How can I find an English-speaking lawyer in France?

Reader Question: My house insurer asked me to find an avocat who can speak English to deal with a problem at my property. Is there an official list?

There is not an official list of English-speaking avocats (lawyers) provided by the French government. 

However, information about all lawyers within each of France’s 164 bars (barreaux) can be found here – scroll down to find your local bar, and then click on the associated website to find the local annuaire (directory). 

Some bars do not have a website, in which case you may need to call them directly. 

Whilst the lists do not specifically cite whether lawyers speak English, you can call or email directly to ask. 

The US Embassy in France also has a list of English-speaking attorneys as does the Australian Embassy here.  

An online search for ‘English-speaking lawyers + the name of your department’ may also yield results, but check that the lawyers are legitimate and local to you. 

It would be worth contacting several lawyers to compare costs before making your choice. 

Reaching out to a global law firm is an option, as their lawyers are likely to be multilingual. However, they are unlikely to be the most useful lawyer in your situation, as they usually work on larger cases. 

Read more: Where can I go to obtain free advice about legal issues in France?

It is also possible, if you work with a lawyer who does not speak English, to also engage the services of an official sworn translator/interpreter (lists can be found vis the local courts here).

While an avocat is generally required for more contentious issues, notaires are another common kind of legal professional, typically working on matters that would be dealt with by a family solicitor in the UK. Their directory at this link includes an option to narrow your search by languages spoken.

Connexion directory 

Finally, The Connexion also has a directory of English-speaking services in France – including lawyers – that you can find here.