Legal aid for persons residing abroad
Verified 24 January 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You are a French national (or European national) and reside abroad or in the European Union. Do your financial resources not allow you to assert your rights in court? Whether the proceedings take place in France or in a Member State of theEUEU : European UnionHowever, you can apply for legal aid. If you meet the eligibility requirements for this aid, the State shall bear all or part of the costs of legal proceedings and legal fees. We present you with the information you need to know.
Please note
For residents in France, other rules apply.
Residence 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.
3 conditions must be met to obtain this aid:
- 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. If you have insurance, you must demonstrate that it does not cover your legal costs by providing a certificate of non-assumption by the insurer.
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 is of the opinion that your resources exceed the limits for legal aid, you must prove that your financial situation does not allow you to meet the costs of your case. For example, you can demonstrate that there is a difference in the cost of living between the state in which you live and the state in which the procedure takes 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:
Application for legal aid in the European Union
The supporting documents which to attach to your request depends on the country in which the procedure is taking 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 are a French national, you have the possibility to send your application to the legal aid office of the French Ministry of Justice.
Then, the BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office 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.
If you are French, wherever you are expatriate, the consulate or embassy should send you a list of French-speaking lawyers in your country, if you need them.
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.
Residence outside the EU or in Denmark
You can apply for legal aid if your procedure takes place in France.
This assistance is granted to you if you meet certain conditions specific to your personal situation.
In general, the legal aid office analyzes your financial resources (income, real estate assets out principal residence and movable property) to see if the help can be given.
However, in certain circumstances, the conditions of resources are not examined. This is particularly the case when the case is particularly worthy of interest (example: for some cases of violence family members).
General case
To obtain legal aid, you must complete the 3 conditions following:
- You must be a French national or European national (except Denmark).
- The legal costs should not be covered by your legal protection or by any other 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.
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%.
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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 BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office 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 BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office don't look at your parents' resource conditions.
Minor heard in proceedings concerning him
You can be assisted by a lawyer and benefit from legal aid even if your parents' financial resources exceed the limits for legal aid.
Isolated minor
If you have no parental support (e.g. you live in a country other than your parents) you can receive legal aid without having to demonstrate that your (or your parents') resources are insufficient to receive it.
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.
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Minor heard in proceedings concerning him
You can be assisted by a lawyer and benefit from legal aid even if your parents' financial resources exceed the limits for legal aid.
Isolated minor
If you have no parental support (e.g. you live in a country other than your parents) you can receive legal aid without having to demonstrate that your (or your parents') resources are insufficient to receive it.
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 must provide proof of your financial resources (income, property, saving).
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.
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.
The costs covered by legal aid include 2 types of expenditure:
- 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 stricto sensu
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 money is transferred to the legal professional who intervenes in your case. It is never directly paid 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.
FYI
If you are a beneficiary of legal aid, the money is transferred to the legal professional who intervenes in your case. It is never directly paid to you.
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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 money is transferred to the legal professional who intervenes in your case. It is never directly paid 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.
FYI
If you are a beneficiary of legal aid, the money is transferred to the legal professional who intervenes in your case. It is never directly paid 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. You can sign a fee agreement with the lawyer at the outset to know what you will have to pay.
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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. You can sign a fee agreement with the lawyer at the outset to know what you will have to pay.
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 BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office 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.
Wherever you are an expatriate, the consulate must send you a list of qualified French-speaking lawyers in your country of residence.
To apply for legal aid, you must complete, download and print the Cerfa form available from the following page:
FYI
Your request for legal aid can be made before or during the procedure.
Where to apply?
Your application must be submitted to the legal aid office competent to examine your situation.
The BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office jurisdiction is not the same depending on the jurisdiction that must try your case.
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Court of Justice and Court of Assize
The application must be forwarded to the legal aid office of the court of law in the spring of which the court competent to hear the case is situated.
For example, if your case falls under the jurisdiction of the Family Court Judge of the Paris Court, you must send your application to the BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office of the Paris Court of Justice.
Who shall I contact
Administrative Tribunal
Your request must be submitted:
- To the legal aid office of the administrative tribunal competent to try your case
- Or to BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office of the court of law in the spring which is the administrative tribunal before which your case is or is to be tried.
Who shall I contact
Other administrative courts adjudicating at first instance
Your request must be submitted:
- To the legal aid office of the administrative tribunal who should try your case
- Or to BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office of the court of law in the spring which administrative court is located on which the competent administrative court depends.
Who shall I contact
Court of Cassation
Your application must be forwarded to the legal aid office of the Court of Cassation.
Who shall I contact
Council of State
Your request must be forwarded to the legal aid office of the Council of State.
Who shall I contact
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Court of Justice and Court of Assize
The application must be forwarded to the legal aid office of the court of law in the spring of which the court competent to hear the case is situated.
For example, if your case falls under the jurisdiction of the Family Court Judge of the Paris Court, you must send your application to the BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office of the Paris Court of Justice.
Who shall I contact
Administrative Tribunal
Your request must be submitted:
- To the legal aid office of the administrative tribunal competent to try your case
- Or to BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office of the court of law in the spring which is the administrative tribunal before which your case is or is to be tried.
Who shall I contact
Other administrative courts adjudicating at first instance
Your request must be submitted:
- To the legal aid office of the administrative tribunal who should try your case
- Or to BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office of the court of law in the spring which administrative court is located on which the competent administrative court depends.
Who shall I contact
Court of Cassation
Your application must be forwarded to the legal aid office of the Court of Cassation.
Who shall I contact
Council of State
Your request must be forwarded to the legal aid office of the Council of State.
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 | Updated family booklet (or equivalent document) |
Your identity | Duplex copy of your ID (e.g. passport) |
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 |
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 |
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 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 BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office 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 BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office check that you meet the conditions for legal aid.
Decision of the Legal Aid Office
The legal aid office may accept or refuse your application.
His decision is yours notified as soon as possible.
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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 to 25% the maximum amount that may be granted.
FYI
In case of emergency (example: for a request forprotection order), on BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office may grant you legal aid before analyzing your application. You get this help 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 BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office is sent to you by simple letter.
If he gives you legal aid partial, its decision is yours notified by any means of attesting to the date of receipt (e.g. by e-mail with acknowledgement of receipt).
In this case, the BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office tells you the means by which you can appeal.
Refusal
The BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office may reject your application for legal aid if you are in one of the following situations:
- Your financial resources (revenues, patrimony furniture or immovable property) 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 BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office 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.
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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 to 25% the maximum amount that may be granted.
FYI
In case of emergency (example: for a request forprotection order), on BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office may grant you legal aid before analyzing your application. You get this help 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 BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office is sent to you by simple letter.
If he gives you legal aid partial, its decision is yours notified by any means of attesting to the date of receipt (e.g. by e-mail with acknowledgement of receipt).
In this case, the BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office tells you the means by which you can appeal.
Refusal
The BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office may reject your application for legal aid if you are in one of the following situations:
- Your financial resources (revenues, patrimony furniture or immovable property) 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 BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office 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 BAJBAJ : Legal Aid Office only granted you partial legal aid.
The means of appeal shall be specified in the decision of the Legal Aid Office.
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 can certify its date of receipt (example: by email with acknowledgement of receipt).
In some cases, it can be notified by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.
This decision cannot be the subject of a new appeal.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
To get a lawyer for legal aid in France
LawyerFor information on legal aid in cross-border disputes
Ministry of Justice - Office of Legal Aid
Legal aid for cross-border disputes
Eligibility conditions (Articles 2 to 11)
Competent authority to examine the application for legal aid from a person residing abroad
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