Legal aid in proceedings in France

Verified 12 June 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

You must assert your rights in court, but you have not the necessary financial resources ? You can apply for legal aid. If you meet the requirements, the State supports all or part of your court costs and fees of your lawyer. We'll walk you through the steps to get this help.

Warning  

If the procedure takes place within another State of l' (except Denmark), the manner in which legal aid is obtained shall be other rules. If the procedure takes place abroad (excluding {circumflex over (X)}), you must contact the authorities of the country concerned directly to find out about the legal aid available.

To find out if you are eligible for legal aid, you can use a simulator:

Assess eligibility for legal aid

Legal aid is granted to you if you meet 3 conditions specific to your personal situation:

  • You must be of French nationality or European national (except Denmark). If you are a foreign national, you must usually reside in France (even if your residence permit is not valid). Attention: the condition of habitual residence in France does not apply minors, beneficiaries of a protection order and persons involved in criminal proceedings (witness assisted, accused, civil partyetc.).
  • The court costs should not be covered by your legal protection or by any other insurance.
  • Your financial resources (reference tax income, heritage real estate out primary residence and movable assets) must not exceed the legal aid admission ceilings.

The amount of legal aid is not the same for everyone those who can benefit from it.

Depending on the importance of your reference tax income and the number of people who make up your tax household, the limits on resources and wealth that should not be exceeded evolve.

If your tax home is composed of several persons, the ceilings not to be exceeded take into account the movable assets and real estate of all these people.

However, if you apply for legal aid for a dispute proceeding between you and a member of the tax household, the assessment of the wealth ceiling will be individualized (for example, in the event of divorce).

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You are alone in your tax home

You can benefit from full legal aid (100%) if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable assets do not exceed the following limits:

  • Reference tax income: €12,957(or 1,546,173 Pacific francs)
  • Value of movable assets: €12,957(or 1,546,173 Pacific francs)
  • Value of real estate assets: €38,866 (or 4,637,889 Pacific francs)

If the value of your assets exceeds one of the 2 asset ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).

If your reference tax income exceeds the income ceiling, you are not eligible for full legal aid.

On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. To do this, your reference tax income must not exceed the limits set for the allocation of partial legal aid.

The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% full legal aid.

Tableau - Coverage rate by resource (in euros)

Annual reference tax income

Monthly reference tax income

(Indicative)

Rate of legal aid

Not more than €12,957

Not more than €1,080

100%

Enter €12,958 and €15,316

Enter €1,080 and €1,276

55%

Enter €15,317 and €19,433

Enter €1,276 and €1,619

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 deduction of a tax allowance. 10%

Your tax household is composed of 2 people

You can benefit from full legal aid if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable assets do not exceed the following ceilings:

  • Reference tax income: €15,289 (or 1,824,484 Pacific Francs)
  • Value of movable assets: €15,289 (or 1 824,484 Pacific Francs)
  • Value of real estate assets: €45,861 (or 5,472,709 Pacific Francs)

If the value of your assets exceeds one of the 2 asset ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).

If your reference tax income exceeds the income ceiling, you are not eligible for full legal aid.

On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. To do this, your reference tax income must not exceed the limits set for the allocation of partial legal aid.

The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% full legal aid.

Tableau - Coverage rate by resource (in euros)

Maximum annual resources

Maximum monthly resources

(Indicative)

Support

Not more than €15,289

Not more than €1,274

100%

Enter €15,290 and €17,648

Enter €1,274 and €1,471

55%

Enter €17,649 and €21,765

Between and €1,471 and €1,814

25%

If you do not have a reference tax income, the ceiling taken into account is double your taxable income for the last 6 months, after deduction of a tax allowance. 10%.

Your tax household is composed of 3 people

You can benefit from full legal aid if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable assets do not exceed the following ceilings:

  • Reference tax income: €17,621 (or 2,102,795 Francs pacific)
  • Value of movable assets: €17,621 (or 2,102,795 Francs pacific)
  • Value of real estate assets: €52,857 (or 6,307,529 Francs pacific)

If the value of your assets exceeds one of the 2 asset ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).

If your reference tax income exceeds the income ceiling, you are not eligible for full legal aid.

On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. To do this, your reference tax income must not exceed the limits set for the allocation of partial legal aid.

The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% full legal aid.

Tableau - Coverage rate by resource (in euros)

Annual Resources

Monthly Resources

(Indicative)

Support

Not more than €17,621

Not more than €1,468

100%

Enter €17,622 and €19,980

Enter €1,468 and €1,665

55%

Enter €19,981 and €24,097

Enter €1,665 and €2,008

25%

If you do not have a reference tax income, the ceiling taken into account is double your taxable income for the last 6 months, after deduction of a tax allowance. 10%.

Your tax household is composed of 4 people

You can benefit from full legal aid if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable assets do not exceed the following ceilings:

  • Reference tax income: €19,095 (or 2,278,595 Pacific Francs)
  • Value of movable assets: €19,095 (or 2,278,595 Pacific Francs)
  • Value of real estate assets: €57,276 (or 6,834,857 Pacific Francs)

If the value of your assets exceeds one of the 2 asset ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).

If your reference tax income exceeds the income ceiling, you are not eligible for full legal aid.

On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. To do this, your reference tax income must not exceed the limits set for the allocation of partial legal aid.

The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% full legal aid.

Tableau - Coverage rate by resource (in euros)

Maximum annual resources

Maximum monthly resources

(Indicative)

Support

Not more than €19,095

Not more than €1,591

100%

Enter €19,096 and €21,454

Enter €1,591 and €1,788

55%

Enter €21,455 and €25,570

Enter €1,788 and €2,131

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 deduction of a tax allowance. 10%.

Your tax household is composed of 5 people

You can benefit from full legal aid if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable assets do not exceed the following ceilings:

  • Reference tax income: €20,568 (or 2,454,395 Francs pacific)
  • Value of movable assets: €20,568 (or 2,454,395 Francs pacific)
  • Value of real estate assets: €61,695 (or 7,362,185 Francs pacific)

If the value of your assets exceeds one of the 2 asset ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).

If your reference tax income exceeds the income ceiling, you are not eligible for full legal aid.

On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. To do this, your reference tax income must not exceed the limits set for the allocation of partial legal aid.

The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% full legal aid.

Tableau - Coverage rate by resource (in euros)

Maximum annual resources

Maximum monthly resources

(Indicative)

Support

Not more than €20,568

Not more than €1,714

100%

Enter €20,569 and €22,927

Enter €1,714 and €1,911

55%

Enter €22,928 and €27,044

Enter €1,911 and €2,254

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 deduction of a tax allowance. 10%.

Your tax household is composed of 6 people

You can benefit from full legal aid if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable assets do not exceed the following ceilings:

  • Reference tax income: €22,041 (or 2,630,195 Francs pacific)
  • Value of movable assets: €22,041 (or 2,630,195 Francs pacific)
  • Value of real estate assets: €66,114 (or 7,889,513 Francs pacific)

If the value of your assets exceeds one of the 2 asset ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).

If your reference tax income exceeds the income ceiling, you are not eligible for full legal aid.

On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. To do this, your reference tax income must not exceed the limits set for the allocation of partial legal aid.

The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% full legal aid.

Tableau - Coverage rate by resource (in euros)

Maximum annual resources

Maximum monthly resources

Support

Not more than €22,041

Not more than €1,837

100%

Enter €22,042 and €24,400

Enter €1,837 and €2,033

55%

Enter €24,401 and €28,517

Enter €2,033 and €2,376

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 deduction of a tax allowance. 10%.

Your tax household is composed of 7 people

You can benefit from full legal aid if your reference tax income and the value of your movable and immovable assets do not exceed the following ceilings:

  • Reference tax income: €23,514 (or 2,805,995 Francs pacific)
  • Value of movable assets: €23,514 (or 2,805,995 Francs pacific)
  • Value of real estate assets: €70,533 (or 8,416,841 Francs pacific)

If the value of your assets exceeds one of the 2 asset ceilings, you cannot benefit from legal aid (neither total nor partial).

If your reference tax income exceeds the income ceiling, you are not eligible for full legal aid.

On the other hand, you may be eligible for partial legal aid. To do this, your reference tax income must not exceed the limits set for the allocation of partial legal aid.

The rate of partial legal aid may be 25% and go to 55% full legal aid.

Tableau - Coverage rate by resource (in euros)

Annual reference tax income

Monthly reference tax income

(Indicative)

Support

Not more than €23,514

Not more than €1,960

100%

Enter €23,515 and €27,873

Enter €1,960 and €2,323

55%

Enter €27,874 and €29,990

Enter €2,323 and €2,499

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 deduction of a tax allowance. 10%.

In certain special circumstances, resource conditions shall not be examined:

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Minor

Tableau - Conditions for obtaining legal aid for a minor

Situation involving a minor

Conditions for obtaining the AJ

Minor heard in proceedings concerning him (example: proceedings before the Jaf, procedure for placement) or a CRPC

Legal aid is yours automatically assigned. You don't need to apply.

Minor in dispute with his legal representatives or whose legal representatives are disinterested

One ad hoc administrator must apply for legal aid on your behalf. However, you will be able to benefit from this assistance without prior review of the resources of your legal representatives.

Minor victim of a crime affecting his life or physical integrity (example: attempted murder, rape, violence with the use of a weapon)

Your legal representatives must apply for legal aid. However, this assistance can be granted to you without prior examination of your means test and those of your parents.

In case of domestic violence

As a victim of domestic violence, you can request a protection order. In this case, you can benefit from theAJ: titleContent provisional, after applying for legal aid.

To obtain legal aid definitively, you must justify your financial resources (income, real estate, savings).

If they exceed the legal aid admission limits, you will be required to pay or reimburse the amounts that you were exempted from or that were paid by the State unless the Office of Legal Aid (OLA) considers that your case is particularly noteworthy.

Please note

Persons accused of domestic violence may also obtain legal aid on an interim basis.

Victim of crime

If you are a victim of a crime that is injurious to your life or physical integrity (example: attempted murder, rape, violence with the use of a weapon), legal aid is allocated to you without your financial resources (income, real estate or movable property) are subject to review.

However, you must apply for legal aid.

If you are a right holder from the victim, you can benefit from legal aid under the same conditions.

Emergency situation

If you are in an emergency situation (e.g. the proceedings against you may affect your basic living conditions), you must apply for legal aid.

However, legal aid may be granted on an interim basis. Subsequently, the BAJ: titleContent review your resource requirements.

If, in the end, you do not meet the conditions for legal aid, you will be obliged to reimburse the costs that you have been exempted from or that the State has paid you.

When should a request for legal aid be made?

In general, the application for legal aid can be made before the start of the proceedings and until the end of the case.

Before the French national asylum court (CNDA), legal aid must be requested within 15 days of the court’s decisionOfpra: titleContent. However, if you challenge a decision of the Ofpra within 1 month, this action is considered a legal aid application, unless you object.

In all circumstances, costs incurred before the decision of the legal aid office are not covered by theAJ: titleContent. Therefore, if you paid a fee prior to receiving this decision, it will not be refunded.

How can legal aid be applied for?

How to apply for legal aid depends on the court before which your case is brought.

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General scenario (court of law, court of appeal, etc.)

In principle, the request can be made directly on the internet or using a cerfa form.

However, if you apply forAJ: titleContent on behalf of another person (e.g. a minor), you are obliged to use the cerfa form.

On the internet

The request can be made online:

Online Legal Aid Application

With the form

You can fill out the online form, download it and print it before submitting it.

Application for legal aid (form)

If you wish, you also have the option to print this form and fill it out by hand, before sending it.

The authority to which you must submit your application depends on when you apply for legal aid:

Application for legal aid before bringing an action 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 submit the form and the supporting documents to the single reception service of the litigant of the court of your home.

Who shall I contact
Request for legal aid once the court has been seised

You must send your application, together with the necessary supporting documents, to the legal aid office of the court of the place where the case is being handled.

You can also file your application with the required supporting documents at the single reception service of the litigant of the court of the place where the case is being handled.

Who shall I contact

Administrative Tribunal and Administrative Court of Appeal

You must complete, download and print the cerfa form n°16146:

Application for legal aid (form)

Once completed, your request accompanied by the required supporting documents must be forwarded to legal aid office of the judicial court to which the court seised depends.

Who shall I contact

Court of Cassation

To apply, you must fill and print the form posted on the Court of Cassation website.

Application for legal aid for a dispute before the Court of Cassation

This form (accompanied by the required documents) can be sent to the legal aid office of the Court of Cassation, by post.

It may also be deposited directly at the seat of the Court of Cassation.

Who shall I contact

Council of State

You must complete, download and print the cerfa form n°16146:

Application for legal aid (form)

Once completed, your request accompanied by the required supporting documents must be sent to the legal aid office of the Council of State.

Who shall I contact

French national asylum court

You must complete, download and print the cerfa form n°16146:

Application for legal aid (form)

Once completed, your application with the required supporting documents must be forwarded to the French national asylum court's legal aid office.

What documents should be attached to the legal aid 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:

Tableau - Civil status documents to be provided for the award of legal aid

Personal Information

Documents to be provided

Your home

  • Proof of residence of less than 3 months (water, gas bill, etc.)
    • If you live with a third party, proof of residence of less than 3 months accompanied by a certificate of accommodation

Your children

  • You are French: updated family booklet
  • You are a foreigner: any document equivalent to the family record book

Your identity

  • You are French or citizen of l'' (UE) : Duplex copy of your ID (e.g. passport)
  • You are a foreigner: any document proving your identity and the habitual character of your resident in France (for example, an electricity bill of less than 3 months)

Your insurance

Certificate of non-coverage by the insurer

Tableau - Supporting documents specific to the financial resources enabling the allocation of legal aid

Income and wealth

Documents to be provided

In any case

Most recent tax notice

If you do not have a tax notice

Proof of taxable income for the last 6 months (example: France Travail statement)

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: France Travail statement)

If you own one or more properties (not including your main residence)

Proof of the value of your property(s)

If you have savings

Proof of your savings amount

Important: you do not have to provide any resource-specific credentials if you are in one of the following situations:

  • You are the victim of a crime considered to be one of the most serious (murder, terrorism, rape, etc.)
  • You are an unaccompanied minor (for example, your parents live abroad)
  • You are a minor and you are being heard in a proceeding concerning you (a proceeding before the family judge, for example)
  • Your case must be processed by the National Asylum Court (CNDA)
  • You are appealing against a decision to refuse a military disability pension
  • You have received legal aid in first instance and you want to continue to enjoy it because your opponent has appealed.
Tableau - Supporting documents specific to the circumstances of the case allowing for the award of legal aid

Case for which a request for legal aid is made

Documents to be provided

If you are called to a hearing

Summons to the hearing or equivalent

If you are a victim of a crime of extreme gravity (murder, rape, terrorism, etc.)

Any document that can attest to this situation

If you appeal to the French national asylum court

Any document that can attest to this situation

If your case goes to an appellate court and you have not received legal aid in first instance

Copy of the decision rendered by the court accompanied by proof of its notification

If you have received legal aid at first instance and wish to continue to have it before the Court of Appeal

Copy of the previous decision on admission to legal aid

If you have already chosen a paralegal (example: lawyer) to intervene in your case

A letter of acceptance

If you have already paid money to your chosen court assistant

Any document certifying the payment of the sums paid

After reviewing your personal situation, the Legal Aid Office (LAO) may accept or refuse your request.

His decision is yours notified as soon as possible.

FYI  

If a hearing occurs and the Office of Legal Aid (BAJ) has not yet issued its decision, you can apply for interim legal aid, before or at the beginning of the trial. Thus, the costs associated with this hearing (example: attorney's fees) will be supported. The request must be addressed to the President of the BAJ or directly to the President of the court seised. It can be done orally or in writing.

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Application accepted

If your request is accepted, the BAJ can grant you:

  • Total legal aid. Thus, all court costs will be covered by the State.
  • Partial legal aid, or 55% or 25% the maximum rate that may be granted to you. In this case, part of the legal costs will be borne by you.

FYI  

If this has not been done, you have 1 year from this decision to initiate legal action. After this period, the decision of the BAJ will no longer be valid.

If you are granted full legal aid, the decision of the BAJ is sent to you by simple letter. If the BAJ only grants you legal aid, you will receive its decision by any means that can confirm its date of receipt (e.g. by email with acknowledgement of receipt). It details how you can appeal.

Application rejected

The BAJ: titleContent may reject your application for legal aid if you are in one of the following situations:

  • Your financial resources (income, heritage movable or immovable property) are above the legal aid admission ceilings
  • Your legal action is inadmissible
  • You have made multiple requests repeatedly or systematically (for example, you make multiple requests for legal aid for the same case, which hinders the functioning of the BAJ)
  • You benefit from a legal protection or other insurance that already covers the costs of the trial
  • You have not provided the supporting documents to obtain this assistance (example: documents justifying your nationality, your financial situation).

Reminder

If theAJ: titleContent You have been granted temporary aid and, finally, you do not meet the conditions for receiving this aid, you are obliged to reimburse the costs which you have been exempted from or which the State has paid you.

The legal aid office sends you its refusal decision by any means that can attest to its date of receipt (example: letter with acknowledgement of receipt). It details how you can appeal.

Please note

The legal aid office may also issue a lapse decision if you have not completed your application within the time limit he gave you to do so.

This decision cannot be the subject of an appeal.

If you have low incomes, legal aid allows you to benefit from state support, costs related to a procedure in which you are involved. Depending on the interest rateAJ: titleContent granted, in whole or in part legal costs are covered by legal aid.

What are the costs covered by legal aid?

The costs covered by legal aid include 2 types of expenses:

Warning  

In criminal matters, certain legal costs (fixed procedural law, fees of an expert, commissioner of justiceetc.) are not covered by legal aid.

Furthermore, the YA does not cover the right to plead the amount of which is €13.

Finally, the payment of the sums to which you have been sentenced by a court decision (example: damages and interest, fines) is not covered by the YA.

What can be the different rates of legal aid?

When granted, legal aid may be total or partial :

  • The total legal aid is the maximum rate that can be granted, i.e. 100%In this case, the costs covered by the legal aid (attorney's fees, costs of meaningetc.) are fully supported by the State.
  • Partial legal aid corresponds to 55% or to 25% the maximum amount that may be granted. In this case, only part of the legal costs are covered by the State. You must therefore pay part of your lawyer's fees (provided for in a fee agreement) and procedural costs.

FYI  

The legal professional who accompanies you receives the amount of legal aid. That amount is never paid directly to you.

As a beneficiary of legal aid, you can freely choose your lawyer and any auxiliary of justice (example: notary, commissioner of justice) who will assist you in your case.

This choice may take place from the beginning of the procedure, and even before that the BAJ: titleContent has issued a decision granting you legal aid.

Moreover, within the application for legal aid, there is a section for requesting the appointment of a lawyer and any other auxiliary of justice.

FYI  

You can also request the assistance of a lawyer by contacting the legal aid office which is dependent on the court seised.

If you live abroad (except UE), the consulate provides you with a list of competent French-speaking lawyers in your country of residence.

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, you can ask the president of the bar of the Bar Association of the place where you made an application for a JA, to appoint a lawyer in your place.

Who shall I contact

FYI  

Within your legal aid application, there is also a section to request the appointment of a lawyer and any other auxiliary of justice.

In addition, in certain procedures (e.g. before the criminal court, the assize court or for an educational assistance measure), you can benefit from a public defender. If he accepts, its fees may be covered by legal aid.

Warning  

Even if you are a YA beneficiary, the lawyer is not free. If you have been granted full legal aid, the lawyer's fees are fully covered by the State. However, if you are a beneficiary of the partial YL, you will have to pay part of the fee (set in a fee agreement).

If your application for legal aid is refused, you can challenge the decision of the BAJ: titleContent.

The same applies if the BAJ has only granted you partial legal aid.

Time limits for lodging an appeal against the decision of the BAJ

The time limits for lodging an appeal depend on the court in which your case is being heard:

General scenario

The time limit for lodging your appeal is 15 days from notification the decision of the BAJ.

This is particularly the case when your case is before a court of law, a local courta court of appeal, 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 French national asylum court, your appeal must be forwarded within 8 days from the notification the decision of the BAJ.

Means of transmission of the appeal against the decision of the BAJ

The appeal must be addressed to the legal aid office that issued the decision you disagree with.

You must obligatory state the reasons why you wish to seek redress.

Your declaration must be accompanied by a copy of the decision you are challenging.

The means of transmitting your appeal depend on the jurisdiction in which your case is being heard:

General scenario

Your appeal must be delivered by hand to the BAJ: titleContent or be sent by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

After receiving it, the BAJ forwards your appeal to the competent authority to examine it.

Please note

If your lawyer has filed your appeal, the BAJ confirms that the filing has taken place.

Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
Who shall I contact
In front of the CNDA

Your appeal may be delivered to the BAJ: titleContent of the French national asylum court :

  • In your own hand
  • By registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt
  • By fax.

After receiving it, the BAJ forwards your appeal to the competent authority to examine it.

Please note

If your lawyer has filed your appeal, the BAJ confirms that the filing has taken place.

Before the CAA or the Council of State

When your case is before a Administrative Court of Appeal or before the Council of State, you may submit your appeal to the BAJ: titleContent :

  • By registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt

After receiving it, the BAJ forwards your appeal to the competent authority to examine it.

Warning  

Your lawyer can file the appeal on your behalf. In this case, he must obligatory use Telerecourse.

The BAJ confirms that the deposit has taken place.

Who shall I contact

Examination of the appeal against the decision of the BAJ

Your appeal is examined to determine whether the decision of the legal aid office is well founded.

Once your appeal has been examined, the competent authority may:

  • Confirm the decision of the legal aid office
  • Annul the decision of the legal aid office
  • Change the rate of legal aid you will receive.

The new decision is sent to you by any device allowing you to attest its date of receipt (e.g. by email).

In some cases, it may be you notified by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

This decision cannot be the subject of a new appeal.

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