avoué

French law

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

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In French law, an avoué was historically a legal professional who prepared cases and represented litigants in procedural matters, excluding oral presentation. This role was distinct from the avocat, who primarily handled the oral pleading in court. While this distinction has largely been abolished in France, avoués still practice before appellate courts. The term avoué can be understood as a precursor to certain aspects of a solicitor's role in common-law systems, focusing on case preparation and procedural representation.123

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…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 than the pleader. The term has traditionally been applied to pleaders in courts of canon law,…
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…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 than the pleader. The term has traditionally been applied to pleaders in courts of canon law,…
Read More