How the legal profession works in France
In France, the avocat is the single legal profession that both advises and represents clients in court: there is no split between solicitors and barristers. Every avocat belongs to a local bar. The Marseille bar (barreau de Marseille) is one of the largest in France: the public directory used by Almaplace lists 2,760 lawyers. A lawyer registered in Marseille can plead before courts anywhere in France, but can only formally represent you in written proceedings before the courts of the Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal area; cases before the Cour de cassation and the Conseil d'État usually require a specialist avocat aux Conseils.
A notaire is a different profession: a neutral public officer who handles property sales, marriage contracts and estates. If you are in a dispute, you need an avocat, not a notaire.
Finding an English-speaking lawyer
The public directory does not record the languages a lawyer speaks, so no list can honestly claim to be complete. The reliable method is:
- Identify the area of law: family, employment, housing, criminal, immigration, business. Almaplace's directory lets you browse the Marseille bar by area of law and by district.
- Call two or three firms and ask first: « Est-ce que vous pouvez me recevoir en anglais ? » (Can you see me in English?). Many firms, especially in business, family and immigration law, work in English.
- Ask the price of the first meeting before booking. It is set freely by each lawyer.
To check that someone is genuinely registered as a lawyer, search their name in the bar's official directory or in the national directory of the Conseil national des barreaux.
Fees
- Fees are set freely (a few procedures, such as property seizures, have fixed scales). Except in emergencies or under full legal aid, they must be set out in a written fee agreement (convention d'honoraires).
- Lawyers charge a fixed fee, an hourly rate, or a base fee plus a success fee. A fee based only on the result (pure contingency) is prohibited.
- Check your legal protection insurance (protection juridique): home, car and bank card policies often include it and cover part of the fees.
- Fee disputes are settled by the bâtonnier, the head of the Marseille bar.
Legal aid and free advice
Legal aid (aide juridictionnelle) can cover all or part of the lawyer's fees depending on your income and assets. For most proceedings it requires habitual residence in France (a residence permit is not required), with exceptions where no residence condition applies (minors, criminal cases, protection orders, some immigration matters). The application is made to the legal aid office of the Marseille judicial court, 6 rue Joseph Autran. Details, in French: legal aid in Marseille.
Free consultations, by appointment, are offered at the Maison de l'avocat (51 rue Grignan, 6th district) and at the Maison de la justice et du droit (46 boulevard Capitaine Gèze, 14th district). They give guidance but do not take on your case. See free legal advice in Marseille (in French).
If you are arrested
In police custody (garde à vue) you have the right to a lawyer from the start, and to an interpreter. If you do not know a lawyer, ask for one to be appointed (avocat commis d'office). You pay nothing at the police station: the State pays the duty lawyer. If your income is above the legal aid limits, the State may later ask you to repay that cost.
Courts in Marseille
- Judicial court (tribunal judiciaire): 6 rue Joseph Autran, 6th district. Family, civil, criminal and social security cases.
- Employment tribunal (conseil de prud'hommes): 6 rue Rigord, 7th district.
- Administrative court (tribunal administratif): rue Breteuil, 6th district. Disputes with public authorities, including residence permits.
- Appeals go to the court of appeal in Aix-en-Provence.
All addresses, in French: courts in Marseille.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find an English-speaking lawyer in Marseille?
Choose the area of law first, then call a few firms from the Marseille bar directory and ask whether they can work in English. The public directory does not list languages, so asking is the only reliable check.
How much does a lawyer cost in Marseille?
Fees are set freely but must in principle be agreed in writing. Ask the price of the first consultation on the phone; legal aid or legal protection insurance may cover part of the cost.
Can foreigners get legal aid in France?
Yes, subject to income and, for most proceedings, habitual residence in France. Lawful residence is not required. Some cases, such as those involving minors or criminal matters, are exempt from any residence condition.
Official sources
- Marseille Bar Association (in French)
- Marseille Bar directory (in French)
- National directory of French lawyers, CNB (in French)
- Legal aid: conditions (service-public.fr, in French)
In short
Every lawyer practising in Marseille belongs to the Marseille bar, and fees must in principle be agreed in writing. Start from the area of law your problem falls under, ask on the first call whether the lawyer works in English, and check whether legal aid or your insurance can cover the cost.
Browse the Marseille bar directory
This page explains how the justice system works in Marseille; it is general information, not legal advice. Only a lawyer can assess your case. Rules and addresses were last reviewed on and may change.