On February 18, 2026, the Constitutional Council upheld the law on the confidentiality of consultations with in-house counsel, which had been adopted by Parliament on January 14 of that year. This decision enshrines in French law a long-awaited principle that is recognized in most OECD countries.
By affirming that the reform pursues an objective of general interest—promoting corporate compliance—the Constitutional Council confirms the central role of in-house counsel in risk prevention and the development of compliance.
Below, we provide a summary analysis of this decision and its practical implications.
