E-merchants and marketplaces
Lawyer for e-merchants and marketplaces
Legal support for e-merchants, marketplaces and dropshippers: compliance, GTC, GDPR, right of withdrawal, DGCCRF inspections and dispute management.
Context
Online commerce, a sector under close regulatory scrutiny
E-commerce players operate within a dense and actively monitored legal framework. Online stores, marketplaces, dropshipping, the sale of training courses: each model must contend with consumer law, the GDPR, information obligations and the specific rules governing distance selling. The DGCCRF and the CNIL actively monitor this sector.
I assist online merchants in bringing their business into compliance, securing their relationships with customers and suppliers, and managing disputes, so that they can grow on solid and credible foundations.
The Challenge
Compliance that is often improvised
Many merchants start out with copied GTC, incomplete legal notices and a haphazard approach to the right of withdrawal, cookies and customer data. These shortcomings go unnoticed as long as no dispute or inspection arises.
But the sector is actively monitored. A DGCCRF inspection, a customer complaint or a report to the CNIL can expose these weaknesses and lead to penalties, an extension of the withdrawal period and reputational harm. Models such as dropshipping and marketplaces add specific rules that are often poorly mastered, exposing the merchant to unexpected liability.
Solutions
An online business that is compliant, credible and secure
I assist e-commerce players with all their legal challenges, from launch to day-to-day management.
I begin by auditing the compliance of your website and your documents, then I draft your GTC, terms of use, legal notices and privacy policy on a bespoke basis, tailored to your specific model, whether online store, marketplace or dropshipping. I secure your relationships with your suppliers and platforms.
I support you over the long term: regulatory monitoring, management of customer disputes and assistance in the event of a DGCCRF or CNIL inspection. My goal is to turn your compliance into an asset of credibility and trust, rather than a mere constraint.
Compliance audit of your e-commerce website
I carry out a comprehensive compliance audit of your online store: legal notices, general terms and conditions of sale, ordering process, pre-contractual information, right of withdrawal, cookie management and GDPR compliance. This assessment precisely identifies breaches of consumer law and the risks of DGCCRF or CNIL penalties to be corrected as a priority, before an inspection or a dispute brings them to light.
Drafting of your GTC and contractual documents
I draft your GTC, terms of use, legal notices and privacy policy on a bespoke basis, tailored to your specific model: online store, marketplace or dropshipping. Each document complies with e-commerce regulations while protecting your interests against customer disputes: governing returns, unpaid invoices, statutory warranties and delivery conditions.
Securing your relationships with suppliers and platforms
I secure your contractual relationships with your suppliers, platforms and service providers, and I clarify the allocation of liability between the parties. This prevents you from incurring liability in place of a third party, a particularly sensitive issue for dropshipping and marketplace models where the identity of the actual seller and the conformity of the products are at stake.
Management of disputes and DGCCRF inspections
I support you over the long term: regulatory monitoring, updating of your documents as developments occur, management of customer disputes and full assistance in the event of a DGCCRF or CNIL inspection. Your compliance stays up to date as your business grows, and you approach any inspection with solid documentation rather than in a rush.
Initial answers to your questions
What are the legal obligations of an e-commerce website?
An online store must display complete legal notices, compliant GTC, clear pre-contractual information, the right of withdrawal, the statutory warranties and a GDPR privacy policy. Transparency of prices and delivery conditions is mandatory. Failure to comply with these rules exposes the merchant to DGCCRF penalties and customer disputes.
Is dropshipping legal and how can it be secured?
Dropshipping is legal, but it requires particular vigilance: transparent information to the customer, compliance with the announced delivery times, conformity of the products, and clarity as to the identity of the seller. Misleading commercial practices are particularly closely monitored in this model. Clear contractual structuring with suppliers and fair information to the customer are essential to avoid incurring your liability.
How can a marketplace's liability be managed?
A marketplace connects sellers and buyers, which raises the question of how liability is shared. The terms of use must clearly define the platform's role, the sellers' obligations, the management of disputes and payments, and the information provided to buyers. Precise structuring protects the platform against liability that it should not have to assume in place of the sellers.
What should you do in the event of a DGCCRF inspection?
An inspection generally focuses on the compliance of the GTC, pre-contractual information, prices, the right of withdrawal and commercial practices. A store whose documentation is up to date approaches the inspection with peace of mind. I assist you in preparing, responding to requests and, where applicable, contesting the alleged breaches. Anticipating compliance upstream remains the best protection.
Still have questions?
Our team is here to help!
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Need to secure a contract, ensure compliance, or anticipate a dispute? The first meeting is to understand your needs and clearly explain how we can help you.
Digital and Distribution Law Attorney, Paris Bar. We secure your contracts, data, and business.
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