The Local France

EXPLAINED: What are your legal rights as a foreigner in France?

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 16:13:48 +0200

The French Constitution offers broad legal protection to anyone in France from the right to trial to the right to legal advice, but there are some scenarios specific to foreigners in France.

Family of French perfumer Guerlain embroiled in bitter legal battle

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 11:18:52 +0200

The partner of Jean-Paul Guerlain accused the famous perfumer's son of waging a "harassment war" against her and of threatening her on several occasions.

The divorce law pitfalls in France that foreigners need to be aware of

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 12:13:35 +0200

France now has an out-of-court divorce option designed to make the process simpler and less expensive, but as Paris-based lawyer Caterina Guidiceandrea warns, it has some pitfalls for non-French people.

Is France really about to grant political asylum to Julian Assange?

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 18:40:07 +0200

A rash of headlines in the French press have focused on the possibility of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange being given asylum in France - so what's really going on?

Paralysed Frenchman at centre of 11-year legal battle dies after life support withdrawn

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 11:28:10 +0200

Vincent Lambert, a severely brain-damaged French patient at the heart of a right-to-die case, died on Thursday morning more than a week after doctors took him off life support, his family told AFP.

British billionaire ordered to pay €21k to French playwright after losing case

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 10:16:25 +0200

Secretive British billionaire David Barclay was ordered to pay damages of €21,000 to a French playwright on Tuesday after a court in northern France rejected his attempt to sue for defamation.

France doubles fines for racial discrimination

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 19:00:35 +0200

The French government has doubled its fines for those found guilty of racial or discriminatory defamation in "non-public" statements.

Noisy cockerel causes legal row in southern France

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 15:13:51 +0200

Tens of thousands of people have come out in support of a French cockerel named Maurice, after his noisy crowing caused a legal row.

Moroccan king to cover star's legal fees in French rape case

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 14:45:26 +0100

Morocco's King Mohammed VI will cover the legal fees of pop singer Saad Lamjarred, imprisoned in France charged with "aggravated rape", the official MAP news agency reported on Tuesday.

Elton John sues French media over 'rumours'

Sat, 15 Aug 2015 13:34:10 +0200

Elton John's lawyer announced on Friday that he was pursuing three French media outlets for publishing what he called "unfounded rumours" about the British pop star's health and that of his husband.

The legal woes of Nicolas Sarkozy

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 18:45:06 +0100

Nicolas Sarkozy appears in front of a judge on Thursday over charges that his 2007 electoral campaign was illegally financed by France's richest woman. But the Bettencourt hearing is just one of a number of legal problems facing France's ex-president.

France cracks down on illegal downloading

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:21:41 +0200

The agency charged with implementing France’s tough digital piracy laws has sent out third-strike warnings to people accused of illegally downloading or sharing copyrighted material. Those targeted could face the loss of their internet connections and fines.

UMP backs tougher immigration rules

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:16:00 +0200

In the lead-up to presidential elections in 2012, the Union for a Popular Movement party has released its ideas for a more “muscular” stance on immigration, especially the illegal variety.

Court fines family over adopted fox

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 13:45:00 +0200

A French court has ordered a family to give up the wild fox they adopted over a year ago. A judge fined them €300 for "keeping a non-domestic animal without authorization."

Chirac to go on trial for corruption

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:48:00 +0200

France's former leader Jacques Chirac is to be tried in September for corruption relating to his time as Paris mayor in the 1990s, a judge said on Monday.

Thales must pay Taiwan 500 million - court

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:27:00 +0200

A French court ordered defence giant Thales to pay the Taiwanese navy more than 500 million dollars on Thursday, rejecting the group's appeal against a 2010 abritration ruling.