The Cour de Cassation recently confirmed that judges have no obligation, but only a discretionary power, to declare invalid a general meeting irregularly convened. The discretionary nature of the power allows them to put a company's interests above strict observance of formalities, particularly in circumstances where an irregular notice does not affect the results of the vote.
Source: Commercial division of the Cour de Cassation (Supreme Court), 9th July, 2002, arrêt n° 1421 FS-P, Maison de retraite Les Cèdres c/ Jatteaux, with comments on dalloz online and Jolynews n°172. Lovells email: arnaud.latscha@lovells.com