The case originated from an inspection carried out by the notarial profession’s supervisory body of a notairial office in the Val de Loire region. Inspectors identified several “suspicious operations” and recommended reinforced oversight.
Following a criminal investigation initiated at the request of the public prosecutor, investigators discovered repeated and unjustified use of discretionary fees (honoraires libres) — charges that are permitted only for services not already covered by the regulated notarial fees.
