Termination of agency and distribution relationships in the champagne sector.
Ending a long-standing commercial relationship across borders is rarely straightforward.
Particularly when agency and distribution structures are involved, termination can quickly raise complex questions regarding indemnities, applicable law and enforcement risks.
In this matter, a French champagne producer decided to change its commercial strategy and terminate its relationships with two Italian companies acting respectively as agent and distributor in Italy. The Italian counterparts sought compensation in light of the duration and nature of the relationship.
DLN members Nicolas Genty and Marco Venturello worked together to assess the differences between French and Italian law concerning the termination of agency and distribution agreements, including the potential indemnities that could arise under each legal framework.
The coordinated cross-border analysis also considered the practical implications of enforcing a potential Italian judgment in France, helping the client approach negotiations from a clear strategic position.
The matter was ultimately resolved through settlement negotiations, avoiding further escalation of the dispute.
This project reflects the type of coordinated European advice that the Distribution Law Network provides in complex cross-border distribution matters.
If you want to benefit from coordinated European expertise in distribution law, get in touch with the DLN.
Learn more about the network: Distribution Law Network
