time-spent basis at €300 excl. VAT per hour, in minimum units of six (6) minutes. The Lawyer shall inform the Client when requests exceed the subscribed package scope. No additional service shall be initiated without the Client's prior agreement, except in cases of urgency.
4ter. Standalone Consultations
The Lawyer offers standalone legal consultations at the following rates:
- 30 minutes: €100 excl. VAT (€120 incl. VAT at 20%)
- 1 hour: €180 excl. VAT (€216 incl. VAT at 20%)
Consultations take place via videoconference or phone and are strictly limited to the oral exchange during the scheduled time slot. They do not include written legal opinions, memos, summaries, document drafting or review, or any follow-up written exchange after the consultation. Any additional service shall be billed at the applicable hourly rate, with a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes per intervention.
Payment is due before the consultation. Cancellation: free of charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled time. After this deadline, the fee remains due in full. No-shows are non-refundable.
4qua. Information on Legal Aid
In accordance with the Lawyer's professional obligations, the Client is informed of the existence of legal aid in France (aide juridictionnelle, Law No. 91-647 of 10 July 1991 – www.justice.gouv.fr). The Lawyer does not practise under the legal aid scheme. The Client's decision to retain the Lawyer implies the waiver of the benefit of legal aid for the services concerned.
5. Fee Forecast in Case of Hourly Billing
In cases billed on an hourly basis, the Lawyer will provide a non-contractual reasonable estimate of the time required and foreseeable fees. This is an a priori estimate which may vary in light of unforeseeable events such as judicial hazards and additional discretionary inquiries from competent authorities. Fee forecasts are provided for information purposes only and are not binding on the Lawyer.
6. Advance Payments & Provisions
To initiate a case, the Client shall pay a non-refundable deposit covering initial costs and disbursements, time spent on analysis, and the implementation of appropriate procedures. Additional provisions may be requested if the time spent exceeds the initial retainer. Payment of the deposit or total fees is required prior to the provision of any services. The deposit is non-refundable. Payment of fees based on time spent and/or pro rata is also non-refundable.
The Lawyer reserves the right to end his intervention if any retainer request is not honoured within fifteen (15) days following the request.
7.Costs & Disbursements
The Lawyer may incur costs and expenses on behalf of the Client (timbres fiscaux, sworn translations, apostilles, court fees, postage). All costs and disbursements are specifically itemised on the invoice sent to the Client.
8.VAT
Invoices are issued by Maître Julio Vero. French VAT at the standard rate (currently 20%) is applicable and stated on all invoices for fees, unless otherwise provided by law (e.g. exempt operations under the rules applicable to non-EU clients pursuant to articles 259 et seq. of the French General Tax Code).
9.Billing
Detailed invoices are sent to the Client in accordance with previously agreed terms (single invoice, instalments, monthly, quarterly, or according to service progress). Invoices are payable on receipt. In the event of non-payment, the Lawyer reserves the right to suspend or terminate services.
10.Payment of Fees
The Client is responsible for the payment of all costs and fees due to the Lawyer and to any correspondents or external professionals appointed for the mission. Payment may be made by SEPA bank transfer to the details indicated by the Lawyer, or by credit card via a payment link sent by the Lawyer. In the latter case, transaction costs may be charged to the Client.
In the event of non-payment on the due date, late-payment interest is legally due at a rate equal to 1.5 times the legal interest rate from the date mentioned on the invoice, without the need for a prior reminder, in accordance with article L. 441-10 of the French Commercial Code where applicable.
Instalment plans. Notwithstanding any instalment plan, the total fees agreed remain due in full. Any instalment plan is solely a payment scheduling mechanism and does not constitute a novation, release, or waiver of the Lawyer's right to recover the Total Fee. If the Client fails to pay any instalment on its due date, the Lawyer may: (i) declare all remaining instalments immediately due and payable; (ii) suspend the performance of services until full payment; (iii) charge interest on overdue amounts; and (iv) recover reasonable costs of collection including legal fees.
11.Termination & Change of Counsel
In the event of a change of counsel, the Client shall pay all invoices owed to the Lawyer. If the Client wishes to terminate the Lawyer's services and/or transfer their file to another lawyer, they undertake to pay within eight (8) calendar days the fees corresponding to the total time spent on the case at the applicable hourly rate (€300 per hour excl. VAT, 2026 reference), as well as any expenses and costs owed for procedures carried out prior to termination.
In any case, the Client acknowledges that the opening and initial processing of any case requires a minimum amount of work (eligibility assessment, initial consultation, KYC verification, preliminary analysis), the value of which shall not be less than €1,200 excluding VAT.
12.Liability
The Lawyer is bound to treat all information obtained from the Client with the utmost confidentiality, indefinitely, in accordance with attorney-client privilege under French law. The professional relationship ends when the Lawyer fulfils the mandate given by the Client. The Lawyer may, however, cease to provide services for any reason consistent with applicable professional and ethical rules, with written notification to the Client.
The Lawyer is covered by professional liability insurance as required by article 27 of the Decree of 27 November 1991 organising the legal profession. Information regarding insurance coverage may be provided upon request.
Any claim relating to the services provided must be notified in writing to the Lawyer within twelve (12) months of the event giving rise to the claim, without prejudice to the applicable statutory limitation periods.
13.Mediation – Applicable Law & Jurisdiction
The present General Conditions are governed by French law.
In accordance with articles L. 612-1 et seq. of the French Consumer Code, the consumer Client may have free recourse to the Consumer Mediator at the Conseil National des Barreaux (CNB) – 180 Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris – mediateur@mediateur-consommation-avocat.fr – mediateur-consommation-avocat.fr.
Disputes regarding the amount of fees follow the specific procedure provided for under articles 174 et seq. of Decree No. 91-1197 of 27 November 1991, before the President of the Paris Bar Association (Bâtonnier de l'Ordre des Avocats au Barreau de Paris).
For any other dispute, jurisdiction lies with the competent French courts at Paris, subject to mandatory rules protecting consumers.
14.Right of Withdrawal for Distance Contracts
Where the relationship with the Lawyer has been concluded entirely at a distance, and the Client is a consumer (a natural person acting outside the scope of any commercial, industrial, craft, agricultural or liberal activity), the Client has a right of withdrawal exercisable without reason within fourteen (14) days from the day after the engagement.
If the Client has expressly requested execution of the engagement before the end of the withdrawal period and has waived this right, they shall pay the amount corresponding to services provided until communication of their decision to withdraw, proportional to the total price agreed.
15.Signature Terms & Remote Signature
These General Conditions are equivalent to a letter of engagement and govern all matters not specifically agreed upon by email, letter, quote or specific assignment agreement. In the event of a conflict, the terms of the specific agreement shall prevail; to the extent specific rules do not cover the matter in dispute, the terms of these General Conditions shall apply.
The Client's signature is collected in electronic form: either by means of an electronic signature service designated by the Lawyer, or on a scanned document circulating between the Parties (the date certain being that of the last email containing the signed scanned document).
Annex I: Client's Agreement of Understanding — Annex II: Refund Policy.
By signing or accepting the commercial quote sent by the Lawyer, the Client acknowledges having been duly informed of these General Conditions of Intervention and the attached Annexes (Annex I – Client's Agreement of Understanding; Annex II – Refund Policy), and expressly accepts them in their entirety, without reservation.
of Understanding
By signing the General Conditions, I, the undersigned, acknowledge in my own name or on behalf of the entity I represent, and agree to the following:
- Authority of Administrative and Judicial Entities: I understand that French and foreign administrative bodies, courts and consular authorities have full discretionary power to grant or deny any application (visa, residence permit, citizenship certificate, naturalisation, passport, etc.). They may also issue a document that differs from the one applied for, in duration or type. I expressly acknowledge that the Lawyer has an obligation of means to enhance the chances of obtaining the desired outcome, and not an obligation of result.
- Travel Arrangements and Property Purchases: I understand that any travel arrangements (including flight bookings) or property purchases made prior to obtaining the relevant visa, permit, or citizenship recognition are undertaken at my own risk. The Lawyer strongly advises against finalising any major financial commitments until the relevant document is officially granted, and disclaims any liability for losses or inconveniences arising from a denial, delay, or issuance under different conditions than initially expected.
- Scope of Services: The Lawyer's role is to provide support and to enhance my chances of a successful application, including accompanying me through the process and offering guidance based on his expertise.
- Network Collaboration Acknowledgment: I understand that the Lawyer may collaborate with independent attorneys (in France or abroad) in connection with my matter. Each maintains their own professional autonomy. The Lawyer is not responsible for the actions or services provided by such independent attorneys or external entities, beyond the duty of careful selection.
- Application Process Acknowledgment: I acknowledge that any visa, permit or citizenship process requires patience. It can be prolonged at any time, and the administration may request additional information or documentation after the initial submission.
- Appointment Scheduling: I acknowledge that the Lawyer relies on the administration for scheduling appointments and that any dates communicated are subject to administrative timelines and availability.
- Fee Structure: I agree that the Lawyer's fees compensate the effort and services provided, not the outcome of the application. I acknowledge that fixed-fee agreements do not reflect a projection of actual hours incurred. In the event of termination, replacement, or change of counsel, I commit to paying for the actual time incurred at the applicable hourly rate (€300 excl. VAT, 2026 reference).
- Payment in Instalments: I understand that any instalment plan granted is solely a timetable for payment and does not reduce, waive, or alter the Total Fee, which remains due in full even in the event of early cancellation of my project.
- Document Submission: I commit to providing all necessary documents and information within the agreed timeline. The Lawyer's services include up to three (3) follow-up communications (email or call) for missing documents. Any additional follow-ups may incur a charge of €50 per request unless otherwise agreed.
- Resubmission: I acknowledge that a resubmission involves re-presenting my file or documentation due to events such as closure of the case by the administration, full or partial rejection, or substantial delays. Resubmissions imply restarting or significantly reinitiating the procedure. The Lawyer may charge an additional fixed resubmission fee ranging from €500 to €1,000 per application.
- Document Changes and Updates (without category modification): The Lawyer's services include up to two (2) document changes or updates, provided such changes do not involve switching to a different visa, permit or citizenship category and are requested within two (2) months from the date of the Client's last written correspondence relating to the application. After the two-month period, a fixed rework fee of €500 per application shall apply.
- Visa or Procedure Category Change During the Process: If the new procedure has lower fees than the original, the initial fees remain unchanged. If higher fees apply, the difference must be paid, plus an additional flat administrative management fee of €500 excl. VAT.
- Appointment Changes: I acknowledge that up to two (2) changes to administrative appointments are included. Further changes may be subject to additional charges.
- Client Responsibilities: I acknowledge that the full set of required documents must be delivered to the Lawyer within three (3) months of engaging the services. Subsequent document requests beyond the three included follow-ups may incur a charge of €50 each.
- Availability: I commit to being available and fully engaged throughout the entire process of preparing the file, including addressing last-minute requirements promptly.
- Urgency Surcharge: I understand that if I request the Lawyer's services less than two (2) weeks before the deadline for my case, or fail to provide required documents within agreed deadlines despite multiple reminders, the Lawyer may apply an urgency surcharge of up to 30% of the fees.
- Refund: I acknowledge having reviewed the Refund Policy and understand that initial deposits are non-refundable as they cover preparatory actions. A partial refund may be granted only if I cancel within fourteen (14) days and, cumulatively, no action, consultation, or sharing of documentation has been carried out by the Lawyer.
- Communication Tools and Guidelines: All written communication should be conducted by email to avocat@juliobvero.com as the primary channel. WhatsApp may be used as a secondary channel by mutual agreement. Direct communication via channels not approved by the Lawyer may not be tracked nor acted upon.
- Business Hours and Response Time: Service hours are Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Paris time, except French bank holidays. Responses are provided within three (3) business days.
- Meeting Scheduling: Depending on the service, between one (1) and three (3) conference calls are included. Additional meetings can be arranged on request. Each meeting extending beyond fifteen (15) minutes will incur a fee of €100 plus VAT.
- Intellectual Property and Usage Rights: The documents and templates provided by the Lawyer are exclusively for my use and may not be shared, distributed, or reproduced without explicit written consent.
- Liability and Termination of Services: The Lawyer reserves the right to suspend or terminate services in cases of non-compliance with the agreed terms, failure to meet financial obligations, or other justified reasons. Any fees for services rendered up to the termination date will remain payable.
- Legal Aid: I have been informed of the existence of the French aide juridictionnelle scheme and of the fact that the Lawyer does not practise under it. I have freely chosen to retain the Lawyer with full knowledge thereof.
- Fee Disputes: I acknowledge that in the event of a dispute regarding fees, fees may be recalculated on the basis of the time actually spent on my case at the applicable hourly rate.
The Client's acceptance of the commercial quote constitutes full acknowledgment and acceptance of this Agreement of Understanding, in accordance with Article 15 of the General Conditions of Intervention.
This policy defines the conditions and procedures for refunds applicable to legal services provided by the Lawyer.
While, as per the General Conditions, deposits paid are non-refundable, in certain cases a full or partial refund may be granted under the conditions below.
Refunds may be considered in the following situations:
- Billing error: double billing or incorrect invoicing.
- Service not provided: if, due to a circumstance attributable exclusively to the Lawyer, the service could not be delivered.
- Cancellation within a specified timeframe: if, cumulatively, the Client cancels within fourteen (14) days of engaging services, no substantial or preparatory work has been undertaken, and no list of documents has been provided — a partial refund may be granted at the Lawyer's discretion.
- Client decision to change plans after the service has commenced (including the decision not to travel to or settle in the country of services).
- Administrative delays or refusals beyond the Lawyer's control (e.g. visa or residence permit refusal, extended government processing times, consular discretion).
- Force majeure or exceptional circumstances outside the Lawyer's control.
- Expenses already incurred (administrative fees, initiated procedures, completed consultations, subcontractors paid).
All requests must be submitted within fourteen (14) days of the initial payment, in writing via email to avocat@juliobvero.com, specifying: client details, date of engagement, date of payment, nature of the issue, and supporting documents. The Lawyer commits to reviewing each request within ten (10) business days.
If a refund is approved, it will be issued using the same payment method as the original transaction, within a maximum of thirty (30) business days from the approval date.
For any inquiries regarding this policy, please contact: avocat@juliobvero.com.
2 rue de Poissy, 75005 Paris · avocat@juliobvero.com
General Conditions of Intervention · 2026