Protecting: information first

For the OETC, protecting members means informing them first: explaining the rights provided by the law and the statutes, documenting how the governance of cooperatives works on the basis of public sources, and bringing these questions before the institutions.

The OETC does not provide legal advice, does not assess individual situations and does not put anyone in contact with lawyers or other professionals. At this stage, the OETC does not handle individual requests for help: please do not send us documents or details about your personal situation.

Where to start

• Members' rights: principles, practices and grey areas in European cooperatives.
• Guide to your rights: warning signs and five practical principles.
• Our approach: how we work.

Where to find legal information

• In France, you can obtain free legal information from a point-justice (3039, free number from France; +33 9 70 82 31 90 from abroad): see justice.fr.
• In Italy, the "sportello per il cittadino" set up at each bar council provides free information and guidance (law 247/2012, art. 30).
• In other countries, you can contact the public legal-information services or the bar association.