Avocachet

Digital stamping is a software tool that automatically applies a standardised label to a PDF document. It replaces the traditional ink stamp by adding exhibit numbers, dates or firm names directly to the file. According to the French National Bar Council (CNB), over 70,000 lawyers practise in France. The majority now files exhibits electronically via RPVA or e-Barreau. Article 5.5 of the French RIN (National Internal Rules for lawyers) mandates that exhibits be numbered, bear the lawyer's stamp and be accompanied by a dated and signed schedule. The digital stamp is a tool that automates this mandatory numbering. Unlike electronic signatures governed by the eIDAS regulation, the digital stamp serves an organisational function. It identifies, classifies and protects documents without certification value. The stamped file remains a native, searchable and lightweight PDF. It is compatible with every French court electronic filing system.

Digital stamping fully complies with the French Code of Civil Procedure. Article 132 of the CPC requires that exhibits be spontaneously communicated to all parties. Article 5.5 of the RIN specifies that these exhibits must be numbered and accompanied by a dated and signed schedule. The National Bar Council (CNB) recommends the format "Exhibit No. X – Description.pdf" for electronically filed documents. Since Decree No. 2023-1391 of 29 December 2023, mandatory electronic filing has been extended to new jurisdictions. Commercial courts, labour tribunals and courts of appeal now require digital filing. Digital stamping automates this compliance. It applies the required sequential numbering without manual intervention. Output files respect the PDF format required by e-Barreau. A properly numbered dossier streamlines hearings and reduces the risk of exhibits being declared inadmissible.

Avocachet does not store any files on its servers. Document processing takes place entirely in the user's browser. This local approach guarantees that your exhibits never leave your computer. Attorney-client privilege, protected by Article 66-5 of the French law of 31 December 1971, requires absolute confidentiality of client documents. According to the CNIL, the majority of data breaches stem from transfers to uncontrolled third-party servers. By processing files locally, Avocachet eliminates this risk vector. No personal data is collected during processing. No temporary file is created on a remote server. The stamped PDF is generated in the browser and downloaded directly to your workstation. This architecture respects the data minimisation principle required by the GDPR.

Automated stamping reduces exhibit schedule preparation time by 90%. Manually numbering 100 exhibits with a standard PDF editor takes roughly 60 minutes. With a batch stamping tool, the same operation finishes in under 60 seconds. For a firm processing 5 schedules per week, the annual saving exceeds 200 hours of work. At an average hourly rate of €150 for an associate, that represents a saving of €30,000 per year. The freed time is reinvested in high-value legal work: case analysis, drafting submissions and client relationships. Automated numbering also eliminates sequencing errors. A single numbering offset forces the entire schedule to be redone. Automation removes this risk and makes exhibit communication more reliable.

The Avocachet digital stamp produces native PDF files compatible with e-Barreau, RPVA and Telerecours. The e-Barreau platform, managed by the National Bar Council (CNB), imposes precise technical constraints. Each file must weigh less than 4 MB. The total submission must not exceed 20 MB. Only the PDF format is accepted. Avocachet respects these constraints at every processing step. Stamped files keep their native PDF format with no intermediate conversion. The stamp adds less than 50 KB to the original file weight. The built-in compression tool can reduce bulky scans by up to 80%. The naming format follows the CNB-recommended convention: "Exhibit No. X – Description.pdf". Files are exported in a ZIP ready to upload to the court portal.

Batch stamping is a feature that numbers dozens of exhibits in a single operation. The lawyer drops files into the drag-and-drop zone in PDF, Word or image format. Non-PDF formats are automatically converted before processing. The file order in the list determines the sequential numbering. The lawyer can reorder the list by drag-and-drop. If an exhibit is added or moved, the numbering recalculates instantly. The stamp is configurable: "Exhibit No.", "Annex" or simple numbering. Page position, text size and opacity are adjustable. In team mode, the firm administrator pre-configures the stamp to guarantee uniformity. Processing generates a ZIP file containing all stamped and renamed PDFs following the CNB convention. A 50-exhibit schedule is ready in under 30 seconds.