If you need urgent help
Call 17 or 112 for immediate danger, and 15 for a medical emergency in France. Urgence 114 provides accessible emergency channels for deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and aphasic people. The 3919 helpline provides information and support concerning violence against women; it is not an emergency response number.
Emergency contacts (French) · Official emergency information
Start with the right type of help
A Point-justice provides access to legal information. A lawyer can assess your case and represent you where required. Court staff can explain practical filing arrangements but do not replace personalised legal advice. A local directory gives contact details; it does not establish that a court has jurisdiction over your dispute.
Prepare your documents
Keep the complete decision or letter, its envelope, the date it was received, contracts and relevant messages. Write a short chronology and explain what you want to achieve. Do not assume that an appointment, a complaint email or a negotiation suspends a legal deadline. Ask which filing or response is needed and who will complete it.
Check costs and financial support
Ask for a written fee agreement and check whether an existing legal expenses insurance policy covers the dispute. Legal aid is subject to its own eligibility rules. A free information appointment does not mean that every court procedure or lawyer service is free. Confirm current fees, any exemption and your remaining contribution before proceeding.
Court costs (French) · Legal aid (French) · Legal expenses insurance (French)
Language and residence documents
Tell the relevant service if you cannot understand French and ask what interpretation or translation arrangements apply to your procedure. Do not rely only on an automatic translation for a court deadline or legal argument. Residence documents also need careful identification: an ANEF submission confirmation is different from a certificate extending the processing period or a favourable decision.
Residence application certificates (French) · Official information about custody rights, including interpretation (French)
About this page
France Justice is an independent information website. This English orientation page was prepared on 6 October 2026. The linked guides and official procedures are mainly in French. Use the original official sources and qualified advice for the rules applying to your situation.
Version française : orientation juridique · Sources and editorial method (French)
Justice.fr
Légifrance
