About the Partners

Monique Fauchon

Monique studied French law at Assas Paris II (Assas and Cambridge have a common programme in English and French law degrees). She also attended the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po). Qualified as Avocat à la Cour de Paris in France in 1981, Monique practiced in Paris for 20 years. She has worked for 5 years in London. Her professional experience in more than one jurisdiction, combined with her fluency in French and English, has proven instrumental in successfully negotiating cross-border matters.

Monique's practice areas under French law include:
Advice and litigation in property, insurance, family, international private law and human rights and corporate matters, along with drafting leases, private and commercial premises, building, planning, public development (Grande Bibliothèque de France) and matrimonial contracts.

Her specialist qualification in property (recognised by the Paris bar) led to her acting for major blue chip companies on the Paris property market.

Some of her recent litigation experiences have been in the field of international private law where she was involved in matters pertaining to right choice of jurisdiction between France and the UK.

Monique has also been involved in protecting human rights where she successfully represented the French Fisheries Committee when French fishermen were arrested and treated unfairly in the UK waters by the Guernsey authorities. This matter went to the European commission on the ground of breach of the Treaty of Rome by the UK government and was covered by the national media on both sides of the Channel.

Monique has made academic contributions to the legal fraternity, including an article entitled "Le pacte civil de solidarité: mode d'emploi" Trait d'Union, Londres 1999.

Michel Levy

Michel Levy studied French law at Assas and is a graduate of both the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris. He also studied business at Essec (Ecole Supérieure de Commerce).

Michel was admitted as Avocat à la Cour (1986) and has specialised in public law. He set up his own firm in Paris in 1988 (now called Fauchon Levy), where he has been practicing public law, tax law, succession, criminal and corporate law.

In 1996 the London office of Fauchon Levy was opened to provide French legal services in the UK.

Michel won the Paris Bar mooting competition and was elected Premier Secrétaire à la Conférence du Stage des Avocats à la Cour de Cassation, which acknowledges his exceptional talent in eloquence.

Fluent in French and English, he has contributed to the Universal's Encyclopaedia over the years and, after having taught at the first-class university, Assas-Paris II Law College, for many years, is now a member of the examination jury of the Paris Bar school.

Michel's recent litigation experience includes acting for a major British charity in a French tax matter. This involved the enforcement of the Treaty of Rome and the principle of non-discrimination, where it is claimed that the French government should treat British charities in the same way as French charities, by exemption of inheritance taxes.

In addition to this, he is currently involved in a criminal trial related to Customs & Excise regulations, where he is presenting a defence based on the Human Rights Convention that has not been respected by the French authorities.

The partners co-ordinate and supervise a team of trainees and younger Avocats. They have created links with notaires, huissers, surveyors, accountants and estate agents all over France.