Bill to Guarantee Every Child's Right to Legal Representation in Educational Assistance and Child Protection Proceedings

This French bill, introduced on December 11, 2025, proposes to make legal representation by a lawyer mandatory for every minor involved in an educational assistance (assistance éducative) or child protection proceeding. Under current law, children have the option to request a lawyer in such proceedings, but this right is not systematically enforced or guaranteed. The reform would transform what is currently a discretionary faculty — meaning a child may choose to be assisted by a lawyer — into a binding legal obligation applicable in all cases. This ensures that no minor faces child protection or educational supervision proceedings without legal counsel, regardless of family circumstances, age, or awareness of the right. The bill aligns French child protection law more closely with international standards, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which emphasizes the child's right to be heard and to receive adequate support in legal proceedings affecting them. It also addresses systemic inequalities where children from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to exercise optional rights. If enacted, the measure would have significant implications for the judicial aid system (aide juridictionnelle), bar associations, and juvenile courts, requiring increased resources and coordination to guarantee universal legal representation for all minors in these sensitive proceedings.

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