Associés

Associés are the members or partners who own a stake in a French company. The term is used in civil-law forms of business and denotes those who contribute capital and participate in governance. In many contexts, associés are distinguished from actionnaires (shareholders), with associés being the common designation in limited liability structures such as SARL (société à responsabilité limitée) or SNC (société en nom collectif). In SA (société anonyme), the typical term for owners is actionnaires, though associés may still be used in internal references.

Rights and obligations of associés vary by corporate form but generally include a right to a share of profits and a voice in major decisions, as defined by statutes or agreements. Liability is typically limited to the contributed capital in limited liability forms like SARL and SAS (société par actions simplifiée), while in certain partnerships such as SNC some or all associés may have joint and unlimited liability for company debts. Associates also bear duties to respect the company’s statutes, contribute capital as agreed, and comply with confidentiality or non-compete provisions where stipulated.

Transfer and entry of new associés are commonly regulated to maintain control over the ownership structure. Restrictions such as the agrément (consent of existing associates) or pre-emptive rights are frequently included in the statutes to govern who may become an associé and under what conditions.

Forms and examples: In a SARL, associés hold parts sociales and governance can be structured with a manager or collectively by the associés. In a SAS, the statutes define governance and the transfer of parts or actions, offering flexibility in how control is organized. In a SNC, associés often participate in management and may have broader liability implications. The exact rights and procedures depend on the form and the company's statutes.