Instructing French lawyer

LAFOURCADE AVOCATS has established a list of criteria that we believe all individuals and business managers should keep in mind when instructing French lawyer.

When instructing a French lawyer, you need to consider several questions.

Does the French lawyer has:

• the necessary reputation, experience and ability?
• the time?
• the right commercial attitude?
• the language skills?
• a team as back up?
• international experience?
• Which professional rules apply to the French lawyer?
• Is the French lawyer a member of a bar association?
• Do you have your French lawyer direct line or home telephone number and e-mail address?

The French lawyer practice

Does the French lawyer’s practice have:

• French lawyers that are used to working in teams?
• a replacement for your chosen French lawyer?
• support staff that speak your language?
• the infrastructure you need such as document processing systems?
• Is you French lawyer a member of an international network of lawyers?
• Does the office close over the period you need advice?
• Is it in the right region?
• What professional rules apply to advisers at the firm?

French lawyer’s Fees

• How will the fee be calculated? Are you provided with a draft fee agreement ?
• How many lawyers will be working on the project?
• What uplifts are there?
• Are there compulsory taxes on the bill?
• Do you have to pay for anyone else (like a French notary)?
• Are there statutory minimum charges and can you exclude them?

Fee disputes

• Is there an arbitration procedure?
• How much does it cost?
• Does the French lawyer have a lien over your papers?

Conflicts and confidentiality under French law 

• Is the French practice an expense sharing association or part of an alliance?
• Is the market small?
• What conflict checking systems does the French law firm have?
• Is the French law firm sensitive to commercial conflicts?
• Are communications with your French lawyer privileged?
• Can you see copies of correspondence between your French lawyer and other lawyers?

Client protection

• Is the individual a French lawyer and, if so, which rules cover him?
• Is there a compensation fund? Is it discretionary or limited?

Professional indemnity insurance

• is it compulsory?
• how much does your French lawyer have?
• what is the excess?
• what does it cover?
• The practice: are all partners liable, or just your adviser?

Client money: 

• do rules exist?
• is there a bar audit?
• is the disciplinary system effective?

LAFOURCADE AVOCATS law firm has set up internal processes to ensure that all these criteria are met to ensure quality and cost efficient French legal services.