French notaire and investment advice

In spite of Brexit and Sterling/Euro exchange rate fluctuations, many people in Jersey still have land or business interests just across the water in France. Others are considering investing there, especially those discouraged by the cost of home ownership in Jersey.

Prudent local businesses are on the lookout for materials, customers or suppliers in France.

Housing and commodity prices in France remain very competitive as compared with prices in Jersey, particularly away from the obvious hot-spots on the coast.

Help and advice may be at hand

Jersey residents who have already invested or who are considering so doing will be interested to know that a Notaire from Brittany will be in Jersey on the 24th October. Accompanied by an investment advisor he will be meeting, on a no charge, no obligation basis, Jersey residents who wish to discuss their plans with him between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm at the Maison de Normandie et de la Manche at 71 Halkett Place.

Understanding the work of the Notaire

The work of the Notaire (or Notary) in France is more wide-ranging than in Jersey. There are 17,000 of them across France distributed among 8,000 notarial practices with 70,000 staff.

They sign off on 6,000,000 deals each year of which 1,200,000 are land sales. The French notary is a public officer but also an independent professional whose seal, once affixed to the documents, confirms his personal responsibility for their contents and the date of their execution. You can’t draw up a marriage contract or buy or rent land in France without a notaire.

You shouldn’t organise your succession after your death, make an important investment or commit your business to an important deal without one. His job is to explain the law, to explain the duties assumed by parties to an agreement, to de-mystify the jargon and to draft agreements whose validity it’s his job to place beyond doubt.

Did you know?

All French notaries have nationwide competence throughout France. Your Breton notary could help you buy or sell your chalet in the Alps, a pied à terre in Paris or a villa on the Riviera.

The contents of a notarial act are not open to doubt. A French court will consider the act proof of its contents. Full stop. End of story.

Many French people would not dream of managing their investments, assets and estates without the advice of their notary.

Although French notaries are often assumed to be neutral participants in drawing up a sale agreement (eg for a house) for no extra fee a buyer may retain a second notary of their own to advise them on their purchase.

What next?

Interested islanders are invited to contact the Maison de Normandie et de la Manche on Tel  01534 280110 to book a meeting on the 24th October (10am – 12am / 2pm-6pm) or directly Maître BLIN from Rennes (representing the Chamber of Notaries of Ille-et-Vilaine for this day). Contact him at notaire@channelislands.fr or by phone: +33.6.75.61.62.22.