Legal aid for persons residing in France
Verified 24 January 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You must assert your rights in court but you do not have the necessary financial resources? You can apply for legal aid. The State pays all or part of your legal costs and your lawyer's fees if you meet the eligibility requirements for this aid. We present you with the information you need to know.
Please note
These rules apply only to French residents which are the subject of of a procedure in France or in a country of the European Union (except Denmark). If you reside abroad and are subject to proceedings in France or the European Union (except Denmark), other rules apply.
Procedure in France
Legal aid can be attributed to natural persons subject to conditions. Exceptionally, it may also be granted to legal persons.
Natural person
You can solicit legal aid if your financial resources are insufficient to pay the legal costs of your case.
This help is for you assigned if your legal action is declared permissible and if you meet certain admission requirements specific to your personal situation:
- You must be a French national or national European Union (except Denmark).
If you are a foreign national (outside the EU), you must habitually reside in France and have a residence permit valid. In some cases (e.g. minor, victim of domestic violence with a protection order), this condition is not required
- The legal costs should not be covered by your legal protection or by another insurance
- Your financial resources (reference tax income, heritage real estate out principal residence and movable property) must not exceed the ceilings for the acceptance of such aid.
Legal person
Exceptionally, legal aid may be granted to non-profit legal entities (e.g. associations) which do not have sufficient resources to assert their rights in court.
Please note
The joint owners' union of immovable property which is the subject of a backup plan may receive legal aid. The same applies when the condominium union must be accompanied by a temporary administrator because of its financial situation.
The amount of legal aid shall be determined on the basis of income and patrimony the person making the request.
However, the calculation of these resources is not the same for natural persons only for legal persons.
Natural person
In general, the legal aid office analyzes your financial resources (income, real estate assets out principal residence and heritage furniture) to see if the help can be given.
In some circumstances, resource conditions are not examined. This is particularly the case when the case is particularly worthy of interest (example: for some victims of domestic violence).
General case
The amount of legal aid shall not be not the same for everyone those who can benefit from it.
Based on the importance of your reference tax income and the number of people in your tax-paying household, the limits on resources and wealth that must not be exceeded are changing.
If your tax shelter is composed of several persons, the ceilings not to be exceeded shall take account of the movable property and real estate of all these people.
However, if you are seeking legal aid for a dispute between you and a member of the tax household, the examination of the wealth limit will be individualized (for example, in the case of divorce).
You're alone in your tax home
You can receive full legal aid (100%) if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable assets do not exceed the following limits:
- Benchmark Tax Income: €12,862(or 1,534,812 Pacific francs)
- Value of movable assets: €12,862(or 1,534,812 Pacific francs)
- Value of real estate assets: €38,580 (or 4,603,810 Pacific francs)
If the value of your assets exceeds one of the two heritage ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).
If your reference tax income exceeds the revenue cap, you cannot receive full legal aid.
On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. This requires that your reference tax income does not exceed the ceilings for the allocation of partial legal aid.
The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% total legal aid.
Annual reference tax income | Monthly reference tax income (Indicative) | Legal aid rate |
|---|---|---|
Less than or equal to €12,712 | Less than or equal to €1,059 | 100% |
Enter €12,713 and €15,203 | Enter €1,059 and €1,267 | 55% |
Enter €15,204 and €19,290 | Enter €1,267 and €1,608 | 25% |
If you do not have a reference tax income, the ceiling taken into account is twice your taxable income for the last 6 months, after deducting a tax deduction of 10. %
Your tax home is made up of 2 people
You can receive total legal aid if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable property assets do not exceed the following limits:
- Benchmark Tax Income: €15,177 (or 1,811,078 Pacific Francs)
- Value of movable assets: €15,177 (or 1,811,078 Pacific Francs)
- Value of real estate assets: €45,524 (or 5,432,495 Pacific Francs)
If the value of your assets exceeds one of the two heritage ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).
If your reference tax income exceeds the revenue cap, you cannot receive full legal aid.
On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. This requires that your reference tax income does not exceed the ceilings for the allocation of partial legal aid.
The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% total legal aid.
Your tax home is made up of 3 people
You can receive total legal aid if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable property assets do not exceed the following limits:
- Benchmark Tax Income: €17,492 (or 2,087,344 Pacific Franc)
- Value of movable assets: €17,492 (or 2,087,344 Pacific Franc)
- Value of real estate assets: €52,469 (or 6,261,181 Pacific Franc)
If the value of your assets exceeds one of the two heritage ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).
If your reference tax income exceeds the revenue cap, you cannot receive full legal aid.
On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. This requires that your reference tax income does not exceed the ceilings for the allocation of partial legal aid.
The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% total legal aid.
Annual Resources | Monthly Resources (Indicative) | Support |
|---|---|---|
Less than or equal to €17,492 | Less than or equal to €1,458 | 100% |
Enter €17,493 and €19,833 | Enter €1,458 and €1,653 | 55% |
Enter €19,834 and €23,920 | Enter €1,653 and €1,993 | 25% |
If you do not have a reference tax income, the ceiling taken into account is twice your taxable income for the last 6 months, after deducting a tax deduction of 10% .
Your tax home is made up of 4 people
You can receive total legal aid if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable property assets do not exceed the following limits:
- Benchmark Tax Income: €18,954 (or 2,261,852 Pacific Francs)
- Value of movable assets: €18,954 (or 2,261,852 Pacific Francs)
- Value of real estate assets: €56,855 (or 6,784,634 Pacific Francs)
If the value of your assets exceeds one of the two heritage ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).
If your reference tax income exceeds the revenue cap, you cannot receive full legal aid.
On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. This requires that your reference tax income does not exceed the ceilings for the allocation of partial legal aid.
The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% total legal aid.
Maximum annual resources | Maximum monthly resources (Indicative) | Support |
|---|---|---|
Less than or equal to €18,954 | Less than or equal to €1,580 | 100% |
Enter €18,955 and €21,296 | Enter €1,580 and €1,775 | 55% |
Enter €21,297 and €25,383 | Enter €1,775 and €2,115 | 25% |
If you do not have a reference tax income, the ceiling taken into account is twice your taxable income for the last 6 months, after deducting a tax deduction of 10%.
Your tax home is made up of 5 people
You can receive total legal aid if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable property assets do not exceed the following limits:
- Benchmark Tax Income: €20,417 (or 2,436,360 Pacific Franc)
- Value of movable assets: €20,417 (or 2,436,360 Pacific Franc)
- Value of real estate assets: €61,242 (or 7,308,087 Pacific Franc)
If the value of your assets exceeds one of the two heritage ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).
If your reference tax income exceeds the revenue cap, you cannot receive full legal aid.
On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. This requires that your reference tax income does not exceed the ceilings for the allocation of partial legal aid.
The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% total legal aid.
Maximum annual resources | Maximum monthly resources (Indicative) | Support |
|---|---|---|
Less than or equal to €20,417 | Less than or equal to €1,701 | 100% |
Enter €20,418 and €22,758 | Enter €1,701 and €1,897 | 55% |
Enter €22,759 and €26,845 | Enter €1,897 and €2,237 | 25% |
If you do not have a reference tax income, the ceiling taken into account is twice your taxable income for the last 6 months, after deducting a tax deduction of 10%.
Your tax home is made up of 6 people
You can receive total legal aid if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable property assets do not exceed the following limits:
- Benchmark Tax Income: €21,879 (or 2,610,868 Pacific Franc)
- Value of movable assets: €21,879 (or 2,610,868 Pacific Franc)
- Value of real estate assets: €65,628 (or 7,831,540 Pacific Franc)
If the value of your assets exceeds one of the two heritage ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).
If your reference tax income exceeds the revenue cap, you cannot receive full legal aid.
On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. This requires that your reference tax income does not exceed the ceilings for the allocation of partial legal aid.
The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% total legal aid.
Maximum annual resources | Maximum monthly resources | Support |
|---|---|---|
Less than or equal to €21,879 | Less than or equal to €1,823 | 100% |
Enter €21,880 and €24,221 | Enter €1,823 and €2,018 | 55% |
Enter €24,222 and €28,307 | Enter €2,018 and €2,359 | 25% |
If you do not have a reference tax income, the ceiling taken into account is twice your taxable income for the last 6 months, after deducting a tax deduction of 10%.
Your tax home is made up of 7 people
You can receive total legal aid if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable property assets do not exceed the following limits:
- Benchmark Tax Income: €23,341 (or 2,785,376 Pacific Franc)
- Value of movable assets: €23,341 (or 2,785,376 Pacific Franc)
- Value of real estate assets: €70,015 (or 8,354,994 Pacific Franc)
If the value of your assets exceeds one of the two heritage ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).
If your reference tax income exceeds the revenue cap, you cannot receive full legal aid.
On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. This requires that your reference tax income does not exceed the ceilings for the allocation of partial legal aid.
The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% total legal aid.
Annual reference tax income | Monthly reference tax income (Indicative) | Support |
|---|---|---|
Less than or equal to €23,341 | Less than or equal to €1,945 | 100% |
Enter €23,342 and €25,683 | Enter €1,945 and €2,140 | 55% |
Enter €25,684 and €29,770 | Enter €2,140 and €2,481 | 25% |
If you do not have a reference tax income, the ceiling taken into account is twice your taxable income for the last 6 months, after deducting a tax deduction of 10%.
Minor
If you are a minor and you are seeking legal aid, the BAJ: titleContent verify that your parents meet the eligibility requirements for this help.
If it's an emergency situation, you can get legal aid on an interim basis. Subsequently, the financial resources (income, real estate and furniture) of your legal representatives will be evaluated.
However, in some cases, the BAJ: titleContent don't look at your parents' resource conditions.
Minor heard in proceedings concerning him
You can be assisted by a lawyer and receive legal aid even if your parents do not meet the conditions for legal aid.
For example, this possibility is open to minors interviewed by the family judge in the event of separation of parents.
Isolated minor
If you have no parental support (e.g. your parents live abroad) you can receive legal aid without having to demonstrate that you meet the conditions for admission to legal aid.
Please note
If you are a foreign national, you can obtain legal aid even if you do not usually reside in France.
Juvenile victim of crime
If you are a victim of a crime that affects your life or your physical integrity (example: attempted murder, rape, violence with the use of a weapon), legal aid is given to you without your financial resources (income, real estate or movable property) are subject to review.
In case of domestic violence
As a victim of domestic violence, you can request a protection order. In this case, you can benefit from legal aid on an interim basis.
In order to obtain legal aid definitively, you have to justify your financial resources (income, property wealth, savings).
If they exceed the amount of the ceilings for legal aid, you will be obliged to pay or repay the sums which you have been exempted from or which have been paid by the State unless the judge considers that your case is particularly worthy of interest.
Please note
The violent spouse may also obtain legal aid on an interim basis.
Proceedings before the National Court of Justice
If your case is in front of the National Court of Asylum (CNDA), you can receive legal aid without having to fulfill the conditions for the admission of such aid.
Criminal proceedings
If you are a victim of a crime that affects your life or your physical integrity (example: attempted murder, rape, violence with the use of a weapon), legal aid is given to you without your financial resources (income, real estate or movable property) are subject to review.
If you are a entitled of the victim, you can benefit from legal aid under the same conditions.
Please note
By way of exception, persons present in criminal proceedings (assisted witness, convicted, civil party, etc.) may receive legal aid even if they are habitually resident abroad.
Legal person
The legal aid office shall verify that the resources received during the last calendar year, after deduction of administrative expenditure (e.g. the management costs of the association), are below the legal aid ceilings.
Costs covered by legal aid includes 2 types of expenses :
- Those relating to proceedings before a court (e.g. lawyers' fees, costs of service by the Commissioner of Justice). This is called legal aid in the strict sense
- Those relating to the intervention of counsel for non-judicial proceedings. This is called assistance with the intervention of the lawyer.
Expenditure covered by legal aid in the strict sense
Legal aid shall cover all costs incurred in legal proceedings. These are:
- Remuneration of court clerks (lawyer's fees, notary fees, Commissioner of Justice, etc.)
- Costs associated with bringing legal proceedings (e.g. the beneficiary may be exempted from paying the amount associated with bringing an appeal procedure)
- Costs related to the conduct of the procedure (e.g.expertise)
- Costs associated with the enforcement of the court decision (e.g. significance of a court decision).
In criminal matters, certain legal costs (fixed procedural right, fees of an expert, Commissioner of Justice, etc.) are not covered by legal aid.
In any case, this aid does not cover the right to plead.
FYI
You are not exempt from paying the costs to which you are sentenced by a court order (e.g. damages or fines),
The level of support varies depending on whether legal aid is granted in full (100%) or partial.
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If you are fully supported
All legal costs covered by legal aid are paid by the State.
Amounts committed before the application for legal aid are not reimbursed (e.g. amounts paid to the lawyer for consultation before the application for legal aid).
FYI
If you are a beneficiary of legal aid, the legal professional accompanying you receives the aid amount. It's never paid directly to you.
If you receive partial assistance
Depending on your financial resources, the state only takes care of 55% or 25% the total amount of legal aid.
You must therefore pay part of your lawyer's fees and the costs of the proceedings.
This amount is provided for in a fee agreement that you sign prior to any intervention by counsel in your case.
FYI
If you are a beneficiary of legal aid, the legal professional accompanying you receives the aid amount. It's never paid directly to you.
Lawyer's expenses covered in non-judicial proceedings
Lawyer assistance is only used to pay your lawyer's fees, including when you are engaged in one of the following procedures:
- Mediation ordered by the judge
- Criminal, tax or customs investigation (e.g. hearing, reconstitution)
- Procedure for executing a European arrest warrant
- Deprivation of liberty in criminal, tax or customs investigations (example: police custody or detention of a minor)
- Detention of a foreigner for verification of his right of movement or residence
- Disciplinary proceedings of a detained person in a prison
- Disciplinary proceedings of a person detained in a social-medical-judicial security center.
The level of support varies according to whether the aid for legal assistance granted is total or partial.
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If you are fully supported
The lawyer's fees incurred for a non-judicial proceedings are fully regulated by the State.
Amounts paid before the application for legal aid are not reimbursed (e.g. amounts paid to the lawyer for consultation before the application for legal aid).
If you receive partial assistance
The State pays part of the fees according to the rate of the partial aid granted to you.
You must pay yourself the part of the fees that is not covered by the lawyer's assistance.
This amount is provided for in a fee agreement that you sign prior to any intervention by counsel in your case.
As a beneficiary of legal aid, you can freely choose your lawyer and any law clerk (example: notary, Commissioner of Justice) who will assist you in the course of your business.
This choice may be made at the start of the procedure, and even before that the BAJ: titleContent has issued a decision granting you legal aid.
The lawyer is free to accept or refuse to assist you.
If you have not chosen your lawyer or if he has refused to take your case, another lawyer may be appointed by the bastler of the Bar Association to which you belong.
In addition, in the context of certain procedures (example: the correctional court, the court of assises or for an educational assistance measure), you can benefit from a court-appointed lawyer.
Method for requesting legal aid
How you apply for legal aid depends on the jurisdiction in which your case is located.
FYI
Your request for legal aid can be made before or during the procedure.
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Judicial Tribunal, Labor Court or Court of Appeal
You can make the request directly on the internet or by using a cerfa form.
On the Internet
With the form
You must complete, download and print the following form:
The authority to which you must forward your application depends on the time at which you seek legal aid.
Application for legal aid before bringing a case before a court
You must send your application with supporting documents to the legal aid office of the court of your domicile.
You can also deposit the form and the supporting documents at the single reception service of the litigant of the court of your domicile.
Who shall I contact
Application for legal aid once the court has been seised
You must send your application, accompanied by the necessary supporting documents, to the legal aid office of the court in the place where the case is being dealt with.
You can also submit your application accompanied by the required supporting documents to the single reception service of the litigant in the court of the place where the case is being dealt with.
Who shall I contact
Administrative Court of Appeal
You must complete, download and print the following form:
Once completed, your application must be sent to the legal aid office of the administrative court of appeal on which you are dependent, along with the required supporting documents.
Court of Cassation
You can apply for legal aid online or by using a Cerfa form.
Online
You can apply from the website of the Court of Cassation.
With the form
You must complete, download and print the following form:
Once completed, your application accompanied by the required supporting documents must be sent to the legal aid office of the Court of Cassation.
Who shall I contact
Council of State
You must complete, download and print the following form:
Once completed, your application accompanied by the required supporting documents must be sent to the legal aid office of the Council of State.
Who shall I contact
National Court of Asylum
You must complete, download and print the following form:
Once completed, your application accompanied by the required supporting documents must be forwarded to the legal aid office of the National Court of Asylum.
Who shall I contact
Documents to be attached to the application
Depending on your personal situation and the case for which you are seeking legal aid, the documents to be attached to your application differ.
Personal information | Documents to be provided |
Your home |
|
Your children |
|
Your identity |
|
Your insurance |
Income and wealth | Documents to be provided |
In any case | Most recent tax notice |
If you don't have a tax notice | Proof of taxable income for the last 6 months (example: statement France Travail) |
If your family situation has changed since your last tax return | Any proof of your change of situation (example: marriage certificate) |
If your resources have changed since your last tax return | Proof of taxable income for the last 6 months (example: statement France Travail) |
If you own one or more properties (excluding the main residence) | Justification specifying the value of your property(s) |
If you have saving | Justification specifying the amount of your savings |
Case in respect of which legal aid is requested | Documents to be provided |
If you are called to a hearing | Summons to the hearing or any equivalent document |
If you are a victim of a crime of extreme gravity (murder, rape, terrorism, etc.) | Any document proving this situation |
If you appeal to the National Court of Asylum | Any document proving this situation |
If your case goes to an appellate court and you have not received legal aid in first instance | A copy of the court's decision with evidence of its notification |
If you received legal aid at first instance and you wish to continue to have it before the Court of Appeal | Copy of the previous decision to grant legal aid |
If you have already chosen a law clerk (e.g. lawyer) to intervene in your case | A letter of acceptance |
If you have already paid money to the law clerk you have chosen | Any document proving payment of the sums paid |
Examination of the application for legal aid
Your application for legal aid is processed by the legal aid office as soon as your file is complete.
If some supporting documents are missing, the BAJ: titleContent contact you by post to ask you to provide additional documents.
In this case, you must provide these supporting documents within one month of receipt of the letter.
Once you have submitted all the necessary documents, the BAJ: titleContent check that you meet the conditions for legal aid.
He can ask the public services (example: CAF: titleContent) to ensure the authenticity of the documents provided in support of the application. He can also audition you.
Once it has all the necessary information, the legal aid office analyzes it and makes its decision.
Decision of the Legal Aid Office
The legal aid office shall notify you of its decision as soon as possible.
He can accept or refuse your request.
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Agreement
Depending on your resources, the legal aid office may grant you:
- Total legal aid. It is the maximum amount that can be granted, which is a rate of 100%.
- Partial legal aid which corresponds to 55% or 25% the maximum amount that may be granted.
FYI
In case of emergency (example: for a request forprotection order), on BAJ: titleContent may grant you legal aid before analyzing your application. However, you do receive this assistance provisionally.
If, in the end, you do not meet the conditions for legal aid, you are obliged to reimburse the costs that you have been exempted from or that the State has paid you.
In the event of admission to legal aid total, the decision of BAJ: titleContent is sent to you by simple letter.
If he gives you legal aid partial, the decision is yours notified by any means of attesting to the date of receipt (e.g. by e-mail with acknowledgement of receipt). The BAJ: titleContent tells you the means by which you can appeal.
Refusal
The BAJ: titleContent may reject your application for legal aid if you are in one of the following situations:
- Your financial resources (revenues, patrimony furniture out of main residence or real estate) are above the legal aid admission ceilingsLegal aid ceilings for 2024
- Your legal action is inadmissible
- You have made several requests repeatedly or systematically (for example, you make numerous requests for legal aid for the same case, which creates an overload of work)
- You benefit from a legal protection or other insurance that already covers the costs of the trial
- You did not provide the supporting documents for this assistance (e.g. documents justifying your nationality, your financial situation).
If your application is rejected, the legal aid office will send you its decision by any means that can be used to certify the date of receipt (e.g. by e-mail with acknowledgement of receipt).
The BAJ: titleContent tells you the means by which you can appeal.
Please note
The legal aid office may also issue a lapse order if you have not completed your application within the time limit given to you by the applicant.
This decision cannot be the subject of an appeal.
If your application for legal aid has been rejected, you can appeal against this decision.
The same applies if the BAJ: titleContent only granted you partial legal aid.
To challenge the decision of the BAJ: titleContent, you have the possibility to request the assistance of a lawyer. This professional will help you understand the reasons for the refusal and write your appeal. He can also drop it off for you.
Time limits for filing an appeal
The time limits for filing an appeal depend on the court before which your case is taking place.
General case
The time limit for lodging your appeal is 15 days from notification of the decision of the BAJ: titleContent.
This is particularly true when your case is before a court of law, an appeal court, an administrative court of appeal, the Court of Cassation or the Council of State.
In front of the CNDA
When your case takes place before the National Court of Asylum, your appeal must be submitted within 8 days from notification of the decision of the BAJ: titleContent.
Means of forwarding the appeal
The appeal must be addressed to the legal aid office that issued the decision you disapprove.
You must obligatory state the reasons why you wish to seek redress.
Your return must include a copy of the decision you're challenging.
The means of transmission of your appeal depend on the court before which your case is taking place.
General case
Your appeal must be submitted in person to the BAJ: titleContent or be sent by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
After receiving it, BAJ: titleContent forward your appeal to the competent authority for review.
Please note
If your lawyer has filed your appeal, the BAJ: titleContent confirms that the deposit has taken place.
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
Competence of the National Court of Justice
Your appeal may be submitted to the BAJ: titleContent of the National Court of Asylum :
- In your own hand
- By registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt
- By fax.
After receiving it, BAJ: titleContent forward your appeal to the competent authority for review.
Please note
If your lawyer has filed your appeal, the BAJ: titleContent confirms that the deposit has taken place.
Who shall I contact
Competence of the CAA and the Council of State
When your case takes place before a administrative court of appeal or before the Council of State, you may remit your appeal to the BAJ: titleContent :
- By registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt
- Through the service Remedy.
After receiving it, BAJ: titleContent forward your appeal to the competent authority for review.
Warning
Your lawyer can file the appeal for you. In this case, he must obligatory use Remediation.
The BAJ: titleContent confirms that the deposit has taken place.
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
Examination of the appeal
Your appeal is reviewed to determine whether the decision of the legal aid office is well founded.
The authority competent to hear your appeal depends on the court before which the case in respect of which you have applied for legal aid is taking place.
Jurisdiction | Authority responsible for examining the appeal |
|---|---|
General case | 1er president of the court of appeal on which the court responsible for the case or the court of appeal responsible for the case depends |
National Court of Asylum (CNDA) | President of the National Court of Asylum |
Administrative Tribunal | President of the Administrative Court of Appeal on which the Court of First Instance depends |
Administrative Court of Appeal | President of the Administrative Court of Appeal in charge of the case |
Council of State | President of the Litigation Section of the Council of State |
Court of Cassation | 1er president of the court of cassation |
Once your appeal has been examined, the President of the Court may:
- Confirm the decision of the Legal Aid Office
- Annul the decision of the Legal Aid Office
- Change the amount of legal aid you will receive.
The new decision will be sent to you by any device that allows you to certify its date of receipt (e.g. by email).
In some cases, it can be notified by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
This decision cannot be the subject of a new appeal.
Procedure in an EU country
As a natural person, you can receive legal aid for a cross-border dispute which takes place in a country of the European Union, except in Denmark. For example, you can apply for legal aid if you usually reside in France and the proceedings take place in Spain.
3 conditions must be completed in order to obtain this assistance:
- Your request must be for a civil dispute or salesman
- Your financial resources must be insufficient to pay the legal costs associated with your case
- Legal costs should not be covered by insurance or by your employer.
Your economic situation is assessed by the competent authority of the country in which the procedure takes place.
This examination is done on the basis of criteria related to your income, your financial savings and your family situation.
If the competent authority considers that your resources exceed the limits for legal aid, you must demonstrate that your financial situation does not allow you to meet the costs of your case.
For example, you can prove that there is a difference in the cost of living between France and the country in which the procedure will take place.
Establishment of the legal aid file
You can apply online or by using a paper form.
You will have access to the online process and/or the document to be completed from the following page:
Application for legal aid in the European Union
The supporting documents to be attached to your application depend on the country in which the procedure takes place.
However, in all cases, you must provide documents attesting to your personal situation (e.g. last tax notice, bank account statements, family record book).
Sending the application for legal aid
You can send your application directly to the competent authority in the Member State where your case is to be heard.
You can find the contact details of this authority from the following online service:
Find the foreign legal aid authority
If you wish, you can send your request to the legal aid office of the French Ministry of Justice.
Then, the BAJ: titleContent forward your request to the competent authority of the country in which the procedure takes place.
Who shall I contact
Your application for legal aid shall be processed in accordance with the rules laid down by the competent authority for examining your case.
That authority may:
- Give you full legal aid
- Providing you with partial legal aid
- Refuse your application for legal aid.
You are informed of the reasons for the total or partial rejection of legal aid.
Legal aid shall cover all the costs incurred by the cross-border dispute, including:
- Fees of the lawyer and remuneration of other court officials (example: notary) intervening in the case
- Interpreter and translation costs of the application and supporting documents you have provided
- Travel expenses for persons who are required to attend the hearing
- Postage charges in the case of exchanges by post
- Witness allowances.
If you receive full legal aid, all these costs are fully covered. If you have partial legal aid, you are still responsible for certain costs.
The expenses you are exempt from because of legal aid depend on the country in which the procedure takes place, your income, your financial savings and the composition of your tax shelter.
Please note
Even if you have legal aid, you can choose your lawyer.
You can appeal against the decision to refuse legal aid.
The appeal procedure varies according to the country which took the decision.
The notification the refusal decision must indicate how you can exercise the right of appeal.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
To get a lawyer for legal aid
LawyerFor information on legal aid in cross-border disputes
Ministry of Justice - Office of Legal Aid
Persons eligible for legal aid (Articles 2 to 9-4)
Eligibility conditions (Articles 2 to 11)
Legal aid for cross-border disputes
FAQ
Ministry of Justice