Erell Bauduin and Julia Landru publish in STEP Journal on family business succession planning in France
min readErell Bauduin and Julia Landru have authored an article for STEP Journal (Issue 3, 2026) titled “Continuity and Control”, exploring the legal, tax and governance frameworks underpinning successful family business succession in France.
In the article, they highlight the challenges associated with fragile business transitions and emphasise the importance of robust structuring to ensure long-term continuity. The authors outline how succession planning in France typically rests on three complementary pillars: a tailored legal framework enabling the separation of ownership and control, a tax framework – notably the Dutreil regime – to mitigate succession costs, and an operational framework to manage transitional phases and intergenerational dynamics.
The piece also examines the growing role of governance tools such as family charters, shareholders’ agreements and succession committees in formalising decision-making, managing potential conflicts, and supporting the selection and preparation of future leaders. It further considers the added complexity of cross-border family structures, including differing tax treatments and the need for coordinated international planning.
Read the full article in STEP Journal (behind paywall).
