About Me

I'm a partner in our Finance & Financial Regulation, Tech & Comms and Media Groups, and lead Bird & Bird's French Fintech sub-group. I assist clients with disruptive digital technology adoption, providing legal advice and acting in regulatory litigation. I'm based out of Paris and often work in our Belgium office.

I have developed solid experience in regulatory and prudential matters (licensing or exemption procedures, freedom to provide services or freedom of establishment regime, declaration of agents, distributors or intermediaries, contractual framing, including outsourcing, implementation of internal procedures, compliance, anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing, internal control, management of conflict of interest intra group, banking secret, etc.). I also advise my clients on payment systems (EDI, Swift net, Target II and Euro 1) and the requirements of professional rules, especially PCI-DSS, PA-DSS.

With a leading position in supporting projects linked to new technologies and drawing on more than 15 years' experience, I represent both new disruptive players operating in the Fintech, RegTech and Insurtech sectors and banks, financial institutions or insurers in the development of innovative services (e-payment, electronic money, prepaid cards, mobile, banking, blockchain, crowdfunding, crowdlending, crowdequity, payment initiation services, account information services, investment platforms, robot advisory, online KYC, etc.). I also assist my clients in the implementation of their dematerialisation projects of contracts, electronic/biometric signature, strong authentication, cybersecurity, data protection, outsourcing, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

I also support my clients as they develop their presence in both Europe and Africa.

I hold a PhD from the University of Montpellier, where I was a senior lecturer in cybersecurity from 2013 to 2017. I am also a legal commentator and contributor to conferences, radio and TV.
Education

Studied

  • Doctor of Law (J.D.), PhD in Private Law - Montpellier I University – France
  • Paris Bar School (EFB)
  • Master II in Private Law - Montpellier I University - France
  • Master II in International Law - Montpellier I University - France
  • Master I in Private Law with a specific degree in Criminal Sciences - Montpellier I University – France

Admissions

  • France: Paris Bar - 2006
  • Belgium: French Brussels Bar – 2011 (E List)
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Testimonials

Cathie-Rosalie Joly is a recognised authority on payment regulations. Her wealth of experience supporting innovative technological solutions in the digital payments space, and her nuanced knowledge of the global payment markets has secured her international and African francophone clients. Quite often Joly is trusted by prestigious financial institutions to ensure their compliance with regulation, most recently with PSD2.

Chambers: FinTech legal 2019

She is quoted with the distinction 'indispensable' in the Technologies, Internet, IT & Telecommunications law rankings.

Decideurs 2017, 2018 and 2019 (in France and also in Belgium)

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