France moves forward with law guaranteeing lawyer for all children in protection proceedings

The French Parliament is set to vote in a second reading on a bill that would give every child placed under protective measures the right to legal representation. Proposed by socialist deputy Ayda Hadizadeh, the legislation follows unanimous Senate approval on 28 May and aims for implementation on 6 January 2027. Currently only about 7 % of the roughly 300 000 children involved in educational assistance or child‑protection cases have a lawyer. The bill seeks to make legal assistance absolute, removing the need to assess a child's discernment. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin raised concerns about readiness and secured a minor amendment to delay the start date, which was later reverted to the original schedule. The parliamentary debate will determine the final wording before the law is enacted.