The Paris Bar
The legal profession in France, which is liberal and independent, is organized in bars. Each Bar is administered by a conseil de l'Ordre, composed of lawyers elected by their peers for three years and renewable by a third each year.
The conseil de l'Ordre is chaired by the President of the Bar, a lawyer elected by the members of the Bar for two years. The conseil de l'Ordre is responsible for dealing with all matters relating to the practice of the profession and for ensuring that the duties of lawyers are observed and their rights are protected.
The Paris Bar, with its 30,000 lawyers, contributes to making the French capital one of the most important legal centres in the world. It is the country's leading bar association, representing nearly half of the profession in France, and plays an active role in its regulation.
With a rich history spanning several centuries, the Paris Bar is the representative and spokesperson of Parisian lawyers and the defender of their interests before the general public and French, European and international institutions.
An influential and recognized institution, the Paris Bar takes part in public debate on subjects such as the proper organisation of justice, the defence of public freedoms, equal access to the law and the defence of human rights and the rule of law throughout the world.
The Paris Bar is a real driving force that is increasingly developing internationally. More than 1872 foreign lawyers of 92 different nationalities are registered at the Paris Bar. In addition, 2,380 Parisian lawyers are registered with a foreign bar (732 with a main practice abroad). Membership has tripled in 10 years with 80 countries currently represented. The Paris law market is one of the most internationalized and active in the world and our Bar defends a tradition of exchange and openness.
The Paris Bar Association is delighted to welcome the General Congress of the European Bars Federation within its walls for the first time in its history!
