The French legal market is, like many others in Europe, becoming increasingly international. However, while it has always been relatively simple for foreign lawyers to establish themselves for short periods under the umbrella of existing French law firms, it is now becoming easier for foreign francophiles to qualify as avocats and stay in France long term, practising French law.
There are essentially two options open to lawyers wishing to establish themselves permanently in France. First, to pass an equivalency examination; and second, at least for European Union-qualified (EU-qualified) lawyers, to take advantage of the provisions of a new EU Directive, 98/5/EC, which is currently being applied by certain French bars even before being formally incorporated into French law.
In order to be admitted to one of the French bars, lawyers who have been admitted to a bar outside the EU/European Economic Area (EEA) may sit a series of tests under Article 100 of the Decree, dated 27 November, 1991, organising the profession of avocat, provided that their country affords French avocats the right to practise under the same conditions.
