Grégoire Toulouse

Grégoire is a commercial and antitrust lawyer and the Head of our Franchise group in Paris. He advises both domestic startups and multinational brands on their expansion. He’s recognised by his clients for giving advice which is accurate, coherent, and commercially practical.

Specialized in distribution law with a particular expertise in franchise law, Gregoire advises his clients – ranging from start ups to multinational and listed companies – on the setting up of their distribution networks, their business development, the promotion of their sales and on all competition issues relating to distribution.

Enjoying a wide experience of contractual techniques, Gregoire assists the firm's clients in the drafting of their commercial contracts especially within European and International contexts.

Gregoire also litigates before French courts, in matters relating to franchising, unfair competition, restrictive and anti-competitive practices, termination of contractual relationships and when disputes raise complex international law issues.

Gregoire graduated from Sciences Po Rennes in 1999 and holds a Master degree in Business law from the Sorbonne University (2001) and a Master Degree in European Business Law from University Panthéon-Assas (2002).

Grégoire is a Member of the Expert Committee of the French Franchise Federation and teaches Franchise Law at University Paris X.

He contributes articles on a regular basis in the field of franchise and distribution law and is regularly interviewed as an expert on franchise related issues.

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Career

Since 2013	Partner, Taylor Wessing
2009 - 2013	Senior Associate, Taylor Wessing
2007 - 2009	Senior Associate, Fieldfisher

2004 - 2007

Associate, Dubarry Le Douarin Veil

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Education

2004	Admitted to the Bar, Paris
2003	Diploma, Paris Bar
2002	Master, European Business Law, Paris II - Panthéon-Assas

2001	Master, French Business Law, Paris I - Panthéon-Sorbonne,
1999	Diploma, Institute of Political Sciences, Rennes

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Publications

Interview : « The agent, an independant entrepreneur who is never alone », in Les Echos, 7 June 2022
Interview : « Omnicanal strategy and franchising », in L’Express, 20 March 2022
« The Reform of the VBER: distinction between active and passive sales », Article in French, in L’Essentiel du droit de la distribution, Octobre 2021
Interview : « The franchisor has no obligation to pay commissions on online sales to the franchisee, in Les Echos, 26 November 2020
« Commercial agents status: overriding mandatory rules or mere domestic public policy rules? », Article in French, L’essentiel du droit de la distribution, May 202
« Amending the general terms of sale during the course of the business relationship » Article in French, L’essentiel du droit de la distribution, July 2019
Interview : « Opportunities in emerging markets », published in Franchise et concept in March 2018
« Pre-contract disclosure: the Paris Court of Appeal provides precisions on the scope of the Doubin law », Article in French, in L’essentiel du droit de la distribution, October 201
« Commercial Agents’ termination indemnity and fixed term agreements », Article in French, in L’essentiel du droit de la distribution, September 2017
“Validity of a settlement agreement following the abrupt termination of a well established commercial relationship”,Article in French, published in L’essentiel du droit de la distribution, April 2017
“Forced continuation of a franchise agreement abusively terminated”, Article in French, in L’essentiel du droit de la distribution, February 2017
“Reform of Contract Law: what impact on Franchising?”, Article in French, published in Franchise Magazine on 3 May 2016
Interview: “Franchisees: what happens when the franchisor is taken over?”, in Les Echos de la Franchise on 11 April 2016
“A new legal framework for non-compete undertakings”, Article in French, in Franchise Magazine on 9 March 2016
Interview: “Sale of franchisee’s business: the provisions that protect the franchisor” published in Les Echos de la Franchise on 16 March 2015
Interview: “Partnership between Auchan & Système U: what consequences on the market? ” published in Points de vente on 23 February 2015
Franchise Agreement: beware of the significant imbalance, Article in French, Franchise Magazine, December 2014

The risks of commission-agency under license, Article in French, Franchise Magazine, March 2014
The commission-agent under license, commissionnaire-affilié from a competition law perspective, Article in French, February 2014
Terms & Conditions of sale: beware of the trap of the legal rate, Article in French, Les Echos Business, June 2013
International expansion: the key issues, Article in French, Franchise Magazine, February 2013
Internationalisation of Franchise Networks Article in English, Whichfranchise, November 2012
Pre-contract disclosure & franchising, Article in French, Lamy Droit des affaires, August 2012
Pre-contract information: the French Supreme Court adopts an extensive interpretation of the Doubin law Article in French, Jurisclasseur Entreprise & Affaires, April 2010
First application to commercial agency contracts of the provisions of Article 5-1 b) of EC Regulation of 22 December 2000 concerning jurisdiction Article in French, Les petites affiches, June 2007
Selling below cost: a semi-reform, Article in French, La Tribune, September 2005

Memberships & Associations

Member of the Expert Committee of the French Franchise Federation.

Member of the International Franchising Committee, International Bar Association

Grégoire Toulouse teaches domestic and international franchise law to Master Degree students at University Paris X (Nanterre).

Grégoire Toulouse is regularly a Speaker at various conferences in France and abroad as an expert in franchise (French Supreme Court (Cour de cassation) in 2012, Conference organised by Concurrences Journal in 2013, Conference set up by the International Franchise Association in Chicago in 2015, Washington in 2019).

Additional languages

English

Expertise

Sectors Consumer & retail Hotels, hospitality & leisure

Experience

A US multinational company in the hospitality sector

Advising a US multinational company in the hospitality sector on the development of its franchise network in France.

Grégoire Toulouse

A French company in the catering sector

Advising a French company in the catering sector on the worldwide expansion of its franchise network (Germany, UK, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, GEC Zone, USA, Iran).

Grégoire Toulouse

A French cooperative company

Advising a French cooperative company in the dairy industry in the setting up of a network of licensed points of sale in South Korea.

Grégoire Toulouse

Litigating for a French company

Litigating for a French company in the catering sector against a former franchisee in Germany for non-compliance with the franchisor’s concept and non-payment of the royalty fees.

Grégoire Toulouse

Litigating for a German company

Litigating for a German company against a former French exclusive distributor in a multi-jurisdiction dispute on the ground of an alleged abrupt termination of the business relationship.

Grégoire Toulouse

A US company in the clothing sector

Advising a leading US company in the clothing sector in a dispute with a former French franchisee about pre-contract disclosure and alleged unfair competition.

Grégoire Toulouse

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Awards

Chambers & Partners Global 2023	In 2023, Grégoire Toulouse was once again recognized as one of the leading lawyers in the world in the field of franchise law by Chambers & Partners Global.
Who’s Who Legal 2022	Grégoire Toulouse is described as “a star on the European franchise market” and ranked as a “Global Elite Thought Leader” in Franchise law (the highest recognition).
Legal 500 2022	Grégoire Toulouse is quoted in the Legal 500 ranking in the category EU, Competition and distribution law and is described as an excellent franchise lawyer, always available and understanding his clients’ business.
Best lawyers 2021	In 2021, Grégoire Toulouse was even elected as “Lawyer of the Year” for franchise law in France. Since 2017, Grégoire Toulouse is nominated every year by peers in Best Lawyers, Franchise section
Décideurs Magazine	Taylor Wessing is considered as a “Leading Law Firm” in Franchise law (the highest recognition) and in the category Excellent in Distribution Law.

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