avocat

French law

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June 18, 2026

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In French law, an avocat is a legal professional qualified to plead a client's case in court. Historically, France distinguished between avocats (pleaders) and avoués (case preparers), though this distinction is now largely abolished except in appellate courts. The avocat is the most prestigious legal practitioner in France, ranking alongside magistrates and law professors.12

To become an avocat, one typically completes law degree courses, passes a bar examination, and then serves a three-year probationary period with further coursework and practical experience. In court, the avocat's primary role is to present arguments and highlight discrepancies in testimony to persuade the court.32

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advocate
In France avocats were formerly an organized body of pleaders, while the preparation of cases was done by avoués; today this distinction exists only before the appellate courts. In Germany, until the distinction between counselor and pleader was abolished in 1879, the Advokat was the adviser rather…
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In France avocats were formerly an organized body of pleaders, while the preparation of cases was done by avoués; today this distinction exists only before the appellate courts. In Germany, until the distinction between counselor and pleader was abolished in 1879, the Advokat was the adviser rather…
Read More

lawyer
The most prestigious is the avocat, who is equal in rank to a magistrate or law professor. Roughly comparable to the English barrister, the avocat’s main function is to plead in court. In France, as in most civil-law countries, the examination of witnesses is conducted by the magistrate rather than…
Read More
The most prestigious is the avocat, who is equal in rank to a magistrate or law professor. Roughly comparable to the English barrister, the avocat’s main function is to plead in court. In France, as in most civil-law countries, the examination of witnesses is conducted by the magistrate rather than…
Read More