A darker future is emerging for Biterrois entrepreneurs

Lors de la rentrée solennelle du tribunal de commerce de Béziers, Eric Germis a fait le bilan de l'année écoulée. J.-P A. – Midi Libre

During the solemn back-to-school hearing of the Béziers commercial court, Eric Germis, the president, took stock of the past year and gave some perspectives for 2024.

This is not common, but this Thursday, December 18, for the solemn start of the commercial court, all the officials of this institution took their place in the room ;audience to listen to the results of the year, drawn up by Éric Germis, the president of the Béziers commercial court.

"I have made a commitment to behave as a worthy and loyal magistrate to demonstrate exemplary behavior by taking the presidency of this court in accordance with the rules of ethics, insists Éric Germis. This is the only way to protect ourselves from situations of conflict of interest to which we could be exposed. This is essential so that litigants have confidence in the commercial justice delivered." President Germis assured that the entire team of the Béziers commercial court was very vigilant towards this cause.

Statistics

A solemn back-to-school hearing provides for all statistical data from last year to be given. Regarding general litigation, the volume of new cases is down 5% with 250 new cases. It is noted that the lifespan of these files is increasing, and, in fact, the stock of general litigation files increases by 23%.

"Faced with this situation, we have consulted with the Béziers bar in order to adapt our calendar of procedures to reduce the processing time of cases. To better supervise them, we have favored amicable treatment procedures."
This action was implemented in September and the first results seem encouraging. Furthermore, payment orders are increasing this year by 30% compared to 2022. This reflects the difficulties encountered by some, which portend a darker future for disputes and collective procedures. The latter, moreover, increased by 16% to finish with 314 openings during the year 2023.

The filing of accounts is obligatory, the commercial court will ensure compliance with the rules

For the immense majority; of companies that appear before the commercial court, it is already too late. Just the idea scares entrepreneurs. To speed up prevention, it is planned to raise awareness among companies as early as possible about their difficulties. Discussions with employers' organizations and the CCI revealed that prevention should be at the forefront. An information and prevention center has been set up. set up &agrav; Béziers. This is a common tool for everyone and which should encourage companies to take action. take the first step towards the commercial court. The beginning of the year must promote this CIP. He was é noticed that for many companies, the court lacks crucial information that could be used to resolve their case. highlight difficulties. The obligation to submit accounts has therefore been removed. implemented since January 1, 2024 in accordance with the law. The commercial court is working on establishing possible sanctions for those who do not comply with the law.

Numbers

"We returned to the same volume as in 2019", specifies Éric Germis. But nationally these procedures have increased by 33%. In the Biterrois district, 107 legal remedies have been opened. Which represents 34% of procedures, an increase of 94%. 176 judicial liquidations were opened. These are 56% of proceedings at the Béziers commercial court, an increase of 16% over one year.

Prevention procedure

Prevention procedures remain at too low a level. A priority of Éric Germis’s mandate. "Two numbers to remember. 75% of companies in prevention find a solution, compared to 5% in collective procedures. These figures speak for themselves regarding the means to be implemented. The period of health crisis which had slowed down the number of procedures has ended without us witnessing a wave of business failures."

I subscribe to read more