Request legal aid

Proposed by Comité de la Démarche Accessible Updated on il y a 10 jours

If you are taking legal action or undergoing legal proceedings (divorce, conflict, trial, appeal to the National Court of Asylum Law CNDA, etc.) and you need a lawyer but you cannot pay, you can apply for legal aid.

It is financial support from the state for people with low incomes. The state pays all or part of the legal costs (for example: lawyer's fees).

You can apply for legal aid:
- before or during legal proceedings,
- or after the judgment, to enforce (apply) a court decision.

To find a lawyer:

If you already know a lawyer, you can contact them directly. The lawyer may or may not agree to help you.
If you have not found one, a lawyer will be assigned to you.

In certain situations (for example, in criminal court or to protect a child), a lawyer is automatically assigned. This is called a court-appointed lawyer.

Legal aid does not pay any money you may be ordered to pay (for example: fines or damages).

How to do it?

You can apply for legal aid if:

you live in France for more than 6 months a year, even without a valid residence permit
you do not have insurance that covers legal costs with your bank or insurer (home insurance contract for example)
your reference tax income (written on your tax notice) and the value of your assets (money in your livret A, real estate, etc.) do not exceed these resource ceilings.

This simulator allows you to find out if legal aid is available depending on your situation. Complete the information, and if "you would be eligible" appears at the end, you can apply for legal aid.

There are no conditions if you need legal aid for an appeal to the National Court of Asylum Law (CNDA) (no calculation of your resources: you can apply directly, see step below).

You must complete the Cerfa form n°16146*03. You can fill it out online OR download it empty to fill it out by hand OR pick it up at your town hall or at the court.

To complete the online form, you can click on this link. This service allows you to automatically complete the form by entering your information. You can then download the already completed form to send it.
To download the empty form (to fill it out by writing by hand), you can click here. It is strongly advised to read this notice which will help you to complete the form.

If you need help with this process, you can contact the unique access to law number by calling 3039 . Communication is free and will allow you to be directed to the justice point closest to your home.

Photocopies of these must be made documents:

a document that proves your identity (name and photo)
proof of address of less than 3 months (rent receipt, accommodation certificate, electricity bill, etc.)
a certificate of non-support by your insurer
if you have children: the family record book
the OFPRA's response regarding your asylum application (if you are requesting legal aid for an appeal before the CNDA, there is no need to send the other documents below)
your most recent tax notice
proof of your taxable income for the last 6 months (example: France Travail statements, statements from the Primary Health Insurance Fund (CPAM), certificate from your employer indicating income, etc.)
documents on your legal situation (summons to a hearing, etc.)

Depending on your situation, other documents may be required. Everything is explained on pages 4 and 5 of the instructions .

If you did not apply online, you must send your file (form + documents) by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt (AR) to the legal aid office handling your case.

It is advisable to make a copy of the letter before sending it, to keep a record.

If it is the National Court of Asylum Law (CNDA)

To contest an OFPRA decision, contact:

Cour nationale du droit d’asile
Monsieur le président de la Cour
35, rue Cuvier
93100 Montreuil

The request must be sent within 15 days of the OFPRA's response.

Whether it is a civil court of first instance or the Court of Appeal

For example, the judicial court, the industrial tribunal, the commercial court, etc. for disputes between private individuals (individuals, businesses).

The addresses are here.

If it is the Court of Cassation

For disputes over the application of laws.

Cour de cassation
Bureau d'aide juridictionnelle
5 quai de l’Horloge
TSA 70660
75055 PARIS CEDEX 01

It is also possible to request legal aid directly on the Court of Cassation website here .

If it is the Council of State

For disputes against an administration or a public service.

Conseil d'État
Bureau d’aide juridictionnelle
1, place du Palais-Royal
75100 Paris cedex 01

It is also possible to send the file by email with the documents in PDF: baj@conseil-etat.fr .
Everything is explained here.

> Read the Réfugiés.info fact sheet: "Scan a document"

What happens next?

If you applied on the legal aid website with your FranceConnect account, log in to your personal space and check the steps and the response.

Otherwise, you will receive the decision by post and/or email with acknowledgment of receipt.

Legal aid can be:
- fully accepted (to pay all your fees)
- or provisionally (pending a final decision)
- or partially (to pay part of the costs)
- or refused .

If you received a negative response (your application for legal aid is refused or you have partial legal aid), you can contest the decision (say that you do not agree).

You can ask a lawyer for help. They can help you understand the reasons for the negative response and draft your appeal. You can consult a lawyer for free by clicking here.

Please note that the deadlines for filing an appeal are very short:
- 15 days in general
- 8 days if it is the CNDA which refused legal aid.

1. In the letter, you must explain why you do not agree and show that you need this legal aid to pay.
For example: there is an error in the number of people in your household or in your resources.

2. You must then send the letter + a copy of the decision + supporting documents to the legal aid office that made the decision, by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt (AR). This office sends your appeal to the court or tribunal that is handling your case.

3. You will receive the decision by mail.

4. If you do not agree with this new decision, you will not be able to appeal it afterwards. This second decision is final.

If your case is being heard by the administrative court, an administrative court or the Council of State, you can appeal on this site by clicking on Télérecours citoyens.

Aid that has been accepted can then be withdrawn (deleted), for several reasons.

The withdrawal of legal aid can be:

Total. You must pay or reimburse all court costs (which you were waived or which were paid by the state)
Partial. You must pay or reimburse only part of the court costs.

Everything is explained by clicking here .