Since July 1, 2022, the merging of the professions of bailiffs and judicial auctioneers has given rise to the "commissaire de justice." As jurists on the ground, the 3,700 commissaires de justice working across the territory are valuable allies for rural stakeholders: they serve important documents such as rural lease terminations, ensure the effective execution of judicial decisions, and in doing so, the collection of unpaid debts. Specialists in evidence, they perform assessments whose value is decisive in preventing or resolving disputes and asserting your rights with an insurer. As valuation experts, they compile inventories and can conduct auctions.

Enhance Your Assets: Inventories and Auctions The commissaire de justice is an expert in property valuation. They perform inventories, appraisals, and organize judicial auctions (ordered by a judge or mandated by law) or voluntary sales (if they are also a voluntary sale officer). They assist you with all types of sales:

Agricultural equipment,

Stock: wine, processed products, fruits, and vegetables…

The commissaire de justice evaluates your assets, organizes the sale, and secures your transactions: the transfer of ownership is safeguarded, and the payment is immediate.

Preserve Your Cash Flow: Debt Recovery

Whether it’s the sale of raw materials, service provision, or rental of agricultural equipment, the refusal or failure to pay by your clients can destabilize the financial health of your operation. The commissaire de justice is the only professional able to implement a full range of recovery solutions, from amicable to judicial. Their priority is to obtain an enforceable title to prevent foreclosure, i.e., the extinction of the debt.

As a negotiator, the commissaire de justice tailors their approach to the nature of the debt and the profile of the debtor: friendly reminders, proposals for staggered payments, or if necessary, initiating seizure procedures. They provide advice and help you manage potential conflicts while preserving your image and commercial relationships.

Establish Undisputed Evidence Through Assessment

The assessment by a commissaire de justice is the most secure and reliable method of proof to protect your interests. Its evidential value is particularly strong and recognized in courts and by insurance companies.

To avoid recourse:

Prove the absence of nuisance: sound emission measurements, samplings...

Assessment of stock destruction (for tax purposes)

Assessment before construction work and display of building permits

To prove damage and obtain compensation:

A malfunction: heating, alarm system, automatic watering system in a greenhouse...

Damage on a packaging line, improper calibration of a spreading application...

Damage caused by wildlife, natural disasters

Non-compliance or delivery delays

Demonstrating unfair competition

Reporting damage to a building, a crop

Assessment of job abandonment, employee misconduct The commissaire de justice always visits the site and can support their assessment with drone-captured videos, measurements, or analyses.

Ensure the Smooth Operation of the Rural Lease

Whether you are a tenant or a landlord, the commissaire de justice can assist you in ensuring your legal security:

Drafting the lease contract

Condition report of the lands and facilities at the beginning and end of the lease

Assessment in case of dispute over contract execution (lack of maintenance, damages...)

Representation before the rural lease courts

Service of notice (the use of a commissaire de justice is mandatory)