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Yes, France has a similar system called aide juridictionnelle for people with low incomes, where the state pays the costs of justice officials such as lawyer, bailiff, expert and/or notaire and legal expenses (like expertise, social welfare report or family mediation).

It is available to people facing criminal charges as well as those in civil cases and, depending on resources, the state will take on the whole costs aide totale or a portion aide partielle.

Earnings levels (barèmes de l’aide juridictionnelle) are set each year but are applicable only to the earnings of the person involved and not the household. In addition, many welfare benefits payments are not included in calculating monthly income. Levels for 2018 are:

Aide totale average monthly income of €1,017 or less;

Aid of between 55% and 25% of the total is open to claimant with income of from €1,525 to €1,017.

Anyone with income of more than €1,525/month is refused aid (but average earnings are also linked to the number of dependants).

No aid is paid if you have legal cover in your household insurance or similar.

Lodging a request for l’aide juridictionnelle depends on the court dealing with the action. If the person has no lawyer the ²úâ³Ù´Ç²Ô²Ô¾±±ð°ù, President of the Bar, will provide one.

Question answered by Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats

Tel: 05 61 57 90 86 - contact@brightavocats.com

If you have a legal query send it tonews@connexionfrance.com