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FREE CONSULTATIONS WITH QUALIFIED LAWYERS ARE ONE OPTION IN SOME AREAS BUT ACCESS MAY BE MEANS-TESTED READER QUESTION: I NEED SOME LEGAL ADVICE – WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE? It is

possible to access free legal advice in France, but some services may be means-tested. For a start, wherever you live, you are probably not too far from a centre in the network of

_points-justice_, local sites where people can go for free and confidential advice on their rights, as well as help with launching legal action. _Points-justice_ are sometimes located at the

premises of Maisons France Services, which also assist with administrative tasks, or at the mairie’s _centre communal d’action sociale_ (a local council body dealing with access to welfare

and other social rights). READ MORE:WHAT ARE FRANCE SERVICES POINTS AND HOW CAN THEY HELP YOU? Sometimes they are open to everyone and sometimes they are reserved for certain groups, such as

young people, hospitalised people or prisoners. In them you will find lawyers, mediators, Défenseur des droits (Defender of rights) delegates and more. The Defenseur des droits helps people

who consider they have been victims of discrimination, for example. You can find your closest _point-justice _using this website. Your local mairie may also be able to organise a free

consultation with a lawyer, but this service may be limited to people whose income is below a certain threshold. If your query or request is related to consumer protection or a similar

field, you may be able to arrange a free meeting with a lawyer through a consumer group; however you may be expected to pay an annual membership fee (often quite affordable). You can find

out more about the main groups at this link. If you are a union member and have an issue linked to your professional life and employment law, a union lawyer will be able to assist you. Your

local bar association (_barreau des avocats _in French) will likely also organise pro bono legal advice sessions, but access to these may be reserved to people who would be eligible for

legal aid due to modest means (aide _juridictionnelle_). If your situation relates to your car, home or personal possessions, for example, you may also be able to enquire with your insurance

company if you have _défense-recours _or _protection juridique _clauses included in your contract. Other policies including _Garantie accidents de la vie _also often include access to free

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LAWYER IN FRANCE?