Delivering pro bono legal services in France

By Charles-Antonie Guelluy, Partner, Latham & Watkins

Pro bono work – an abbreviation of pro bono publico, which means “for the public good” in Latin – has become a vital part of the French legal landscape, with a notable evolution. The French legal community has many years of experience in legal aid (“aide juridictionnelle”), a State-funded mechanism covering legal costs to the extent that certain eligibility criteria are fulfilled mainly in the context of litigation. 

Emerging trends in pro bono practice

1. Participation in pro bono initiatives is on the rise: 

In recent years, participation in pro bono initiatives in France has increased among law firms, with attorneys showing greater interest in a wide range of areas such as human rights, environmental law, and social entrepreneurship. 

2. Increase in asylum seekers and migrants heightens demand for pro bono services: 

The rising number of asylum seekers and migrants coming to France from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and the Middle East has also heightened demand for pro bono services, particularly in areas relating to immigration and human rights law. Partnerships with organisations specialising in these areas provide essential support and expertise.   

3. Bar Association promotes pro bono work: 

There is growing interest from the Bar Association in promoting pro bono work through new clinics and initiatives. 

Latham and Watkins’s Commitment to Pro Bono Service

In addition, Latham supports Adie’s hotline service, which offers legal guidance to micro-entrepreneurs striving to launch or sustain small businesses. Adie provides microloans and business support to people excluded from traditional financial systems, helping them achieve economic independence. Over the past three years, Latham attorneys have contributed more than 900 hours of pro bono assistance to Adie’s beneficiaries, addressing issues related to contracts, employment law, and regulatory compliance.