Is an estate agent still entitled to his commission if the vendor deals directly with a buyer introduced by the estate agent after the agent's contract has expired?

A decision by the 1st Civil Chamber of the Court of Cassation dated 14 November 2000 considered that where an estate agent contracted to sell a property introduces a person to the property for sale, and where the vendor subsequently deals directly with that person, the transaction is deemed to have effectively been concluded through the estate agent in question.

Indeed, case law considers that the estate agent has a right to his commission even where the transaction was made 19 months after the signature of the "bon de visite" (visit certificate) and at a lower price than that stated in the estate agent's contract.

The "bon de visite" (visit certificate) is proof that the estate agent has been contracted, justifying his involvement.