French Code of civil enforcement procedures

In the case provided for in Article R. 221-2 and subject to the provisions of article R. 221-7, the summons to pay served on the debtor contains, under penalty of nullity: 1° A reference to the writ of execution under which the proceedings are taken, with a separate breakdown of the sums claimed in principal, costs and accrued interest, as well as an indication of the interest rate; 2° A…

The summons to pay cannot be served at an elected domicile. It may be delivered when the judgment is served.

If no enforcement action is taken within two years of the summons to pay, proceedings may only be commenced on the basis of a new summons to pay. However, the order still interrupts the limitation period.

All seizable tangible movable property belonging to the debtor may be subject to a seizure for sale, including that which has previously been seized as a protective measure. In the latter case, articles R. 522-12 to R. 522-14.

I. – For debts recovered by public accountants, the seizure and sale is preceded by an order to pay or a formal notice to pay as provided for by article L. 257 of the Book of Tax Procedures. II – For the claims mentioned in I of this article for an amount greater than the sum mentioned in article R. 221-2, the summons to pay shall contain, failing which it…

Notwithstanding Article R. 221-5, for the recovery of claims referred to in I of Article R. 221-7 if, within a period of two years following the summons or formal notice to pay, no legal proceedings whatsoever or partial payment has been made, the seizure-sale may only be initiated on the basis of a new summons or formal notice to pay.