how to become a lawyer in france

For someone to receive a license from the state, they need to fulfill specific criteria:

• be born outside of France;
• be naturalized under Article 27 of the Constitution;
• have completed secondary education and been admitted to a higher institution;
• have successfully finished a two-year course leading to membership of the profession;
• Pass a written examination.

Full Answer

How to become a specialist lawyer in France?

If a lawyer has more than five years of professional experience in a specific practice area, he or she is entitled to take an examination in order to obtain the “specialist lawyer” qualification. In France, only lawyers who have passed this examination are entitled to call themselves “specialist lawyers.”

Can I become a lawyer in France without a French passport?

The application process for this seems to be less formal than over here, outside of English or American firms with Parisian offices, with firms selecting you after a stage of some kind. Becoming a notaire, the government regulated specialist property lawyers, is practically impossible without French citizenship.

What are the obligations of a lawyer in France?

Payment of fees to the Bar Association, the National French Bar Fund (CNBF), the Conseil national des barreaux , and the URSSAF. They must also plan for professional insurance and insurance against operating losses, as well as supplementary retirement payments.

How do you become an avocat?

On completing this training, law students must pass the Certificate of Aptitude for the Legal Profession (CAPA) examination. They then take an oath before the Court of Appeal and register in the bar association of their choice. Only then do they have the right to the title of avocat [fully qualified lawyer].

How long does it take to become lawyer in France?

obtain a qualifying law degree (“Master 1”), which is obtained after a four-year university training program in law, and pass the entrance exam of the law school of the local bar association, followed by an 18-month traineeship in the school.

How much does it cost to become a lawyer in France?

A law student in France can pay nothing for tuition and earn a $35,000 starting salary.

Are lawyers in demand in France?

Even more eye catching is the growth figure of the number of foreign lawyers working in France, which is 7.1% per year on average over the past 10 years. So the prospects are really rather good for those of you dreaming of working under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower!

How much does lawyer earn in France?

A person working as an Attorney in France typically earns around 94,700 EUR per year. Salaries range from 43,600 EUR (lowest) to 151,000 EUR (highest). This is the average yearly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Attorney salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location.

Can foreigners be lawyers in France?

After registering with a French local Bar association, foreign lawyers can practise in France as lawyers. Foreign lawyers who choose not to apply to be admitted to the French Bar or who fail at the required exam can only advise on the law of their country as foreign legal consultants.

Is law hard in France?

Earning a Law Degree in France Getting selected for an undergraduate program in a law University is not as difficult in France since it is within a public University. However, that does not mean you will definitely get accepted or succeed if you do. Law school in France is divided into 3 programs.

How hard is the French bar exam?

This exam is pretty tough — even for French students — and requires a very good level in French because there is a writing exam and an oral exam. This exam is scheduled once a year from September to December, it requires at least a master degree in law and it is limited to 3 attempts.

Are lawyers well paid in France?

The average pay for a Lawyer is €93,415 a year and €45 an hour in Paris, France. The average salary range for a Lawyer is between €64,300 and €116,443. On average, a Master's Degree is the highest level of education for a Lawyer.

Do lawyers make good money in France?

Salary for recent graduates: On average, junior lawyers earn roughly $40,000 (€34,000). For specialized lawyers (solicitors/attorneys) average salaries range around $86,000 (€72,000), according to Glassdoor. Those with senior positions at top-tier firms can earn over $118,000 (€100,000).

Which country is best for Lawyer?

Top Countries to Study Law inUnited States. The United States is one of the best countries to study law in. ... United Kingdom. Another excellent country to study law is the United Kingdom. ... Australia. Australia makes an excellent destination for a Law degree. ... Singapore. ... Canada.

What is the highest paying job in France?

Being a doctor or a physician in any country is considered a respectable and lucrative job. The same is the case in France. Medical students who want to work in France can move there and practice effortlessly. As a matter of fact, it is the highest paying job in the country.

Which country pays lawyers the highest?

The 10 Best Highest-Paying Countries for LawyersJapan.Luxembourg. ... USA. ... Ireland. Average annual salary: $79,320 (€69,660) ... France. Average annual salary: $69,050 (€60,630) ... Germany. Average annual salary: $67,130 (€58,960) ... UK. Average annual salary: $65,490 (£48,410) ... Canada. Average annual salary: $60,610 (CA$77,000) ... More items...•

How many exams do I need to become a lawyer in France?

In this case, the prospective French lawyer has to pass four exams based on the four core law subjects, one of which is a written exam. A lawyer who is already admitted in another member state of the EU can also obtain admission to a French bar association if he or she has more than three years of professional experience in a French law firm. ...

What is the role of French lawyers in the legal system?

Just like German lawyers, French lawyers are considered an independent body of the legal system (“ auxiliaire de justice ”) and promote the achievements of the public services of Justice (“ mission de service public de la Justice ”). The French mentality is very much influenced by this basic idea, which is still very present in current practices: ...

How many years of experience do you need to become a lawyer?

However, generally speaking, a lawyer specializes in one specific practice area in the course of his or her career. If a lawyer has more than five years of professional experience in a specific practice area, he or she is entitled to take an examination in order to obtain the “specialist lawyer” qualification.

Who is the second lawyer in a court case?

However, a second lawyer (known as an “ avocat postulant ”) who is admitted in the district of the court must intervene in order to officially represent the client in court and carry out the formalities during the proceedings.

Is counselling mandatory in court?

Since the global legislative framework is becoming more and more complex and extensive, the counselling aspect is becoming a more and more significant part of a lawyer’s activities. Unlike Germany, and pursuant to the French Code of Ethics for lawyers, it is still mandatory today to be represented in court proceedings by a lawyer who is admitted ...

Is correspondence between French lawyers confidential?

Only correspondence that is explicitly declared “official” (“ official ”) between French lawyers is not confidential. This particularity of the French practice is often very helpful in, for example, the settlement of negotiations between employers and employees.

Can a foreigner become a lawyer in France?

There are no restrictions on French avocats hiring lawyers from EU or EEA member States or Switzerland. Other foreign lawyers must be admitted to practise law in France before they could be employed as lawyers.

How many years does it take to be a lawyer in France?

Earning a Law Degree in France First, students attend a three-year Bachelor of law program (called “Licence de Droit”). This is followed by a two-year Master of Law program (LLM), and finally a three-year or more Ph. D. in law.

Can a US lawyer practice in France?

With your american background you can get into american or British Law firms located in Paris. They might need some lawyers even if you are not a French attorney. The other law firms are focused on french or europen law.

How much do French lawyers make?

The average pay for a Lawyer is €87,024 a year and €42 an hour in Paris, France. The average salary range for a Lawyer is between €59,901 and €108,476. On average, a Master’s Degree is the highest level of education for a Lawyer.

What is the difference between English and French law?

English law is considered to be in the grouping of common law systems, while French law belongs to the loosely defined civil law systems [2] . However they are both still part of a Western European tradition of law and so distinctiveness should not be exaggerated.

How much does law school cost in France?

The tuition fees as of the 2020/2021 academic year are: 2,770 euros per year at the Licence level.

Is France good for law?

France is appealing to most law students because of the opportunity to get a higher education around important academics as well as get one of the best international education there is. A lot of French law Universities are also some of Europe’s and the world’s best law universities.

When was the legal profession established in France?

Accessing the legal profession in France. The access routes to the legal profession were established by the Act of December 31, 1971 , as amended by the Act of February 11, 2004 , as well as by the Implementing Decree of December 21, 2004 on professional education for lawyers.

What are the requirements to become a lawyer?

Candidates must prove that they meet all the requirements to be a fully qualified lawyer in their country of origin; and that, when required, they have completed a legal internship, besides university studies and professional qualification or competency examinations.

How many EDAs are there in France?

Students who pass the examination take a professional education program, practical in nature, offered by a law school. There are 15 EDAs in France that offer initial and continuing training. The Implementing Decree of December 21, 2004 changed the rules on the initial training of lawyers.

What is the standard route for law school?

The Standard Route. It is necessary to pass the examination for entry into a Law School (EDA), which universities administer as part of the Institute of Judicial Studies (IEJ), as a condition of access to the profession.

How long is the French oral exam?

Two oral tests : an approximately twenty-minute report, on a subject drawn at random by the candidate on the French civil, criminal, or administrative procedures, or the French legal system and an approximately fifteen minute interview with the examination board, focusing on professional regulations and ethics.

Does the Conseil national des barreaux take into account candidates' professional experience?

This means that the Conseil national does not take into account candidates' professional experience or degrees.

Does the Conseil national take into account experience?

This means that the Conseil national does not take into account candidates' professional experience or degrees. In addition, by virtue of a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ARM) lawyers registered with the Québec bar are required only to take an examination assessing their basic knowledge of French Law.

A law degree can smooth the path to practice and help students gain admission to the bar

Becoming a lawyer in an overseas country is not easy, but it can be well worth the reward. In mainland Europe, the legal services markets are diverse and dynamic, with a wide range of career opportunities on offer.

Practicing law in the Netherlands

The main route to practicing law in the Netherlands starts with a three-year undergraduate law degree, followed by a doctorate degree or master of law, then a legal apprenticeship for another three years.

Practicing law in Spain

To access the legal profession in Spain, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a university in addition to a master’s degree, such as an LL.M. Then, you will need to carry out a supervised internship in a law firm, or the legal department of a company in Spain. You must also pass an aptitude test, which Spain’s Ministry of Justice runs annually.

Practicing law in Germany

In order to practice law in Germany, lawyers need to go through a two-stage qualification process.

Practicing law in France

The standard route to practicing law in France is studying at law school and taking an examination.