TITLE II: Statutory Auditors.

When he finds facts likely to be linked to money laundering or terrorist financing, the General Rapporteur shall inform the department mentioned in Article L. 561-23 of the Monetary and Financial Code.

When particularly serious acts appear likely to justify criminal or disciplinary sanctions, the General Rapporteur may, when justified by urgency and the public interest, and after the person concerned has been given the opportunity to present his observations, refer to the High Council, which deliberates without the presence of the restricted formation, a request for provisional suspension for a maximum period of six months, of a statutory auditor, natural person….

The High Council, acting in a restricted formation, hears actions brought against statutory auditors registered on the list mentioned in I of Article L. 822-1, third-country auditors mentioned in I of Article L. 822-1-5 and persons other than statutory auditors.

The panel summons the accused person to a hearing, which is held at least two months after the statement of objections is notified. Where there is a serious reason to doubt the impartiality of a member of the panel, he or she is disqualified at the request of the accused person or the general rapporteur. The hearing is public. However, on his own initiative or at the request of the…