Chapter III: Criminal settlements

The administrative authority referred to in Article L. 523-1 is the Head of the National Investigation Department of the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, the Regional Director for the Economy, Employment, Labour and Solidarity or the Director of the Departmental Directorate for the Protection of Populations . These administrative authorities may delegate their signatures to category A officials under their authority.

The administrative authority mentioned in article R. 523-1 forwards the proposed settlement to the public prosecutor within three months of the closure of the official report establishing the offence.

When the public prosecutor has agreed to the settlement proposal, the administrative authority notifies the offender in duplicate.

If at the end of the period mentioned in article R. 523-3, the offender has refused the proposal or has not responded to it, the administrative authority shall inform the public prosecutor without delay. The latter shall also be informed by the administrative authority if the offender has not paid the sum specified in the settlement by the end of the time limit set or has not fulfilled any other…