Senate to Examine ‘Casseurs-Payeurs’ Bill on October 27

Overview

• The government announced on Monday, October 5 that the Sénat will begin first‑reading debate on the bill on 27 October, accelerating a text first presented in mid‑September in Conseil des ministres.
• Article 1 would create a form of solidary civil liability that lets victims seek repair from any person who knowingly took part in a violent group action, with individual liability capped at €10,000.
• After indemnifying victims, the State could exercise recourse against authors and persons declared solidarily responsible and, under conditions and safeguards, recover sums by seizing certain family benefits and housing aid.
• The text changes procedure to make victim compensation easier by allowing late constitution as a civil party at hearings and by permitting transactions or replacement of debt with restorative obligations, including for minors with parental consent.
• Opponents and some jurists warn the measure risks reversing the presumption of innocence, may face constitutional challenges, and could disproportionately hit precarious families while past recourse efforts stalled because of identification and administrative hurdles.